Klínovec (Keilberg)

Snow is the headline praise: by Czech standards Klinovec is among the most reliable, skis best in February, and snowmaking covers most runs. Everything is tree-lined, which makes for pleasant, largely easy skiing. Cheap lift passes and free parking come up often, along with the fast Prima Express and CineStar Express, two terrain parks, a halfpipe in the lower section and floodlit evening skiing.

Run length draws criticism: five hundred to fifteen hundred metres bores advanced skiers quickly. A fair number of old drag lifts remain. On peak days reviewers report lift queues, some describing waits over an hour, and car parks filling up. December and January are often foggy and windy. There is no real village at the foot, just scattered hotels, and a decent apartment is pricey. Staff rarely speak English.