Kitzbuhel, Austria

Ski Sunday will be in Kitzbuhel on 19 January at 1645 GMT on BBC Two.

Elevation area: 830m - summit: 2200m

The Hahnenkamm races at Kitzbuhel have been a major highlight on the World Cup tour since they started in 1967.

Everything contributes to make these competitions a huge occasion during the season.

The beautiful town, the unique and treacherous Streif course which finishes near to the city centre and 10s of thousands of fans all contribute to its unique atmosphere.

The entire festival is often compared to the Formula One Grand Prix at Monte Carlo.

Picturesque town

In fact, it is one of the highest honours for downhill or slalom specialists to win.

There is also the added bonus of celebrating the success in one of the famous drinking establishments in the village - like the Tenne or the Londoner.

The Hahnenkamm itself began in the early 1930s - and the Streif run has been used since the late 1940s.

Besides this major event, there are many other reasons to come to Kitzbuhel in the winter.

Beautiful mountains surround the picturesque walled town with colourfully painted Tyrolean houses around four different ski areas around Kitzbuhel.

The Kitzbuhel Ski Club, host of the annual Hahnenkamm race, can look back on a long history and development of the event.

The first Hahnenkamm race was held in 1931.

In the years since, the Kitzbuhel Ski Club has managed to make a big name for itself in the world of skiing thanks to the successful athletic achievements of its members as well as its organised services.

Today, with about 3,500 members, it presents itself as one of the oldest and also most successful ski clubs in Austria.