The Best Ski Huts in the Kitzbüheler Alpen

A ‘Jagatee’ (tea with schnapps) at the tiled stove to warm up, a few hearty ‘Speckknödel’ (bacon dumplings) in your soup, or ‘Kaiserschmarrn’ (sugared pancake with raisins) in the lounge – stopping off for a nice bite to eat is quite simply part and parcel of skiing. There are 199 ski huts in the Kitzbüheler Alpen, the largest ski network in the Tyrol. Choosing is not easy and therefore we reveal five huts you should not miss out on.

Two years in a row the Harschbichl hut was voted the most popular hut in the Kitzbüheler Alpen. At 5000 feet the highest lying hut in St. Johann offers impressive views over the Wilder Kaiser and the Kitzbüheler Horn. It was cosiness and traditional values that tipped the scales in favour of the Harschbichl hut, which can now officially call itself the “very best ski hut in the Kitzbüheler Alpen”. Hut landlord Johann Berger puts his faith in tradition, with no frills. His motto for the Harschbichl hut “simple and good”, helps it stand up to strong competition in the ski area.

Alpengasthof Rigi on the sunny side of the Hohe Salve has its advantage in the breathtaking view – there are more than 70 mountains at 15000 feet altitude spanning the magnificent panorama of the sun terrace of this Alpine guest house. Looking after the guests is a family affair at this place: For 50 years the Eisenmann family is runnig the Rigi with heart and soul: from grandma to grandson, everyone lends a hand.

Bärenbadalm which opened in December 2006 in the ski area Kitzbühel/ Kirchberg is successfully bringing together Tyrolean tradition with modern zeitgeist. With its bold new interpretation of hut culture and cuisine, which is geared toward regional products, an authentic location for hospitality has cropped up on the Bärenbadkogel. On the menu, as well as wild meat they’ve hunted themselves, are also steaks from their own Angus beef herd. The views to the Grossglockner and the Grossvenediger mountains from the trendy lounge are unique and the adjoining pistes Bärnbad 1 and 2, are two of the most appealing in the whole ski area.

Whoever lies after a day on the piste in the hot waters of the Hot Pot (a giant hot tub for eight people), with a cool drink in their hand, watching the red glow of the evening sun sink behind the Alpine peaks, is sure of one thing: the Rübezahl hut in Wildschönau is one of the most beautiful huts in the Kitzbüheler Alpen. It offers a wellness range such as saunas, steam showers and an open-air hot tub. Indulge in some ‘Kaiserschmarrn’ (sugared pancake with raisins) afterwards in front of the open fire – what could be nicer?

After skiing take some time off in the Ski Hitt’n Usterwies on the Pengelstein in the Kitzbühel ski area. DJ Ötzi & co. set the mood on the sunny terrace and after a glass or two of mulled wine the text becomes immaterial –singing along is where it’s at.