Kasberg - Grünau

The praise is for the family focus: a children's ski arena, wide learner slopes and a snow park rated higher than the size of the hill suggests. Easy access, ample parking, the free ski bus from Gmunden and friendly staff come up often. Snow guns cover most of the pistes, which puts the area among the most snow sure in Upper Austria, and grooming has earned repeated praise in test reports.

Worn out machinery draws the criticism: reviewers write about badly maintained lifts and constant breakdowns, and say grooming sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. The base sits low, so without snowmaking there would be no season. Strong skiers run out of terrain quickly and apres-ski amounts to quiet sun terraces. The operator's insolvency hurt too: guests spent months unsure whether the lifts would run at all.