Speikboden - Skiworld Ahrntal

The combination of a big vertical and wide, varied pistes is what wins people over: the terrain keeps changing shape, which suits novices and confident skiers alike. Reviewers report simply no lift queues. Grooming earns top marks - the machines go out daily and the surface still holds up well into the afternoon. Snowmaking covers every run and the valley descent is usually open from the first day of the season to the last. There is a well-kept park with kickers, rails and boxes, and prices undercut the big areas.

Where it falls short is anything beyond the skiing itself. One review lists the entire offering for children: a small playground, a mini hay jump and a run-down petting zoo where baby rabbits get manhandled by overeager visitors. The conclusion is blunt - for the same ticket money, neighbouring South Tyrolean resorts give far more, from mountain go-karting to a bobsled run.