Les Orres comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than Cairngorm Mountain. Cairngorm Mountain still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Les Orres wins this one.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Cairngorm Mountain | Les Orres | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 600m (1,969ft) | 1,100m (3,609ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 1,245m (4,085ft) | 2,720m (8,924ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 645m (2,116ft) | 1,620m (5,315ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 200cm (79in) | 400cm (157in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 30 | 41 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 11 | 19 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 40ha (99ac) | 100ha (247ac) |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 30% | 30% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 50% | 50% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 20% | 20% |
Les Orres has a clear edge across most measurable categories. It's the stronger choice for most skiers making this comparison.
Les Orres has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.
Les Orres 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 — neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.
Les Orres is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.
Les Orres's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Les Orres wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.
Les Orres gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Cairngorm Mountain: 30%, Les Orres: 30%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Les Orres gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Les Orres is the larger mountain by trail count (Cairngorm Mountain: 30 trails, Les Orres: 41 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 (Cairngorm Mountain: 20%, Les Orres: 20%). 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 Cairngorm Mountain and Les Orres 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.