Lauchernalp - Lötschental

Reviewers single out the long, in places genuinely technical descents; the pistes are wide, so steeper pitches can be taken in big arcs. The valley ranks among the most snow-sure in Switzerland, collects more sun than the Swiss average, and stays far quieter than the marketed Valais names. Freeriders rate the untracked snow, and visitors like the grooming, the mountain huts and the free ski bus included with the pass.

Size is where it loses marks - the area is small and a full week stretches it. Skiing down to Wiler is usually impossible, and few linger below the Stafel station because the valley sits in shadow and the cable cars back up run too rarely. Hotels are few and all small, so most guests rent chalets in the villages. The approach irritates too: from the north the car goes on the train at Kandersteg, and Zurich is hours away. Apres-ski is essentially absent.