Ofterschwang/Gunzesried - Ofterschwanger Horn

The praise is for modern lifts and a surprisingly full run selection for such a compact area. The showpiece is the Weltcup Express, a two-kilometre black that has hosted World Cup races and is called a highlight. Visitors like the view towards Oberstdorf, the valley descent towards Gunzesried and the state of the pistes, which are groomed meticulously. A children's area and a fun park make it an easy choice for families and beginners.

Pricing is the loudest complaint. Reviews bristle at a two-hour ticket costing almost as much as a half-day one, and at a day pass comparable to what far bigger resorts charge. Weekends are the second problem: the slopes fill up and the hut by the World Cup run, lovely as it is, bursts at the seams. The third is altitude - the Ofterschwanger Horn is low, so the area is sensitive to mild spells and the weather is more fickle than at higher neighbours.