Being the absolute highlight of every World Cup season, the Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel are set to begin on January 19th 2024 and last until January 21th 2024. Two downhill runs and one slalom race are on the program for the 84nd edition. The prize money this year is once again the highest of the entire season: almost one million euros will be distributed in total. The winners of the races alone will each receive just 100,000 euros.
Downhill on the Streif
The highlight of the Kitzbühel weekend is the spectacular Streif downhill race, which will take place on Friday, January 19, and Saturday, January 20, starting at 11:30. With jumps of up to 80 meters, maximum inclines of 80% and speeds as fast as 140 kilometers per hour, the course offers as much excitement as one can possibly expect.
Referring to the Mausefalle, Steilhang and Hausbergkante, even 5-time champion Didier Cuche once said „I think we're crazy!“. With bad weather, the course can get extremely dangerous, with severe falls happening frequently on the Streif.
The Streif: dates and facts
| slope length | 3,312 meters |
|---|---|
| starting point | Hahnenkamm mountain station (1,665 meters) |
| finishing point | Rasmusleiten (805 meters) |
| altitude difference | 860 meters |
| maximum speed | up to 140 kilometers per hour in the finish area (average of 103 kilometers per hour during the entire race) |
| maximum incline | 85 percent in the Mausefalle |
| longest jumps | 80 meters in the Mausefalle and during finishing jump |
| course record | 1:51:58 minutes by Fritz Strobl (AUT) in 1997 |
| most wins | Didier Cuche (SUI), 5 wins |
| 2023 champion | Vincent Kriechmayr (SUI) |
| price money 2024 | 333.500 Euro |
By the way: The Streif is open for everyone during the winter. However, they key areas - Mausefalle, Steilhang and Hausbergkante - are extremely icy, so only the most advanced skiers are advised to go there. The „Family Streif“ (Familienstreif) is better suited to intermediate skiers, as it avoids the most difficult parts of the slope.
Slalom skiing at the Ganslernhang
A fixed part of the Hahnekamm races is also the slalom. This year it will take place on Sunday, January 21, in Kitzbühel. The 1st run starts at 10.30 a.m., the second run at 1.30 p.m.
International ski races have been held on the Ganslern slope, which takes its name from the Gänsbach stream flowing nearby, since as early as 1937. Even if it doesn't look very steep at first glance, the Ganslern slope in Kitzbühel has it all. Salom specialist Felix Neureuther describes the 590-meter-long course as "treacherous". This is because the terrain contains many edges and bumps, so that no two turns are the same.
Dates and facts about the Slalom race at the Ganslernhang
| slope length | 590 meters |
|---|---|
| starting point | mountain station Ganslern-Bahn (1,004 meters) |
| finishing point | Naturstadion (811 meters) |
| altitude difference | 193 meters |
| maximum incline | 70 percent (35 percent average throughout the course) |
| most wins | Ingemar Stenmark (SWE), 5 wins |
| 2023 champion | Daniel Yule (SUI) |
| price money 2024 | 333.500 Euro |
Thousands of spectators expected
With up to 85,000 spectators over three days, the Kitzbühel races are absolute crowd favorites in the Ski World Cup. Many celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger do not miss out on this highlight. The supporting program with numerous wild parties in the Tyrolean ski resort is almost as legendary as the races and makes numerous headlines in the media every year.
Tickets still available
Tickets for the Hahnenkamm Races are only available online. No tickets will be sold on site. Standing room tickets start at 30 euros for adults and are available from the Kitzbühel Ski Club Ticket Shop. Youths cost 15 euros and children born in 2010 and younger have free admission.
To prevent black market sales, grandstand and group tickets for the races will not be sold online. If you want to have one, you have to send a mail with your ticket request to ticket@hahnenkamm.com. Grandstand prices starts at 220 euros per person.
Tip for those looking to save money: On the two training days in the run-up to the races, admission is free and you can watch the stars and their runs on the Streif from up close - without large crowds.
