The Hohe Tauern National Park is an interesting destination in all seasons to experience a relaxing holiday in an extremely charming landscape. Where mountaineers, cyclists and mountain bikers gather in summer and where people look for gold in the streams, winter holds the whole kaleidoscope of sporting activity. Rauris is one of the top addresses not only for sympathizers of the alpine variants of winter sports. This is a white gem in winter. Snowboarders are at home in the extensive Hochalmbahnen ski area. On the shallow slopes of this Austrian region, families with their children can also look forward to unlimited fun on the slopes.
The largest protected area in the Eastern Alps
It is said that the cold days of the year feel particularly pleasant in the Rauris Valley and that winter there almost always comes along with a cheerful charm. In the guesthouses and hotels of the village, hospitality is anything but a foreign word. Here the holidaymaker is “king” and is pampered in all respects in his accommodations. In the thirty-kilometre-long valley in the Salzburger Land between Taxenbach and Kolm Saigurn, dealing with the values of nature has always been a matter of course. This is the largest protected area in the Eastern Alps, and the people of this region see this as an obligation. The ski area is still clear and the construction of lifts was kept within rather modest limits. All investments were made with the environment in mind.
The Rauris ski region: tested and approved
After all, there are ten modern lifts available to winter sports enthusiasts in Rauris. They transport skiers to altitudes of up to 2,175 metres and to the starting points of the approximately 32 kilometres of slopes. The comfortable summit lift opens up a magnificent panoramic view of the mighty peaks in one of the most beautiful alpine areas in Austria. And since the safety of the guests is close to the hearts of those responsible, it plays a paramount role in Rauris. This is reflected in the verdict of skiresort.de. The world’s largest Internet portal, which has set itself the task of critically examining international ski resorts, came to an astonishing test result. According to this, the ski area of the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen received no less than twelve awards in 2017 and was decorated with 3.7 out of five possible stars. The region was highly rated as a winter sports area for beginners and families.
Manageable and family-friendly slopes
Tree-free are those slopes in the Rauris ski area where beginners feel particularly comfortable. At the ridge lift and at the summit lift, the slopes are not steep and are suitable for the first attempts on the narrow boards. The waiting times at the lifts are short here, because Rauris has always given mass tourism the cold shoulder. They want to be family-friendly here, and this is also reflected in the design of the slopes. If you dare to switch to a slightly more challenging terrain after the first ski course, you are sure to find the right slope for you. It doesn’t have to be the ten-kilometre route from the mountain station over the Kreuzboden into the high valley to Rauris. Fun for all levels is guaranteed by the seven-hundred-metre-long descent of the so-called “Familyslope” with its steep curves and waves.
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Fun with mascot “Tilly” on the baby meadow
If you feel fit enough to try your hand at a race track, you will appreciate the exhilaration of speed at the Hochalmbahn. There is also an automatic timekeeping. The northeastern slopes of the Rauris ski area are the Eldorado of deep snow freaks. Actually, in this wonderful winter sports landscape, it doesn’t matter what level of quality you have achieved as an alpine skier. The boundless freedom in this environment is certain for everyone. Of course, also the youngest ski bunnies, who are expertly supervised in the children’s ski schools on the baby meadow. Among other things, the mascot “Tilly” is on the road there and invites the youngest to the traditional “Ziach sleigh ride”. And if the day in Rauris can’t be long enough for you, you can go to an illuminated toboggan run and the Kreuzboden chairlift twice a week. After all, this toboggan run is two kilometres long.
Pure romance on a horse-drawn sleigh ride
Pure romance is conveyed in the Rauris Valley by a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. Passengers sit under a warm and cuddly blanket and enjoy the magnificent winter panorama. Tours from Rauris to Wörth and excursions in the Hüttwinkl Valley are offered. Friends of après-ski meet at the “Heimalm” with its twenty-metre-long bar. The unusual thing is that the counter is heated… But there is also an exuberant atmosphere at the valley station of the Hochalmbahn. The “Maislaualm” is something of an institution in the small ski arena. In addition, there are cosy restaurants and alpine inns on the slopes. The small village of Taxenbach organises torchlight hikes for young and old on winter evenings. Some people only really feel comfortable after the nightly snowfall when they trudge through the untouched nature with snowshoes.
Unlimited fun in the snow is affordable
Fun on the slopes in the Hohe Tauern National Park is affordable. If you are travelling with your family, you can take advantage of the special conditions in Rauris. However, a photo ID is required for all ages. Reduced prices are also offered for groups and for pupils and young people as part of a ski school course. And if you want to save yourself waiting times when purchasing the ski pass, you can also purchase these tickets conveniently on the Internet.
