4 Vallées comes out ahead overall. It offers more vertical than Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Garmisch-Partenkirchen still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, 4 Vallées is the stronger pick.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen | 4 Vallées | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 1,340m (4,396ft) | 1,830m (6,004ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 2,830m (9,285ft) | 3,330m (10,925ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 730m (2,395ft) | 1,500m (4,921ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 300cm (118in) | 600cm (236in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 40 | 412 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 22 | 92 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 125ha (309ac) | — |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 20% | 17% |
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 | 30% | 33% |
4 Vallées has a clear edge across most measurable categories. It's the stronger choice for most skiers making this comparison.
4 Vallées has significantly more vertical: a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.
4 Vallées 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, so neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.
4 Vallées is much larger: significantly more trails means more variety and far less chance of skiing the same run twice in a week.
4 Vallées's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer, giving better conditions through the day and into spring.
4 Vallées wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers: more mountain to explore over a full week.
4 Vallées gets more snow annually, giving better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Garmisch-Partenkirchen: 20%, 4 Vallées: 17%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
4 Vallées gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
4 Vallées is the larger mountain by trail count (Garmisch-Partenkirchen: 40 trails, 4 Vallées: 412 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 (Garmisch-Partenkirchen: 30%, 4 Vallées: 33%). 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 Garmisch-Partenkirchen and 4 Vallées 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.