TschentenAlp - Adelboden

Proximity and calm are the selling points: a gondola carries you from the centre of Adelboden onto the slopes in a few minutes, which makes TschentenAlp the village's own mountain. Reviewers mention wide, well groomed pistes with barely anyone on them, a gentle family atmosphere and a sunny aspect. A mountain restaurant with a ski bar sits at the top, there is a permanent race course, plus toboggan runs and snowshoe trails.

A cramped layout and poor connections are the flip side. There are no long descents, and every option lies side by side on the same hillside, which kills variety: the top is essentially one broad, moderately steep slope served by a four-seat chair and a drag lift. Experienced skiers reckon two hours covers it. There is no valley run, and the link to the main Adelboden-Lenk area is awkward, with a walk through the village and a change of lifts.