Skiing the Streif – the legendary downhill in Kitzbühel

The Streif in Kitzbühel is the most famous downhill ski run in the world – extremely steep, incredibly fast and legendary thanks to the annual Hahnenkamm race.
This blog post was written by René Schwarte, founder and co-owner of Ferienhaus Tirol.

The Streif: why this downhill run is so exceptional

Die Streif ist keine gewöhnliche Skipiste, sondern eine Ikone des alpinen Skisports. Jedes Jahr wird hier das weltberühmte Hahnenkammrennen ausgetragen, das als eine der schwierigsten Abfahrten im Weltcup gilt. Extreme Steilpassagen, sehr hohe Geschwindigkeiten und eine oft eisige Piste machen die Streif weltweit einzigartig.

Location and surroundings

The Streif is located above Kitzbühel, in the Kitzbühel Alps. The start is on the Hahnenkamm, while the finish is right in the valley, close to the town centre of Kitzbühel.

Nearby villages:
Kitzbühel, Kirchberg in Tirol, Jochberg and Reith bei Kitzbühel.

Altitude, length and steepness

• Start: approx. 1,665 m
  
• Finish: approx. 805 m
  
• Vertical drop: around 860 m
  
• Length: approx. 3.3 km
  
• Maximum gradient: up to 85% (the infamous Mausefalle)
  
• Famous key sections include the Mausefalle, Steilhang, Brückenschuss and Hausbergkante.

Can recreational skiers ski the Streif?

Yes – but only if you are very experienced and technically strong. Outside race periods, parts of the original Streif may be open, but the slope remains extremely demanding. Many skiers prefer the Familien-Streif, a modified version that follows the same route but with less extreme gradients.

KitzSki ski area

The Streif is part of​​​​​​​ KitzSki, one of Austria’s most renowned winter sports destinations. It offers:

• over 230 km of pistes
  
• a wide selection of blue and red runs
  
• modern lifts and gondolas
  
• excellent mountain huts and restaurants

This makes Kitzbühel attractive not only for expert skiers, but also for a varied and high-quality ski holiday.
👉 View our holiday homes in Kirchberg and Kitzbuehel here

Who is skiing the Streif suitable for?

• ✔ Very advanced and athletic skiers
  
• ✔ Fans of World Cup racing and ski history
  
• ✖ Beginners and intermediate skiers

Even if you do not ski the Streif yourself, the run leaves a strong impression. Its extreme steepness and technical challenge become especially clear when viewed from the side. During the Hahnenkamm race, the slope is intentionally prepared hard and icy, reinforcing its legendary status.

Frequently asked questions about the Streif

Do you need a special ski pass to ski the Streif?
No. The Streif is simply part of the KitzSki ski area (Kitzbühel/Kirchberg) and is included in the regular KitzSki ski pass. You do not need any separate or additional pass to ski this slope.

Is the Streif easier to ski with fresh snow or on hard-packed pistes?
From a technical point of view, the Streif is easiest to ski on a hard, stable and well-prepared surface. With fresh snow, piles or bumps, the descent becomes more difficult and less predictable for recreational skiers.

Is the Streif often closed for safety reasons?
Yes. In case of poor visibility, extreme iciness, increased avalanche risk or during course preparations around the Hahnenkamm race, (parts of) the Streif may be temporarily closed while other slopes remain open. Any closure is always put in place to protect skier safety.

Can you ski the Streif without actually “jumping”?
Yes. The big jumps, such as at the Mausefalle or Hausbergkante, are characteristic of the World Cup course and the racers’ high speeds. Recreational skiers can usually keep their skis on the snow and ski the same line in a controlled way if they adjust their speed. By keeping your tempo moderate, you tend to “flow” over most jumps instead of really taking off.