The snow crunches under the runners, the rush of cold air brings colour to your cheeks, and somewhere ahead around the bend, someone bursts out laughing. Tobogganing and sledging in the Rauris Valley is one of those winter experiences that children remember for years to come. And adults do, too, truth be told.
The Rauris Valley is among the finest areas for tobogganing and sledging in the Salzburg region because it brings two essentials together: well-maintained natural toboggan runs with short access routes, and an alpine backdrop that makes the ascent an experience in itself. From the 4-Star Superior Hotel Rauriserhof, the starting points can be reached in just a few minutes. Whether you are looking for a fast floodlit descent, a cozy mountain hut stop before heading down, or a long sled run at the head of the valley: there is an ideal option for every day.
Kreuzboden Natural Toboggan Run in Rauris
The classic run right on your doorstep. Ride up comfortably with the Kreuzboden double chairlift or walk up along the groomed winter hiking trail—which, for many guests, is the most scenic part of the evening.
Kolm Saigurn Natural Toboggan Run (Naturfreundehaus & Ammererhof)
The longer and quieter choice for anyone wishing to combine a sled ride with an authentic nature experience. In the Kolm Saigurn valley head, the track leads downhill framed by the peaks of Hoher Sonnblick and Hocharn, right in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Day Trip: Wildkogel Arena in Neukirchen and Bramberg
For guests looking for even more variety on their winter holiday, the nearby Wildkogel Arena offers the world's longest illuminated toboggan run at 14 kilometres. The drive from the hotel takes around 45 minutes.
To ensure the outing is a complete success for young and old alike, here are the recommendations from our team:
After descending through the crisp mountain air, returning to the warmth of the hotel is often the best part of the day.
The Rauris Valley has two natural sledge runs, and they're quite different. The Kreuzboden run is just a few minutes from the Rauriserhof, family-friendly and floodlit in the evening. Longer and quieter is the run at Kolm Saigurn at the head of the valley, where you sledge down through the Hohe Tauern National Park with the Hoher Sonnblick and the Hocharn as your backdrop.
The Kreuzboden natural sledge run is around 2 km long and sweeps down through the mountain forest from the Kreuzboden hut at around 1,300 m to the valley station, a drop of around 350 m. You can ride up comfortably on the Kreuzboden double chairlift or walk up the winter path. In good snow the run is open every day during lift hours, and with a valid ski pass the chairlift costs nothing extra.
Twice a week the Kreuzboden run is floodlit in the evening, most recently on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 pm to 8.30 pm, and the chairlift takes you straight to the start. You buy your evening lift ticket at the valley station, as ski passes aren't valid at that time. The Rauriserhof reception always has the season's exact dates to hand.
The starting point is the car park by Alpengasthof Bodenhaus at the back of the Rauris Valley. From there it's a beautiful winter walk of around two hours up to Alpengasthof Ammererhof or the Naturfreundehaus Kolm Saigurn. If you'd rather ride up, book a transfer with the huts in advance. The run of around 4.5 km follows the road, which is closed to traffic in winter but used by the hut owners, so take care on the way down.
Right at the top of the Kreuzboden run is the cosy Kreuzboden hut, with Jagatee, hot chocolate and regional specialities. At Kolm Saigurn, stop at Alpengasthof Ammererhof or the Naturfreundehaus before your descent, and down at the start, Alpengasthof Bodenhaus is a lovely place to warm up.
You can hire sledges at the Kreuzbodenbahn valley station, at the Kreuzboden hut and at Intersport Pirchner and Sport Egger in the village. The inns at Kolm Saigurn also hire out sledges. On busy night-sledging evenings it's worth reserving one in advance, and the Rauriserhof reception will happily help.
Yes, very much so. At around 2 km, the Kreuzboden run is just right for families, the chairlift saves little legs the climb, and a hot chocolate at the Kreuzboden hut at the top tastes twice as good. The longer Kolm Saigurn run, with its walk up, suits children who already enjoy hiking. A helmet is strongly recommended for children when sledging, and the ski helmet from the day does the job nicely.
Sturdy, warm winter boots with a good grip matter most, as you steer and brake with your feet. Ski boots aren't suitable. Add warm gloves, breathable winter clothing in layers and, in the evening, ski goggles for the floodlit run. A helmet is a good idea for adults too.
For a day trip, head to the Wildkogel-Arena in Neukirchen and Bramberg, home to a floodlit sledge run of around 14 km, one of the longest in the world. It's around an hour's drive from Rauris. For every other evening, the Kreuzboden run is right on your doorstep.
Yes. From the Rauriserhof you're just a few minutes from the Kreuzboden sledge run, and the Rießlegger-Mayr family's team knows the latest floodlight dates and will help you reserve a sledge, a table at the hut or a transfer. After your run, warm up in the sauna and indoor pool or sit in the heated outdoor pool while the snow falls around you. In the evening a five-course menu with regional produce awaits. Read more about the BergSpa on our pools page.
