Crystals and Kitzbuhel

Our first stop on the way to Kitzbuhel was Swarovski Crystal World and their famous museum of crystal wonders, with the giant outside to welcome us

The rooms within the museum, which showcase crystals in every imaginable (and some unimaginable) way, were difficult to capture by a mere camera. Seeing (in person) is believing with this museum!

The Guinness World Record holder for largest gem in the world...300,000 carats

Kitzbuhel, a medieval village 60 miles from Innsbruck, has one of the most picturesque settings of any alpine resort. The multicolored facades in the pedestrian village house everything from restaurants and hotels, to boutique shops and cafes.

The Gothic tower of the church is a local landmark, one of the most photographed sites in Kitzbuhel

Pepi Treichl, a local mountain guide, welcomes Alpine's team with leaflet trumpet

Pepi provided Alpine with its own 'Sound of Music' moment with his version of 'Edelweiss.' Even the birds were singing along.

On our way to Hahnnenkamm mountain station

The starting gate of the Hahnenkamm downhill race, the legendary Streif. The Hahnenkamm race in January brings in skiers from all over the world to test their skills on the toughest downhill course in the World Cup circuit. The revelers follow suit to watch their races and test their skills with the local nightlife.

Michael is ready for the slalom race...he might be lacking some speed without skis however!

This is the perspective of a downhill racer on the Hahnenkamm, provided by the Kitzbuhel museum

One of the original gondola cars for the resort...

View from our table for dinner at the top of the mountain.