The Streif at Kitzbühel stands alone in alpine skiing. This is the race every downhill skier dreams of winning and fears in equal measure. It is, quite simply, the most famous and demanding downhill course in the world.
The Numbers
The Streif drops 860 meters over 3.3 kilometers, averaging a 27% gradient. But those statistics hide the truth. Some sections approach 85% gradient—nearly vertical. Athletes reach speeds over 140 km/h while negotiating terrain that would stop most skiers cold.
The Hahnenkamm race typically lasts under two minutes, but those 120 seconds can define careers or end them.
The Sections
Mausefalle (Mousetrap): The course begins with an 85% drop, one of the steepest race sections anywhere. Athletes are essentially in freefall before the first turn.
Steilhang: A brutally steep face where athletes must maintain edge control while accelerating. The compression at the bottom tests every joint.
Alte Schneise: High-speed gliding where aerodynamic position determines advantage.
Seidlalm Jump: Athletes launch 80+ meters through the air before landing on a transition that hammers legs.
Traverse: A relatively flat section where athletes recover before the final push.
Hausbergkante: The final steep section before the finish, where legs burning from fatigue must still find edge grip.
The Atmosphere
The Hahnenkamm weekend transforms Kitzbühel. Over 100,000 spectators crowd the course, creating an atmosphere unlike any other ski race. The town becomes a festival of skiing, with celebrities, former champions, and dedicated fans gathering to witness the spectacle.
Austrian TV draws millions of viewers. Winning here means instant national hero status.
The Legends
Winning the Streif once is exceptional. Winning it multiple times is legendary. Franz Klammer's 1976 run remains one of the most celebrated moments in skiing history. Didier Cuche won five times. Karl Schranz, Josef Strobl, and Fritz Strobl have all conquered this mountain.
Modern champions like Vincent Kriechmayr have added their names to the honor roll of Streif victors.
The Dangers
The Streif has claimed its share of victims. Horrific crashes have ended careers and caused life-changing injuries. Every racer who starts respects what the mountain can do.
Yet they return, year after year, drawn by the challenge and the glory that comes with conquering skiing's ultimate test.
The Future
As technology advances and athletes push harder, the Streif continues to evolve. Safety improvements protect racers without diminishing the challenge. The Hahnenkamm remains what it has always been: the pinnacle of downhill racing.