Where the lobster says goodnight to the chamois

Every spring, tempers flare. As soon as the price of a liter of beer at Munich's Oktoberfest is set, the traditional head-shaking ensues. At the last Oktoberfest, a liter of the golden brew cost up to €15,80, and reserving an entire table averaged €400. At least this included a guaranteed seat and usually two drink vouchers and a food voucher. For many visitors, these prices are outrageous, yet the iconic festival remains a huge draw. True to the motto: You simply have to experience it for yourself.

A similar credo is followed at the World Cup in Kitzbühel. While the spectacle on the Streif and Ganslern slopes may attract many times the population of the 8000-strong town in a single weekend, a glance at social media reveals that the real party takes place away from the snow and ice. These days, just a few thousand followers are enough to be invited and courted by hotels worldwide in exchange for a few favorable posts. The game with the burgeoning influencers is no different in Kitzbühel.

White sausages among gold and diamond tickets These days, Kitzbühel is teeming with (wannabe) celebrities – and the opportunities for sophisticated self-promotion are as well-known as they are varied. The Weißwurst party at the Stanglwirt is generally considered the party kickoff for the World Cup. Anyone who's anyone and, besides the glitz and glamour, actually wants to make the trip to Going am Wilden Kaiser, just under eight kilometers away, for a champagne Weißwurst, has to shell out a mere 206 euros for the "classic" ticket.

This price doesn't guarantee a spot in the spotlight, but merely secures access to the riding arena, including the main and side stages. At least the cloakroom is free. A significantly more exclusive experience – including a greater chance of meeting Alpine VIPs like pop singer Melissa Naschenweng or DJ Ötzi – is offered by the "Gold" category, valued at 526 euros.

A single visit won't achieve anything. More food, more drinks, more celebrities, but that's not all: If you want the full dose of attention and star power, the "Diamond" ticket is a must. It grants access to the most exclusive areas, a selection of various wines, sparkling wines, long drinks, and champagne. As one of the few among the 2.800 guests, you can even reserve a spot at a standing table. And all for just 826 euros.

If you really want to be part of the party scene, you have to follow up your Stanglwirt experience with another meal. And Kitzbühel offers a multitude of (expensive) options for doing so. For example, on Saturday, the day of the legendary downhill race on the Streif, Rosi's Schnitzel Party at the Sonnbergstuben is a great option. For €450, you get a hearty soup with sliced pancakes, a Wiener Schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake), and drinks. Whether you can find this menu somewhere cheaper is up to you.

Lobster in the heart of Tyrol Events like these certainly pride themselves on uniting high society. Given the overuse of the term VIP, one wonders if the familiar "Who's Who" in Kitzbühel isn't gradually becoming a "Who Are You?" The crowning glory of a perfect Streif weekend is a visit to the Lobster Party at the Hotel Kitzhof. You read that right: lobster amidst the snow-covered Tyrolean Alps. Compared to other offerings, this luxury, at €265, seems almost affordable and conjures up an amusing mental image: because only Kitzbühel can offer something like this – the place where the lobster bids goodnight to the chamois.

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Where the lobster says goodnight to the chamois

The World Cup in Kitzbühel is also known for the spectacle off the slopes. Sometimes, you shouldn't focus on the price.

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