Scuol - Motta Naluns

The praise is for empty slopes: lift queues are practically unheard of, and the gondola leaves straight from Scuol village. Reviewers point to dependable cover, views over the Lower Engadine, decent mountain restaurants and a spread of runs suiting families and confident intermediates. The long red Traumpiste gets singled out, as does the off-piste potential - the area is largely unknown to the mass market, which is exactly why powder hunters rate it.

Size is where it loses marks: the area is compact and rarely stretches to a full week. The run from Motta Naluns down to Scuol is the recurring complaint, breaking up by midday and turning icy in places. Logistics after the Traumpiste attract grumbles too, as the bus back from Sent runs packed. The eatery at the bottom station is the other sore point - visitors say it simply cannot cope once things get busy.