Kirchberg in Tirol

Kirchberg in Tirol, Austria

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Kirchberg in Tirol

Kirchberg, on the other side of the mountain from Kitzbühel, gives access to the famous skiing without the queues. It's a very pleasant village too, with a lively centre.

Summary

The Austrian ski resort of Kirchberg in Tirol is in the Austrian Alps at an altitude of 860m2,822ft, with 158km98 miles of marked runs.

Kirchberg in Tirol is part of the Kitzbüheler Alpen ski area with access to 595km370 miles of downhill skiing, with 344 marked pistes, served by a total of 197 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Kirchberg in Tirol itself (158km98 miles of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Kitzbüheler Alpen ski resorts of Kirchdorf and Waidring.

Ski Area Stats

Kirchberg in Tirol Overview

Kirchberg, on the other side of the mountain from Kitzbühel, 6km (4 miles) away by road, is a great choice for anyone wanting access to the famous skiing without the queues, crowds or prices. It is not a rural idyll during the season either, however, as it has a lively centre with plenty of 'happening' nightspots and a busy feel.

In many ways it is the mirror of Kitzbühel without the sometimes pretentious side of its neighbour's cosmopolitan clientelle. It is perhaps a good illustration of the slightly different attitude of Kirchberg to Kitzbühel in that the former lists its 100 farms amongst its assets, which together own 1,500 cows, 300 sheep and 75 horses.

 Notable Ski Runs

The longest possible descent in Kirchberg in Tirol is 7km4 miles long and the most difficult run is the 'Skiroute Streif Rennstrecke', which is 2km1 miles in length.

Skiing

Although best-known for being lift-linked to its famous neighbour, Kitzbühel, the lifts in fact go on to join other resorts in addition. These include Aschau, Aurach, Jochberg - Pass Thurn and Mittersill with 200km (125 miles) of trails - together one of the largest linked ski areas in Austria and the world, with a ski bus service on the roads between the resorts below. It's just the tip of the iceberg for those with their own transport too, because skiers can now purchase the Kitzbüheler Alpen Ski Pass, good at about 30 ski areas in the Region, some lift-linked, others not, but together offering up to 680km (425 miles) of trails.

The ski bus service is quite important because, unless you stay in accommodation out of the village centre and near to the lift bases, you're likely to need to use the bus to get from your hotel to the slopes. Beginners will often find their feet on Kirchberg's own un-linked ski mountain, Gaisberg, with its gentle slopes; more experienced skiers will beat most of Kitzbühel's clientele on to the Hahnenkamm by taking one of the less-crowded routes up from outside the village.

Long term meteorological studies have shown that Kirchberg's local slopes have a good snow record, averaging 124 days of cover per year, and 50% of the slopes are backed up by snow making equipment to be doubly safe. There are five ski schools operating in the area: the Schischule Kirchberg, Skischule Kirchberg Activ, Skischule KiWest and a Privat Skischule with Schischule Aschau based in the neighbouring village. All five offer a variety of tuition programs for all levels.

Night skiing was introduced recently, accessed via the Gaisfeg chairlift.

There are even more cross-country trails than downhill piste, just, with 220km (137 miles) of prepared tracks around the Kitzbühel Valley (45km / 28 miles locally).

There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.

Snowboarding

Snowboarders are welcome on all pistes with the runs near the Fleckalmbahn and Penglstein particularly popular. Both the main ski schools offer snowboarding courses. The local snowboard park with half pipe is supplemented by an additional one across on the Kitzbühelerhorn.

Aprés Ski

Kirchberg has a very lively centre which attracts young Germans and Dutch in particular. Popular spots include the Londoner Pub (not to be confused with the equally popular establishment of the same name in Kitzbühel) and le Boomerang. Night time toboggan runs, sleigh rides or other 'Tyrolean themed' evenings are also popular. In the latter category a spot of accordion music and trying your voice box for yodelling talent is always amusing.

Many visitors are unable to resist an evening trip to the bright lights of Kitzbühel, perhaps taking in the heavily promoted casino there.