Paganella - Andalo

Reviewers call it one of the best family areas in Italy. The pistes are almost all red, wide and long with frequent changes of gradient, which keeps them from getting dull, and the single black, the Olimpionica, counts as a proper test. Snowmaking covers nearly the whole area, so despite modest altitudes conditions stay dependable through the winter. The lifts are mostly modern, and hut prices undercut South Tyrol noticeably.

The shortage of hard terrain draws criticism - with only one black, strong skiers run out of options, and many find the area too small for a full week. Nightlife and apres-ski hardly exist. Mornings bring a crush at the main gondola, and ski school groups occupy the slopes densely enough to get in the way. Parking at the base stations is cramped.