Rauris is a historic gold-mining market town at 950m in Austria's Hohe Tauern National Park. Known as the "Golden Valley of the Alps," the village still carries its mining heritage in the grand tradesmen's houses along the main street and with gold-panning sites where visitors try their luck in the mountain streams. Skiing here dates back to 1902, when Wilhelm Ritter von Arlt brought the first skis to the valley from Scandinavia, and this long, quiet history has shaped a resort that feels rooted in the mountains rather than built for tourism. Rauris was also the birthplace of Ulrike Maier, Austria's two-time Super-G World Champion.

The ski area rises directly from the village on the Hochalm, reaching 2,175m with over 1,200m of vertical drop across 32.5km of pistes. Wide, well-groomed blues and flowing reds make up the bulk of terrain, with steep blacks higher up and accessible off-piste bowls above the treeline for those wanting to explore with a guide. The slopes are uncrowded, the views across the Goldberg peaks and the Sonnblick summit at 3,106m are striking, and snowmaking covers the lower runs while the high altitude keeps the upper mountain in good condition. A 2.5km floodlit toboggan run and a family funslope add variety on the mountain itself.

Away from the slopes, the Hohe Tauern National Park wraps around the valley and gives rest days their own character. Ranger-guided snowshoe tours take you into the park's wild landscape, and gold panning, ice skating, curling, and horse-drawn sleigh rides through the valley add variety to the week. Dining leans into hearty Salzburg tradition, with mountain huts like Baron's Heimalm serving regional cooking with panoramic views, and village restaurants offering everything from six-course hotel dinners to a glass of locally distilled schnapps at the bar. The warmth of the valley's community is something you feel from the first evening, and it stays with you.

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