Kitzbuhel is a legendary ski resort where skiing originated back in 1893 when Franz Reisch first skied the Kitzbuhler Horn on wooden barrel skis. That launched an alpine evolution, and Kitzbühel has been on the fast track ever since. Now Kitz is where wealthy skiers, fast Downhill racers, and chic celebs come to ski and après ski.
Today Kitzbuhel is considered a top ski resort in the world, home to the legendary Hahnenkamm race on the most challenging Streif downhill course for men, now an 85 year tradition. But for the rest of us skiers, Kitzbuhel is the epitome of the skiing lifestyle, with spectacular Alps views, sophisticated ski lifts, lots of terrain, and fabulous mountain huts, over 50 huts on the slopes above the pretty alpine village.
We love the Austrian huts and mountain chalet restaurants – it’s a highlight to our day skiing the Alps. Here, fantastic mountain panoramas can be enjoyed from sun terraces or cozy alpine wood interiors. Lederhosen and dirndl wearing servers deliver pints of beer, gluhwein, homemade soup and Wiener schnitzel, hearty local fare, plus coffee and schnapps and Kiaserschmarnn dessert.
With over 50 huts on Kitzbuhel’s slopes to ski to, here are just a few we enjoyed and recommend.
Fleck Alm above the Penglestein gonodola in Kirchberg is a favorite. This family-owned hut is charming, since 1897! Sit on the sun deck or in the cozy wood interior. We had one of best lunches in Kitzbuhel here. Try the Berner Wurst – a cheese and bacon stuffed local sausage served with pomme frites and a delicious side salad. Wow, all for under $15 Euro. Greg had a delicious pork Cordon Bleu with house-made cranberry sauce! Their authentic gluhwein was good too! The family of waitstaff are cheerful and efficient. Just sit on their sun deck with a beer and watch the skiers fly by in the afternoon. It is accessible by car which makes it popular for families and winter wanderers.
Seidlalm has the best view of the Hahnenkamm race trail and town – its halfway down the Streif on your return ski to Kitzbuhel village. The historic Hut is run by three gals. Its legendary as Bobbie Beattie, Serge Lange and Honore Bonnet sat here and contrived the World Cup ski race concept in 1966. Imagine that conversation overlooking the Streif which had already become well established in alpine competitive sports at the time, along with Wengen’s Lauberhorn. By the way, this is the hut to reserve (far in advance) for an outside table for the Hahnenkamm as the race goes right by on the steep Streif trail. Its also the last ski stop on your descent. As locals in the know say, “Why don’t we stop by for a Seidl, or two or three?”
Berggasthof Sonnbühel is one of the oldest mountain huts, and its popular among the chic Kitzbuhel ski crowd, locals and the celebs from away, for its gourmet lunches and for its après ski which often includes live music and champagne popping.
Schi Alm in Kirchberg is so much fun. Look for the Red Cow on the roof as you are skiing down to the Pengelstein gondola base. This cool umbrella bar and ski hut has great lunches inside or out. I loved my fitness salad, Greg had a great rosti. The waitresses are sassy and dressed for tips. In fact, at Schi Alm three times a week at Schi Alm, the hut turns into a wild après ski dance party at 4pm with the Dance Angels. You’ll either need to ski down into Kirchberg – which is 15 minutes bus back to Kitzbuhel, or call a cab to get down from the mountainside.
Chalet Barenbad has the best goulash soup in a cozy bar, near the 3s Gondola – an 8-minute ride across the valley (an amazing lift connecting Hahnenkamm peak Jochburg. If you have non-skiers in your family, meet at the lodge atop the Hahnekamm Gondola and race course, this beautiful panoramic lodge is popular for après ski on Saturdays.
Melk Alm we did not visit but it came highly recommend by Austrin friends, next ski trip to Kitzbuhel for sure.
Ski huts at Kitzbuhel’s Jochberg – Mittersill
Panorama Alm at the Hartkaserbahn lift on the Jochberg side has a huge sun terrace, with a retractable roof, plus a cozy interior, but definitely sit on the terrase by the bar for the best views and vibes. We enjoyed great pizza here. This big fun place rocks from noon on into the ski afternoon, even though patrons still have to ski down.
We enjoyed lunch at Toni Alm skiing to Jochberg near the G9 Panorama Lift. Above the town of Mittersill, this is furthest south of Kitzbühel’s ski terrain. Look for the Veuve yellow umbrellas and chaise lounges as you ski in, and enjoy traditional Tyrol fare here, and don’t miss the house schnapps!
In Kitzbuhel village for Après ski
The Pavillion is a divey bar just steps from the Hanhnekamm gondolas base. This small hut rocks after skiing, with folks dancing in ski boots. The shot skis and pear schnapps glasses go down like racers on the Streif every January.
Mocking Wirtshaus is literally where you take your skis off as you come to then end of your ski run to Kitzbuhel village, so why not pop in for an apres ski beer, wine or cocktail. This apres ski hub has a few bars, fireplaces, and a food truck. Ironically, Mocking transforms to a fancy dinner spot at night with Chef table meals inside the swanker restaurant adjacent to the bar. Make reservations to dine here, but you should probably change out of your ski togs and ski boots too.
La Monte just above the Hahnenkamm Gondola in Kitzbuhle village is where the bougie, chicly attired skiers go for après ski cocktails and a lite bite. In the exclusive La Monte Hotel, this Bistro in Kitzbühel serves craft cocktails, champagne, charcutery plates, and pizzas to the well-heeled skiers in Kitzbuhel. Don your Bogner, Toni Saler, Prada, J Goldberg, or Moncler to see and be seen here (some didn’t look like they’d actually skied). Most aprés ski evenings, there’s a DJ in La Monte’s mod alpine bar and lounge. You can also sit outside overlooking the gondola base near fire pits.
El Moro de Venice is a cozy gem for dinner in downtown Kitzbuhel beyond the bridge and church tower. This cozy chef-owned Italian spot serves authentic Italian, delicious pizzas and pastas, plus salads, and wines. Its super affordable (especially for Kitzbuhel standards) and casual, the Chef’s wife waits on you while her husband works in the kitchen. Make reservations as the dining space is small, and its popular among locals and visitors once they discover El Moro.
See our review of skiing Kitzbuhel, and the Tirol of Austria, and all of Austria’s skiing for that matter – this small country has over 400 ski areas! If you are looking for more amazing on mountain ski chalets, see our review of the Arlberg and St Anton’s huts, or Ischgl for the best aprés ski in Austria.
“Apres ski is my favorite sport” – said too many skiers to count.
