Kirchberg is a popular ski village in the Austrian Tyrol. The village is known for its cozy atmosphere in the center of the village and the beautiful ski area “Skigrossraum Kitzbühel”. With no less than 185 kilometers of slopes and the possibility to ski towards both Kitzbühel and Westendorf (via the Ki-West gondola). Here’s my Kirchberg Travel Guide based on my ski trip in 2024 (3 days).
Where to stay in Kirchberg?
We stayed in Apart Sonne. Located 15 minutes from the center and 20 minutes from the bus stop (to catch the slopes). The Apart Sonne has a small parking lot. The rooms have a little kitchen and bathroom. Here are 3 other accommodations that I recommend:
Things to do in Kirchberg
1) Ski winter sport in Kirchberg
So no shocker but the first thing to do is skiing in Kirchberg! Kirchbergs has 185 kilometers of slopes and you can ski towards both Kitzbühel and Westendorf. With a total of 430 km of slopes in the Kitzbühel-Kirchberg area, you can enjoy yourself here for days.
SKIING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
If you’ve never skied before, here are a few tips:
- Relax. The more relaxed you are, the better you’ll be able to use and control your muscles and movements. Easier said than done after I had to go on a red slope. 😉
- Wear or rent proper ski gear. If the boots don’t match, go change!
- You will not learn to ski in just 3 days, you will need 7. Even after that, it is recommended to take ski lessons on the first day of your next ski trip to refresh your skills!
- Rent a locker. Go to the ski depot or other places where you can rent a locker for your ski gear!
2) Après-ski in Kirchberg
The most famous (or notorious?) Après-ski in Serfaus Eisbar Kirchberg Apresskicafé and the Tiroler. There are Apres-ski on the slopes, but there are also some in the valley for those not wanting to ski down after having a drink!
3) Enjoy Austrian food and drinks
Enjoy some pasta, kaiserschmarrn, Schnitzel, dumplings with schweingebrat or a delicious Beer. Try to sit on an outdoor terrace to enjoy some rays as well!
Asado’s: On the edge of the village is the Argentinian steak restaurant Asado’s. Are you a real meat lover? Then a visit to Asado’s, an Argentinian steak restaurant, is a must! Please note that you must reserve in advance.
Schneewittchen: On the way to the valley station of the Maierlbahn or the Fleckalmbahn there is a mountain hut called the Schi-Alm. The Schi-Alm is recognizable because it is the only hut with a gigantic orange cow on the roof. They have a wide range of hot dishes and drink like the hot drink Schneewittchen (Snow White)- a glass of white hot chocolate with amaretto and whipped cream.
Burgundian BBQ: The Kupferstube restaurant only serves dishes made from regional products.
4) Night tobogganing (Rodelen)
Go down the mountain on a sled for a change (evening)! On the Gaisberg in Kirchberg, you can take the night lift, and then race down the 3.5 km long race track at super speed. Halfway down the slope is the Rodelhutte Obergaisberg, where you can take a short break. From Tuesday to Saturday, it is possible to toboggan in the evening until 23:00.
5) Hiking/snowshoeing in Kirchberg
Kirchberg has wonderful hikes in the surrounding area and the option to include a local guide who will point out all the fun facts about the area. When there is a lot of snow, you can do the tour with ‘snowshoes’.
6) Kaiser Mountains
From the slopes of Kirchberg, you have a view of the beautiful Kaiser Mountains. This mountain range is the origin of many mystical sagas because of the characteristic rock formations. The rocks were used to develop and test new climbing techniques.
7) Snow-farming
A special technique that makes Kirchberg special is ‘snow-farming’: this practice ensures that you can explore the first slopes of Kirchberg from October already! Snowfarming is storing the snow from the previous season under large tarpaulins and spreading them over the slopes again in the new season.
What to pack for Kirchberg during ski season?
Make sure to bring these top 5 items on your trip to Kirchberg:
- Lip balm: I always pack my Buttercream lip balm, and my lips are soft in no time! Use one with SPF.
- Camera: to take amazing photos of your trip!
- Ski And Snowboard Gear: to go skiing (you can also rent them)
- Microfiber towel: compact towel to take everywhere with you & that dries quickly!
- Gloves & mittens: waterproof and insulated ski gloves or mittens
Use my ultimate winter ski packing list to have everything in your luggage for your trip.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Kirchberg
⛷️ Is Kirchberg worth visiting for skiing?
Yes! Kirchbergs has 185 kilometers of slopes, and you can ski towards both Kitzbühel and Westendorf. With a total of 430 km of slopes in the Kitzbühel-Kirchberg area, you can enjoy yourself here for days.
🛟 Is Kirchberg safe for tourists?
Yes, it is safe in Kirchberg. Just keep an eye on your drinks at the bars to avoid being spiked.
🚗 How to get to Kirchberg?
I’ve always come by car or by bus. Depending on the end destination in Austria, it’s been an 8-10-hour drive from Belgium.
In order to drive in Austria, you need to have snow tires on your car and to have snow chains in your car (so they don’t need to be set up already, you just need to have them present in the car).
Don’t forget that if you’re driving in Germany (to get to Austria), you might need a vignette for your car. Order this in advance, as this can take a while.
🛌 Where to stay in Kirchberg?
We stayed in Apart Sonne. Located 15 minutes from the center and 20 minutes from the bus stop (to catch the slopes). The Apart Sonne has a small parking lot. The rooms have a little kitchen and bathroom.
🧳 What should I pack for Kirchberg?
Use my ultimate winter ski packing list to make packing easy!
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