For more than 40 years, The Londoner bar on Austria’s Hahnenkamm Mountain has been a go-to spot for skiers tackling Kitzbühel’s challenging Streif slope. This English-style pub has a unique connection to Canada. (Devin Heroux/CBC Sports)
A Tradition Born in Triumph
Nestled near the Kitzbuhel finish line, The Londoner pub has been a haven for ski champions for over four decades. Every year, racers who conquer the treacherous Streif slope gather here to celebrate their hard-earned victories. This tradition traces back to 1980 when Canadian skier Ken Read won at Kitzbuhel, igniting a legendary ritual.
The pub's owner at the time, Rick Gunnell, had promised free champagne to the race winner. Read seized the opportunity, kicking off a raucous celebration with his teammates—an event that would evolve into a lasting tradition. The Crazy Canucks, as they were called, went on a winning spree, with Steve Podborski and Todd Brooker following Read's lead and cementing Canada's dominance on the slopes.
A Pub Steeped in History
Current owner David Jamieson confirms that The Londoner’s wild post-race festivities owe their origins to the Crazy Canucks. “They were the ones who started it all,” he says. “And they knew how to party.”
Since then, every podium finisher at Kitzbuhel has been invited to The Londoner to unwind. After risking their lives on one of the world’s most dangerous ski courses, these athletes are welcomed like rock stars. “Surviving that slope deserves a beer the moment they stop,” Jamieson jokes.
The pub’s cozy setting, lined with tartan wallpaper, regularly bursts at the seams with fans and fellow skiers. More than 275 people cram inside, waiting for the winners to arrive. Once they do—often still dressed in tuxedos from gala dinners—the atmosphere explodes with excitement. One by one, the top three racers are carried through the crowd on the shoulders of bouncers, high-fiving fans as cameras flash and drinks flow.
A photo displayed at The Londoner captures Ken Read, the 1980 Kitzbühel champion, celebrating his victory at the pub with a well-earned bottle of champagne—an honour reserved for the race winner. (Devin Heroux/CBC Sports)
Walls That Whisper Stories
A corner of The Londoner now serves as a shrine to the past. Photos of legendary winners fill the space, capturing moments of unrestrained jubilation. Read’s champagne-soaked victory shot, Podborski’s triumphs, and Brooker’s beer-raising toast all adorn the walls, alongside the pub’s first owner, Gunnell.
“If these walls could talk, they’d tell stories of wild nights and unforgettable celebrations,” Jamieson says.
A New Chapter for Canada
For years, Canadian fans wondered if another Canuck would conquer Kitzbuhel and revive the tradition. That moment finally arrived when Jack Crawford claimed victory a couple of weekends ago. His teammate Cameron Alexander secured third place, making it a double celebration.
Despite knowing the chaos that awaited them, the duo couldn’t resist joining the legendary festivities. “It was impossible to say no,” Crawford admits. “It was a wild way to end the night.”
Jamieson, watching the race unfold, sensed history repeating itself. “As soon as Jack won, I knew we were in for one heck of a party.” And he was right. The champagne flowed, the energy soared, and another unforgettable night was etched into The Londoner’s legacy.
