Alta Badia vs Andermatt-Sedrun — Which Is Better?

Andermatt-Sedrun comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than Alta Badia. Alta Badia still has plenty to offer, especially for beginners and intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Andermatt-Sedrun wins this one.

Side-by-Side Stats

Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.

Alta BadiaAndermatt-Sedrun
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
880m (2,887ft)1,480m (4,856ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
2,550m (8,366ft)2,961m (9,715ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
1,324m (4,344ft)1,444m (4,738ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
350cm (138in)700cm (276in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
130120
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
5333
Skiable Area
Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares
130ha (321ac)1,500ha (3,707ac)
Beginner Terrain
Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers
30%25%
Intermediate Terrain
Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers
60%50%
Advanced Terrain
Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge
10%25%

Category Breakdown

Andermatt-Sedrun edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.

Vertical DropAndermatt-Sedrun wins

Andermatt-Sedrun has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.

Annual SnowfallAndermatt-Sedrun wins

Andermatt-Sedrun gets substantially more snow each season — a meaningful edge for powder seekers and late-season skiing.

Beginner TerrainAlta Badia wins

Alta Badia has a slight edge in beginner-friendly terrain, with a bit more dedicated green-run acreage.

Mountain SizeSimilar

Both resorts are similar in size — you'll have roughly the same amount of terrain to explore.

Snow PreservationSimilar

Both resorts sit at similar base elevations, so snow quality and preservation are comparable.

Who Should Choose Which?

Alta Badia
Beginners and families with young children

Alta Badia has more beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.

Andermatt-Sedrun
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

Andermatt-Sedrun wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.

Andermatt-Sedrun
Powder chasers and late-season skiers

Andermatt-Sedrun gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for beginners — Alta Badia or Andermatt-Sedrun?

Alta Badia is the better pick for beginners. It dedicates more of its mountain to green runs and easy terrain, which means less time hunting for appropriate slopes and more time building confidence.

Which resort gets more snow — Alta Badia or Andermatt-Sedrun?

Andermatt-Sedrun gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.

Which mountain is bigger — Alta Badia or Andermatt-Sedrun?

Alta Badia is the larger mountain by trail count (Alta Badia: 130 trails, Andermatt-Sedrun: 120 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.

Which has better terrain for expert skiers?

Andermatt-Sedrun has a higher percentage of expert terrain. If you're an advanced skier who will spend most of your day on black and double-black runs, that extra challenge is worth considering when choosing between these two.

Which resort is better for families?

Alta Badia is generally the better family resort based on its terrain mix. More beginner-friendly slopes means children and less experienced parents have plenty of room to ski without feeling pushed beyond their comfort zone. That said, both resorts have established ski schools — check current program reviews before booking.

Related Comparisons

Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.

Full Stats