Villars-Gryon comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than Crans-Montana. Crans-Montana still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Villars-Gryon wins this one.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Crans-Montana | Villars-Gryon | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 1,500m (4,921ft) | 1,700m (5,577ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 3,000m (9,843ft) | 2,120m (6,955ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 1,500m (4,921ft) | 420m (1,378ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 400cm (157in) | 500cm (197in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 140 | 75 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 28 | 16 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 140ha (346ac) | 1,250ha (3,089ac) |
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% |
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.
Villars-Gryon has somewhat more vertical drop, giving a slightly longer ride on most runs.
Villars-Gryon gets a bit more snow on average, giving it a slight edge for powder days.
Both resorts offer a similar proportion of beginner terrain — neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.
Crans-Montana is much larger — significantly more trails means more variety and far less chance of skiing the same run twice in a week.
Crans-Montana's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Crans-Montana has a comparable amount of beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Villars-Gryon gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Crans-Montana: 30%, Villars-Gryon: 30%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Villars-Gryon gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Crans-Montana is the larger mountain by trail count (Crans-Montana: 140 trails, Villars-Gryon: 75 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 (Crans-Montana: 20%, Villars-Gryon: 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 Crans-Montana and Villars-Gryon 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.