Sun Valley Resort comes out ahead overall. It offers more vertical than Buttermilk. Buttermilk still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Sun Valley Resort is the stronger pick.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Buttermilk | Sun Valley Resort | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 631m (2,070ft) | 1,067m (3,501ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 3,018m (9,902ft) | 2,797m (9,177ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 2,387m (7,831ft) | 1,735m (5,692ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 686cm (270in) | 584cm (230in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 44 | 121 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 8 | 18 |
Resort Size Total groomed and patrolled terrain | 432 acres | 2,002 acres |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 35% | 36% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 39% | 42% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 26% | 22% |
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).
| Buttermilk | Sun Valley Resort | |
|---|---|---|
Access tier Overall ease of reaching the resort | easy | 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 | Aspen (ASE), 4m | Sun Valley (SUN), 30m |
Other airports Alternative gateways, including a bigger hub where one is in range | Eagle/Vail (EGE) 1h 25m, Montrose (MTJ) 2h 50m | Salt Lake City (SLC) 4h 50m, Boise (BOI) 2h 52m |
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.
Sun Valley Resort has significantly more vertical: a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.
Buttermilk gets a bit more snow on average, giving it a slight edge for powder days.
Both resorts offer a similar proportion of beginner terrain, so neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.
Sun Valley Resort is much larger: significantly more trails means more variety and far less chance of skiing the same run twice in a week.
Buttermilk's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer, giving better conditions through the day and into spring.
Both are similarly easy to reach, so getting there is unlikely to decide between them.
Buttermilk has a comparable amount of beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Buttermilk 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 (Buttermilk: 35%, Sun Valley Resort: 36%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Buttermilk gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Sun Valley Resort is the larger mountain by trail count (Buttermilk: 44 trails, Sun Valley Resort: 121 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.
Both resorts offer a similar proportion of advanced terrain (Buttermilk: 26%, Sun Valley Resort: 22%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.
Both Buttermilk and Sun Valley Resort 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.