Being the absolute highlight of every World Cup season, the Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel are set to begin on January 24th and last until January 26th 2025. Downhill, Super-G and Slalom are on the program for the 85nd 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 Saturday, January 25, 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.
Fact about the Downhill at the Streif
| 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 km/h in the finish area (average of 103 km/h during the entire race) |
| maximum incline | 85 % at the Mausefalle |
| longest jumps | 80 meters at 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 |
| 2024 champion | 2x Cyprien Sarrazin (FRA) |
| price money 2025 | 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.
Super-G on the Streif Alp
After a four-year break, Super-G is back on the programme in Kitzbühel this year. This will take place at the start of the race weekend on Friday, January 24, from 11.30 am on the Streifalm. Even though this discipline has only been part of the Hahnenkamm races since 1995, it is no less spectacular.
After the start below the ‘Seidlamsee 2’ snow pond at an altitude of 1,345 metres, the ski pros reach the lower two thirds of the classic downhill course via the Seidlalmsprung. The "Hausbergkante" in particular and the finish area at over 140 km/h will demand everything from the athletes. This course is rightly one of the most demanding and sensational Super-G courses in the World Cup.
Facts about the Super-G at the Streif Alp
| slope length | 2150 meters |
|---|---|
| starting point | Seidlalm (1345 meters) |
| finishing point | Rasmusleiten (805 meters) |
| altitude difference | 540 meters |
| maximum incline | 69 % at the Hausbergkante |
| maximum speed | up to 140 km/h in the finish area |
| 2021 champion | Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) |
Slalom at the Ganslernhang
A fixed part of the Hahnekamm races is also the slalom. This year it will take place on Sunday, January 26, in Kitzbühel. The 1st run starts at 10.15 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.
Facts about the Slalom race at the Ganslernhang
| slope length | 590 meters |
|---|---|
| starting point | top station Ganslern-Bahn (1,004 meters) |
| finishing point | Naturstadion (811 meters) |
| altitude difference | 193 meters |
| maximum incline | 70 % (35 % average throughout the course) |
| most wins | Ingemar Stenmark (SWE), 5 wins |
| 2023 champion | Linus Straßer (GER) |
| 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 35 euros for adults and are available from the Kitzbühel Ski Club Ticket Shop. Youths and children 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 230 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.
