Ski Austria Like a Local with Katie Burrell - Kitzbühel

Featured Image: Courtesy of Tourism Austria

Austria has long held a special place in the wide world of skiing. It’s where some of the sport’s most recognizable brands have cut their teeth. It’s where racing and freeskiing shake hands, with groomers, freeride, and park all meeting at the highest level. It’s been home to hundreds of legendary segments in some of the best ski films ever made. But the cameras and competitions are just the beginning. The ski scene here is an other-worldly experience in the best possible way, and like anywhere, it’s best when skied like a local. 

That’s what Katie Burrell found out during her trip across the pond last winter. In this seven-part series, Canada’s favorite leisure athlete dives into the culture and explores seven distinct areas: Paznaun-Ischgl, Arlberg, Sölden, Kitzbühel, SkiWelt, Zell am See and Schladming.

Episode Four takes us to the one and only Kitzbühel, where the sheer number of runs is the only thing that tops the amenities. With 58 chairlifts, 145 miles of runs, and nearly 4,000 vertical feet of skiing, Kitzbühel blends luxury with true Austrian skiing like nowhere else.

Burrell finds this out firsthand, as she and expert guide Sam ski and snack their way across the miles and miles of stellar groomers. With so much great piste skiing, it only makes sense that Kitzbühel is the home of the first-ever Ski World Cup. If long runs, aprés Schnaps, and a lifestyle with international flair are what you’re looking for, then you’ve found your bucket list trip.