Where to Ski And Snowboard - Top new year and January events in Kitzbühel

Top new year and January events in Kitzbühel

10th December 2018, by Abi Butcher

The ski resort of Kitzbühel has top events throughout January. Pic: Michael Werlberger

If you are thinking of skiing over New Year or in January, the traditional and iconic Austrian ski resort of Kitzbühel has events on throughout the month to keep skiers entertained on and off the piste.

New Year is always a special time in ski resorts — none more so than in Kitzbühel, where tens of thousands of people gather to celebrate the new year in style, and three whole days of firework celebrations.

The crescendo to the New Year festival takes place on New Year’s Day, when the resort holds the “Rasmusleiten”, a spectacular (and free) event beginning with torchlit-skiing from the Red Devils and Element3 ski schools, fire jumping, music and finishing with an enormous firework display curated by the world-famous Pyro professional Armin Lukasser. All this takes place near the finishing point of the famous Hahnenkamm race, next to the Rasmushof hotel. This winter’s Rasmusleiten event will be the 65th anniversary of this unique celebration.

This is preceded by two events at outlying villages. On 30 December there’s a “Ski and Fun Party” display by children in ski school and a firework display on the side of the piste at Reith. On 31 December, New Year’s Eve, there’s a party with fireworks and torches, followed by a concert by a local band in the Wagstättparkplatz at Jochberg.

The 17th Snow Polo World Cup runs 17-20 Jan. Pic: Michael Werlberger

Later in the month, there’s fast action at the 17th Snow Polo World Cup, one of the largest polo tournaments on snow, held on the outskirts of Kitzbühel from 17-20 January. Spectators can watch the action — with the beautiful backdrop of the Wilder Kaiser — for free at Münichau Stadium. If you want to mingle with the polo players themselves, there’s a ticketed Saturday night party on 19 January in a tent on the polo field — tickets available to buy locally.

The 79th Hahnenkamm takes place 20-27 Jan. Pic: Michael Werlberger

Then, at the end of January, Kitzbühel will host the 79th Hahnenkamm race. From 20-27 January, the world’s best skiers will descend on the Tyrolean resort to take part in what is dubbed the most spectacular ski race in the world, on the Streif. Instead of joining in the millions who view the race on television all over the world — why not be there to soak up the action live? The Streif contains jumps of up to 80m, gradients of up to 85% and skiers will hurtle down the course at speeds of up to 140kmph. While the races and downhill training will kick off on Saturday 19 January, the big events start on Friday 25 January with the Super-G, followed by the downhill on Saturday 26 January and the slalom on Sunday 27 January. Spectators can purchase admission tickets to the Hahnenkamm here.

Kitzbühel knows how to do fireworks properly. Pic: Michael Werlberger

If all that wasn’t enough, there’s another massive firework display on Saturday 26 January, when Kitzbühel will come alive for the prize-giving ceremony.

For more information on these and all of the events in Kitzbühel this ski season, visit kitzbuehel.com/en