Kitzbühel après-ski starts at the foot of the Hahnenkamm, in the bars around the Hahnenkammbahn valley station, as the lifts close. Later in the evening it moves into the old town's pubs and bars, and it peaks at weekends, over New Year and during the Hahnenkamm race week. It's lively and a little smarter than in a village resort, but it's built around a real town rather than all-afternoon table dancing on the mountain.
Après-ski in Kitzbühel follows a simple pattern. You finish the day at the bottom of the Hahnenkamm, have a drink or two in the bars by the cable car, go back to the hotel, and later head into the old town. Where you finish skiing changes the first stop, so this page is organised by where you are when the lifts close.
If you’re still planning the skiing itself, read our guide to skiing in Kitzbühel first. The venues named below are listed on Kitzbühel Tourismus’s own après-ski page as of November 2026. We haven’t reviewed them, and we don’t give opening times or prices because they change; check each venue before you go.
What Kitzbühel après-ski is like
It’s lively, social and centred on the town. The tourist board describes the mood building through the afternoon, peaking as the lifts close and running into the early evening before people move on to bars in the centre.
Compared with Ischgl or St Anton, there’s less of an all-afternoon party on the slopes. The draw here is that the evening has somewhere to go: an old town with pubs, restaurants and clubs, all walkable from the Hahnenkammbahn.
Who it’s not for: families with small children who want quiet evenings will find the Hahnenkamm base loud between late afternoon and dinner, and anyone hoping for a calm hotel bar should stay a little out of the centre. Neither is a reason to skip Kitzbühel, but book with it in mind.
At the bottom of the Hahnenkamm
This is the busiest après spot in Kitzbühel. The Hahnenkammbahn valley station sits at the edge of town, at the foot of the Streif, and the bars around it catch skiers coming down at the end of the day.
Two places are listed here by the tourist board. The Hahnenkamm Pavillon is directly across from the Hahnenkammbahn bottom station, about five minutes’ walk from the centre. The Legenden Café is right next to the valley station. Both are close to the train station and bus stop, which matters at the end of the night.
Expect it to be full in the hour after the lifts close, especially on sunny weekends. If you’d rather sit down, arrive earlier or come back after dinner when the first wave has moved on.
On the mountain before the last run
There’s a scene on the mountain too, but you still have to ski down. The tourist board lists Schilala at the Seidlalm, with a sunny terrace, and the Sonnenrast, in the middle of the ski area about 150 m from the Fleckalmbahn.
Our advice is simple: have the drink on the mountain early, and ski the last run home before the light goes flat. Red runs in fading light on tired legs are where accidents happen. If you’d rather take the gondola down, check that it’s running at the time you need it. For food rather than drinks, see mountain restaurants on the slopes for lunch, and where to eat in town once you’ve changed.
Kitzbüheler Horn and quieter options
The Horn side of KitzSki is the calmer choice. The tourist board’s après list has nothing at the Horn to match the Hahnenkamm base, and it’s the side we’d pick for families or anyone who wants a drink with a view rather than a party.
The trade-off is that you’ll miss the main après scene unless you come over to the Hahnenkamm side afterwards. Both lift bases are on the edge of town, so it’s easy to do both on foot.
Into town in the evening
After dinner, the action moves into the Vorderstadt and Hinterstadt, the two main streets of the old town. The Londoner, a pub in the heart of town, is the best-known name; the tourist board notes it celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026. There are many other bars and clubs within a few minutes’ walk of each other.
Dress changes too. Ski gear is fine at the valley-station bars, but the old town is smarter in the evening, and most people go back to change first. It’s also the moment to swap ski boots for proper shoes: the cobbles and side streets get icy after dark.
Kirchberg and the other villages
If you finish skiing on the far sides of KitzSki, you don’t have to come back to Kitzbühel for après. The tourist board lists the Gamsstadl beside the Fleckalmbahn valley station on the Kirchberg side, the Hofalm next to the Wagstättbahn gondola in Jochberg, and the Affenstadl and Panorama Alm at Pass Thurn.
These suit people staying in those villages. The catch is getting back to Kitzbühel afterwards: plan the bus, train or taxi before your first drink, not after your last.
Race week and New Year
These are the busiest nights of the season. During race weekend on the Streif in January, the Hahnenkamm base and the old town are packed from the afternoon, and the evening ceremonies in the finish area keep the crowds in town. Over the New Year celebrations the town is just as full.
If you want a table anywhere that week, book it. If you want a quiet holiday, these aren’t the weeks to choose.
Getting home safely
Walk if you can, and don’t ski after drinking. That’s the reason to stay within walking distance of the centre.
The town’s public transport page lists e-taxis at Kitzbühel station, and the regional VVT and ÖBB journey planners show late buses and trains to Kirchberg, St Johann and the other villages. We couldn’t confirm a dedicated night bus for winter 2026/27, so check the Kitzbühel public transport page before relying on one. Agree a taxi fare before you get in, and have the number of your hotel to hand.
On foot, watch the ice. The walk from the Hahnenkamm base into town is short, but ski boots have almost no grip on frozen cobbles.
Plan your trip
Where to stay
Compare hotels and apartments in the town centre, near the Hahnenkamm lift or in quieter Reith and Kirchberg.
Tours and activities
Book guided hikes, lessons or a day trip to Salzburg before the busy weeks fill up.
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A room in or near the old town turns the evening into a short walk home. Our guide on where to stay explains which areas are close enough.
Your first evening
Start at the Hahnenkamm base when the lifts close, go back to change, then walk into the old town for dinner and see where the night goes. If you’re still deciding whether a Kitzbühel ski week fits the budget, check lift pass prices next, and for daytime ideas off the slopes, see what else to do in Kitzbühel.
