Cannon Mountain vs Les Orres — Which Is Better?

Les Orres comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than Cannon Mountain. Cannon 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.

Side-by-Side Stats

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

Cannon MountainLes Orres
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
645m (2,116ft)1,100m (3,609ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
1,280m (4,199ft)2,720m (8,924ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
634m (2,080ft)1,620m (5,315ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
410cm (161in)400cm (157in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
9741
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
1119
Skiable Area
Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares
113ha (279ac)100ha (247ac)
Beginner Terrain
Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers
32%30%
Intermediate Terrain
Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers
36%50%
Advanced Terrain
Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge
32%20%

Category Breakdown

Les Orres edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.

Vertical DropLes Orres wins

Les Orres has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.

Annual SnowfallSimilar

Both resorts receive similar annual snowfall — you can expect comparable snow conditions at either.

Beginner TerrainSimilar

Both resorts offer a similar proportion of beginner terrain — neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.

Mountain SizeCannon Mountain wins

Cannon Mountain is much larger — significantly more trails means more variety and far less chance of skiing the same run twice in a week.

Snow PreservationLes Orres wins

Les Orres's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.

Who Should Choose Which?

Les Orres
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for beginners — Cannon Mountain or Les Orres?

Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Cannon Mountain: 32%, 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.

Which resort gets more snow — Cannon Mountain or Les Orres?

Cannon Mountain (410 cm/year) and Les Orres (400 cm/year) receive similar annual snowfall. Neither has a meaningful snow advantage — other factors like aspect, elevation, and grooming matter more day-to-day.

Which mountain is bigger — Cannon Mountain or Les Orres?

Cannon Mountain is the larger mountain by trail count (Cannon Mountain: 97 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.

Which has better terrain for expert skiers?

Cannon 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.

Which resort is better for families?

Both Cannon 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.

Related Comparisons

Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.

Full Stats