Flachau vs Beitostølen — Which Is Better?

Flachau is the stronger all-round pick here — it offers more vertical than Beitostølen. That said, Beitostølen is no slouch, and beginners may prefer what it offers. For most holiday skiers, Flachau 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.

FlachauBeitostølen
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
853m (2,799ft)460m (1,509ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
1,980m (6,496ft)1,150m (3,773ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
925m (3,035ft)690m (2,264ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
350cm (138in)400cm (157in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
27024
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
1009
Skiable Area
Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares
270ha (667ac)50ha (124ac)
Beginner Terrain
Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers
35%35%
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
15%15%

Category Breakdown

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

Vertical DropFlachau wins

Flachau has somewhat more vertical drop, giving a slightly longer ride on most runs.

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 SizeFlachau wins

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

Snow PreservationFlachau wins

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

Who Should Choose Which?

Flachau
Beginners and families with young children

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

Flachau
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

Flachau 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 — Flachau or Beitostølen?

Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Flachau: 35%, Beitostølen: 35%), 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 — Flachau or Beitostølen?

Flachau (350 cm/year) and Beitostølen (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 — Flachau or Beitostølen?

Flachau is the larger mountain by trail count (Flachau: 270 trails, Beitostølen: 24 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?

Both resorts offer a similar proportion of advanced terrain (Flachau: 15%, Beitostølen: 15%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.

Which resort is better for families?

Both Flachau and Beitostølen 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