Mountain hut in Kitzbühel. Image: Brett Ploss.

Report from January 4-5, 2023

Skiing

I started off the day with the intention to explore more of Kitzbühel. With 57 lifts and over 60 on mountain food huts, it’s nearly impossible to see it all in a day.

The Kirchberg and Kitzbühel sides were easy to get to from town, with great skiing. Although still icy, so I would suggest getting those edges done or bringing smaller waist-width carving skis.

To reach the other part of the resort, Jochberg and Mittersill, it was necessary to take the 3S-Bahn. A gondola spanning a valley and resembling the Peak 2 Peak at Whistler most of us know.

Skiing over on Jochberg turned out to be better than I expected. The ice was not as bad, and some runs reminded me of Colorado glades. Near Resterhöhe, there are nice wide open runs as five lifts span the valley face.

On the Mittersill side of KitzSki. Image: Brett Ploss.

Getting over to this side and back would have been manageable in a day, but rare high winds closed the 3S-Bahn.

Heading back to town was not too hard, though, most busses around the towns are included with your ski pass. It was easy to ski down to Jochberg and catch the next bus back to Kitzbühel.

Food

With so many mountain hut options for food, the opportunities are endless. Unlike American resorts, huts are typically privately owned, leading to a variety of affordable options.

A typical meal comes out to about $10-$20, whereas in the US, you may be pushing $40 or more.

The food options are also much more unique and enjoyable. My highlights were the Käsespätzle (a cheese pasta) and Kaiserschmarrn (a Tyrolean pancake).

Kaiserschmarrn in Kitzbühel. Image: Brett Ploss.

I’m quite surprised we don’t have these options at North American resorts.

Käsespätzle in Kitzbühel. Image: Brett Ploss.

Airbags

Europe has a unique culture when it comes to freestyle skiing. Airbags are common and free to use.

These are large, much like bouncy house blow-ups in the landings of jumps where skiers can perfect tricks with minimal risk of injury.

View of a European freestyle airbag. Image: Brett Ploss.

I was able to get a few laps in here and gain more confidence in the air.

Après

Last but not least, Austria is well known for the “après schi” scene.

It isn’t just sitting at a bar and having a beer/food at the bottom of the slopes. No, there are bars lining the mountain open until 7 PM. And yes, it does get pitch black dark by 4:30.

Hammerschlagen at après schi. Image: Brett Ploss.

It’s typical to see skiers attempting to ski down 1000+ vertical feet after a few drinks in the dark. At some points, there are sheets of ice on runs steep enough that a fall would cause you to slide to the bottom.

Under the B2 Maierbahn gondola, Skihütte Oberkaser, Maierl, and Schialm were the highlights. From congo lines to fancy DJs and trumpet players dancing on tables, this encompasses Austrian skiing.