Lots of “friends” these days

It’s strange how many “friends” I have these days. Some that I haven't heard or seen since Corona, and even some that I haven't even saved in my phone. Everyone gets in touch to inquire about possible “tickets” in Kitzbühel. Or about admission wristbands in any bars or discos. Or for table reservations in in-restaurants. Or whether you could arrange to be there at the start of the Red Bull towers or at the Hausbergkante. Even the management of a very famous German actor still had my number.

It's true: Kitzbühel is the absolute highlight of the season. Especially what's going on off the slopes. There is nothing like it. At most, the mega party in Adelboden can keep up, but its level is significantly lower with its tent festival atmosphere. In Kitz, glamor dominates, the kiss-bussi society of the nearby Munich chic and all the mostly nouveau-rich fellow swimmers who don't have to worry about their wallets.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (center) and Andreas Gabalier (right) are regular guests in Kitzbühel. © APA / HERBERT NEUBAUER

While "outside" on the streets the thousands of mostly young people are creating a good atmosphere over beer and mulled wine - without ever seeing a race - those who have managed to get tickets for private or elite parties prefer to keep to themselves. Except for the legendary white sausage party at Stanglwirt. Up to 3000 guests will be there tomorrow evening when Arnold Schwarzenegger, Andreas Gabalier and Miriam Weichselbraun celebrate their gezuzle.

The cheapest ticket costs 195 euros The prices - the party is completely sold out - are steep for “normal people”: According to the homepage, you have to pay 195 euros for a “classic” ticket, 415 euros for a “gold” ticket and 685 euros for a “diamond” ticket . You're not even really in the first two categories, you're just there. Whereby: Kitzbühel sells itself and its celebrity far better than it actually is. Arnold Schwarzenegger is undoubtedly a global star, but at 2 years old he is no longer the youngest. And whether former Formula 75 boss Bernie Ecclestone, at the age of 1, will attend the Kitz Charity Race on Saturday remains a secret until the end. And seriously: who cares about Mr. Ecclestone anymore?

The singers Gabalier, Marc Pircher and Hansi Hinterseer have a home game in Kitzbühel, but they make a great impression in their external presentation. It goes without saying that the ski legends Benjamin Raich, Stephan Eberharter, Nicole Hosp and Leonhard Stock are also there as Tyroleans. Point: It would be exactly as if the World Cup organizers in Val Gardena and Alta Badia - or in the biathlon in Antholz - had the Kastelruther Spatzen, singer Max von Milland, mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner and actress Gerti Drassl on site. And of course Gustav Thöni, Peter Runggaldier, Carolina Kostner, Armin Zöggeler and everything that South Tyrol has to offer in terms of sport and shows. Of course, this is utopian, especially since South Tyrol likes to practice aristocratic restraint and doesn't like to show off its stars very much.

The number of accredited journalists shows that after a two-year Corona break there is a huge appetite for Remmidemmi: 680 have been announced, barely 100 are “pure” ski sports journalists who write about what is happening on the Streif and on the Ganslernhang. Everyone else is interested in what's going on off the piste. Or you want to receive a press gift with accreditation (there is a ski cap) or save the price of the entry ticket (30 euros per race). Accreditation in Kitzbühel is no longer a free pass for the many parties and celebrations.

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Lots of “friends” these days

Dolomites editor Andreas Vieider is currently in the ski mecca of Kitzbühel. This time in his diary he writes about the many “friends” who suddenly get in touch and about the high society that abounds in the posh town.

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