Cerro Catedral vs Stoneham — Which Is Better?

Cerro Catedral is the stronger all-round pick here — it offers more vertical than Stoneham. That said, Stoneham is no slouch, and beginners may prefer what it offers. For most holiday skiers, Cerro Catedral delivers more mountain for your trip.

Side-by-Side Stats

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

Cerro CatedralStoneham
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
1,010m (3,314ft)420m (1,378ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
2,101m (6,893ft)600m (1,969ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
1,050m (3,445ft)180m (591ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
400cm (157in)410cm (161in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
7043
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
239
Skiable Area
Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares
600ha (1,483ac)130ha (321ac)
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
40%50%
Advanced Terrain
Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge
30%20%

Category Breakdown

Cerro Catedral has a clear edge across most measurable categories. It's the stronger choice for most skiers making this comparison.

Vertical DropCerro Catedral wins

Cerro Catedral 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 SizeCerro Catedral wins

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

Snow PreservationCerro Catedral wins

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

Who Should Choose Which?

Cerro Catedral
Beginners and families with young children

Cerro Catedral has a comparable amount of beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.

Cerro Catedral
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

Cerro Catedral 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 — Cerro Catedral or Stoneham?

Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Cerro Catedral: 30%, Stoneham: 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 — Cerro Catedral or Stoneham?

Cerro Catedral (400 cm/year) and Stoneham (410 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 — Cerro Catedral or Stoneham?

Cerro Catedral is the larger mountain by trail count (Cerro Catedral: 70 trails, Stoneham: 43 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?

Cerro Catedral 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 Cerro Catedral and Stoneham 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