La Villa / Alta Badia (additional) comes out ahead overall — it offers a larger, more varied mountain than Damüls-Mellau. Damüls-Mellau still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, La Villa / Alta Badia (additional) wins this one.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Damüls-Mellau | La Villa / Alta Badia (additional) | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 1,110m (3,642ft) | 887m (2,910ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 2,050m (6,726ft) | 2,087m (6,847ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 700m (2,297ft) | 1,200m (3,937ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 930cm (366in) | 600cm (236in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 109 | 130 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 29 | 53 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 109ha (269ac) | 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 | 50% | 60% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 20% | 10% |
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.
Damüls-Mellau has somewhat more vertical drop, giving a slightly longer ride on most runs.
Damüls-Mellau 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.
La Villa / Alta Badia (additional) is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.
La Villa / Alta Badia (additional)'s higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Damüls-Mellau has a comparable amount of beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Damüls-Mellau gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Damüls-Mellau: 30%, La Villa / Alta Badia (additional): 30%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Damüls-Mellau gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
La Villa / Alta Badia (additional) is the larger mountain by trail count (Damüls-Mellau: 109 trails, La Villa / Alta Badia (additional): 130 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.
Damüls-Mellau 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.
Both Damüls-Mellau and La Villa / Alta Badia (additional) 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.