Dachstein West

The family format and the investment in lifts earn the praise. The area is varied and scenic, with views across to the Dachstein glacier, and recent years have brought fast heated chairs with weather hoods and proper gondolas. For beginners and children reviewers call it close to ideal: plenty of blue runs, nursery slopes and the Sumsiland kids' zone. Staff and lift attendants get particular credit for their friendliness. Logistics add to the case: under an hour by bus from Salzburg, and the trip works out cheap.

The lack of demanding skiing is the common objection. The terrain is interesting enough but nothing is seriously hard, and there is effectively no off-piste. Alongside the new chairs many drag lifts and slow old installations remain. The early season draws complaints too: guests in early December found only three runs open, and the ski bus did not start until mid-month.