Just round the corner from its more famous sister resort of Kitzbühel, the well-established yet still upcoming resort of Kirchberg is a good lower-cost alternative. Attracting couples and a younger more informal clientele, Kirchberg offers the same great ski area as Kitzbühel and an equally lively and cosmopolitan après ski scene.
Ski area
Skiing in Kirchberg offers access to one of the largest linked ski areas in Austria. Kirchberg’s principal ski area access points are the Fleckalmbahn and Maierlbahn gondolas, each based just a couple of ski-bus stops away from the centre of Kirchberg village and both serving the Ehrenbachhohe sector of the Kitzbühel-Kirchberg-Pass Thurn ski area.
Less experienced skiers can start off on the gentle slopes of Kirchberg’s own mountain, Gaisberg, where there is a small beginners’ area. While more experienced skiers can opt for the red and black ski pistes – equipped with floodlighting for night skiing. If you really want a challenge then you can try your hand at the world’s most difficult downhill run, The Hahnenkamm.
This entire area is also prime intermediate cruising territory, with a number of short black runs and a couple of ungroomed ‘ski routes’ to entertain more advanced visitors too.
The iconic Kitzbüheler Horn that pierces the horizon directly north-east of Kirchberg is another nearby ski area, of particular interest to freestyle enthusiasts as it houses a good snowpark; this separate area is accessed via a gondola based in the north-eastern suburb of Kitzbühel and is covered on the same area lift pass.
Other options from Kirchberg include the Ki-West gondola further along the Aschauer Valley to the south; this serves the Gampenkogel sector of the Westendorf ski area in the SkiWelt domain, home to one of the best snowparks in the region. Westendorf is linked via Brixen im Thale into the core SkiWelt circuit, but a more convenient access route is simply to take the short bus or train journey from Kirchberg directly to Brixen.
All ski-bus services, plus limited daytime train services between Kirchberg and Kitzbühel, are free-of-charge to area lift pass holders.
Off the slopes and apres ski
Kirchberg is a picturesque and lively village, with plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars all within walking distance. But Kirchberg really comes to life in the evening. The après ski gets going from mid-afternoon onwards at slope-side mountain bars, such as Schneebar Oberkaser on the home-run from Maierl, and the popular ice-bars and pubs of the village after the lifts close.
In the village you can find everything from a laid-back cosy pub to disco-bars where dancing on tables is encouraged. Prime venues include the renowned London Pub, the Kuhstall and the Tiroler Disco.
Kristall Spaces will soon be offering property for sale in Kirchberg.
