The Hahnenkamm races at Kitzbuhel are the highlight on the World Cup tour and has been since it started in 1967. Everything contributes to make these competitions a huge destination during the season - the beautiful town built during middle age, the unique and treacherous "Streif" course which finishes near to the center of the city in front of tens of thousands of spectators. The entire festival atmosphere that surrounds the event is often compared to the Formula One Grand Prix at Monte-Carlo. In fact, it's one of the highest honors for downhill or slalom specialists to win those races. There is the added bonus of celebrating the success in some of the famous drinking establishments of the village like the "Tenne" or the "Londoner". The powerful "Kitzbuheler Ski Club" which produced former ski legends like Christian Pravda, Toni Sailer or Anderl Molterer, has already organized competitions at the turn of the 20th Century. The Hahnenkamm itself began in the early 1930's - and the "Streif" run have been used since the late 1940's. Beside this major event, there are many other reasons to come to Kitzbuhel in the winter or in the summer, including an international level tennis tournament. The picturesque "walled" town with colorfully painted Tyrolean houses is surrounded by beautiful mountains with many slopes on four different ski areas around Kitzbuhel including Kirchberg and Jochberg.