49 Degrees North comes out ahead overall. It offers a larger, more varied mountain than Beaver Mountain. Beaver Mountain still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, 49 Degrees North is the stronger pick.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Beaver Mountain | 49 Degrees North | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 491m (1,611ft) | 565m (1,854ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 2,718m (8,917ft) | 1,808m (5,932ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 2,226m (7,303ft) | 1,243m (4,078ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 1,016cm (400in) | 763cm (300in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 48 | 80 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 5 | 7 |
Resort Size Total groomed and patrolled terrain | 450 acres | 2,933 acres |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 25% | 25% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 40% | 50% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 35% | 25% |
How you actually reach each resort. Times are the whole airport-to-base journey by the realistic route (drive, or rail where that is the practical option).
| Beaver Mountain | 49 Degrees North | |
|---|---|---|
Access tier Overall ease of reaching the resort | moderate | easy |
Trip shape Whether one flight gets you within a ground leg, or a connection to a regional airport is required | One flight in | One flight in |
Closest airport Nearest airport and the whole journey time to the base | Salt Lake City (SLC), 2h 12m | Spokane (GEG), 1h 23m |
Other airports Alternative gateways, including a bigger hub where one is in range | Idaho Falls (IDA) 3h 8m, Jackson Hole (JAC) 3h 32m | Castlegar (YCG) 2h 34m, Cranbrook (YXC) 4h 12m |
These two resorts are genuinely well-matched. The best pick will come down to what matters most to you, and possibly just which flights are cheaper.
Both resorts have comparable vertical drop, so you'll get a similar length run at either mountain.
Beaver Mountain gets substantially more snow each season, a meaningful edge for powder seekers and late-season skiing.
Both resorts offer a similar proportion of beginner terrain, so neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.
49 Degrees North is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.
Beaver Mountain's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer, giving better conditions through the day and into spring.
49 Degrees North is easier to reach: one flight to Spokane (GEG), then about 1h 23m to the base. Beaver Mountain means one flight to Salt Lake City (SLC), then about 2h 12m to the base.
Beaver Mountain has a comparable amount of beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Beaver Mountain gets more snow annually, giving better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Beaver Mountain: 25%, 49 Degrees North: 25%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Beaver Mountain gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
49 Degrees North is the larger mountain by trail count (Beaver Mountain: 48 trails, 49 Degrees North: 80 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.
Beaver Mountain 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.
Both Beaver Mountain and 49 Degrees North are similarly suited to families. Look at ski school quality, on-mountain kids' facilities, and accommodation proximity to lifts when making your final decision; those practical factors matter more than raw stats for a family trip.
Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.