Sörenberg

The praise is for calm and value. This is the largest ski area in the canton of Lucerne, and reviews agree it gives a lot for the money: wide blue pistes and straightforward terrain that suits families and beginners. Inclusion in the Magic Pass counts as a further argument. The upper section around the Brienzer Rothorn and the Eisee stands out, where slopes get more interesting and tree-lined powder appears after a snowfall.

Monotony draws the criticism. More than half the runs are easy, and confident skiers call the descents long-winded and undemanding, with everything engaging concentrated around the Eisee, so chasing steepness means lapping the same piece of mountain. Evenings are the second complaint: apres-ski and nightlife barely exist and the village goes quiet early. The top cableway runs at the operator's discretion, so bad weather can shut the best part.