 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We are going to Kitzbuhel downhill next year and have the same questions but we cannot see the answer(s) to your request. Can you help please?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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rOBBMWALKER@AOL.COM, gosh, this is a post from the past. Welcome to snowheads.
Here we go:
Q. Are the VIP section tickets worth the extra money? This is for a special occasion so willing to pay the extra if it's gonna be worth it.
For a special occasion yes I suppose they were worth the extra - we got to stand right next to the finish line and were able to get up fairly close to the racers. Fantastic atmosphere in the finish area. But next time we will watch further up the hill near one of the spectacular turns.
Q. Do we turn up to the race in ski gear or regular clothing, or maybe get some lederhosen ? I guess if viewing up the mountain then we'd ski to the viewing area, but if watching from the VIP area at the bottom then wouldn't want to the only ones in ski boots.
We went in ski gear, then skied in the afternoon. Lots and lots of Austrian flags so if you want to blend in get one of those 
Q. Could optionally/additionally watch the SuperG on the Friday, would this be a vastly different experience to the downhill, if you had the opportunity would you view both races or would that be a bit overkill (would like to do some skiing ourselves on this short 3 day trip) ?
We only watchd the DH. On refelection, next time would like to see more racing so if you get the opportunity to watch the SG or SL or anything then do it.
Q. How soon do the tickets sell out, they're on sale now so should I be getting them soonish ?
Dunno, we got ours and that was that.
Anything else you want to know please ask, although there are more seasoned race wathers than me on here so you may get more sense from them. Enjoy it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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smithski I can't comment on Kitzbuhel as I haven't been there in race week. However I was in Chamonix in January when the WC was there and I guess that, allowing for local traditions, it is a similarl experience.
I was quite surprised at how quickly the whole thing was over. The build up was great. The night before there is a huge party in town where the Top 20 racers pick their bib number from a hat. This is done on a huge catwalk with intro music etc. Great fun with a fab firework show afterwards. This all happened at about 6-7pm.
On race day the lifts at Les Houches ran normally and many people just skied normally. There is only one piste roped off for the race but some of the other pistes will cross it so they leave these open until about an hour before the race then rope them off too. So, if you are not in your preferred position by about an hour before you will find you might have to hike quite a way.
Viewing obviously congregates around some of the key points (jumps) and there are some big screens at various points along the course too. It is pretty useful to be able to see a screen as you only see the skiers for a brief period on each run so watching them go past then watching the screen means you know what is going on.
The whole thing is over in a couple of hours. It depends on how many crashes they have and whether or not they have to helicopter anyone to the hospital. They usually only have one helicopter so have to wait for it to come back before the next guy can go.
We spent the rest of the afternoon skiing as normal (although it was pretty crowded).
I would definitely go in ski gear rather than sit in a stand but someone who has been to Kitzbuhel might have a different view for local reasons.
Prizegiving is at a similar catwalk event that evening. All great fun. Boy, they move quickly and jump a long way. Awesome.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hope you have accommodation booked, if not ????
I went to Kitzbuhel in 1999 for the races, skied and watched over four days (thurs downhill practice, Friday super G race, Saturday downhill race, Sunday slalom). Bought ticket on arrival from race office near sports centre for general viewing (not expensive) for all races, they don't sell out. Fantastic atmosphere throughtout, think combination of F.A.Cup final rivalry, glamour of Monaco G.P. and add in party atmosphere at New Year spread over 4 days!!! From my experience it isn't worth buying into the v.i.p. area. Best viewing for the downhill and Super G was by the Hausberg (jump), from there you watch the racers flash by over the jump, the final traverse, and then finally you get a dramatic view of the racers crossing the finishing line. The noise of the crowd just sweeps up the mountain, "hairs on the back of the neck" stuff. I watched each race firstly from the top, accessed by the Hahnenkamm lift, starting by the Mousefalle and then skiing down alongside the course, to different points during the races, finishing at the Hausberg, which, as I say, seemed the best.
When the races are not in progress there is, of course, good opportunity to ski as well. Try to ski the course when the it is open to the public after the race finish on the Saturday. Though, it is fenced off at regular points to prevent any lunatics to attempt the full course. The screens in the finish area show the humourous attempts of the skiing public as they cope with the sheet ice on the Steilhang, impossible to turn your skis on, which as a recreational skier you try to do. The course netting collects more skiers than an Icelandic trawler collects cod! All good fun and reasonably harmless!!
Don't miss the evening build up to the races on Thurs, Friday and Saturday. Race draws, live entertainment, celebs, etc., in the old town centre.
Skiwear for skiing of course, but smart casual in the evenings or for just spectating in the v.i.p. area.
It is a very glamourous and atmospheric event.
In a perfect world you would also visit the Schladming night race on the following Tuesday, this usually sells-out quickly, get tickets now if you plan to add to your trip. Accommodation might still be available in nearby villages, but not in Schladming, which attracts some 50,000 on the night!! There is a Snowhead run b & b at Radstadt closeby.
I am revisiting the Kitzbuhel races next January and Schladming for the first time. Cannot wait!!!! 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The most exciting place to be in terms of the skiing is right on the Mausefalle jump 100 yards or so after the start. They land the jump doing 80mph. and if you are on the slope beside it you see the underside of their skis as they go over then watch them take the compression and head off on the next bit. Trouble is I couldn't make out anything on the PA system (was it all in German?) and had no idea who I was seeing. Also it is so steep it is hard to keep your footing (a few people slid right down).
There may well be places you see them longer and doing more turns.
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Thanks for your help everyone. We were excited before but now can't wait. Only problem now is the rip off with car hire where it seems all car hire firms at Munich airport charge at least an addition £100 per week for snow tyres.
Have fun on the snow.
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rOBBMWALKER@AOL.COM, get the train, easy from Munich to Kitzbuhel and probably cheaper than car rental.
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FAQ
? I guess if viewing up the mountain then we'd ski to the viewing area, but if watching from the VIP area at the bottom then wouldn't want to the only ones in ski boots.
