Folgarida-Marilleva comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than Grandvalira. Grandvalira still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Folgarida-Marilleva wins this one.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Grandvalira | Folgarida-Marilleva | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 950m (3,117ft) | 1,500m (4,921ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 2,640m (8,661ft) | 2,179m (7,149ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 1,710m (5,610ft) | 950m (3,117ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 480cm (189in) | 600cm (236in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 138 | 156 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 65 | 60 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 210ha (519ac) | 150ha (371ac) |
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 | 45% | 55% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 25% | 15% |
Folgarida-Marilleva edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.
Folgarida-Marilleva has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.
Folgarida-Marilleva 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.
Both resorts are similar in size — you'll have roughly the same amount of terrain to explore.
Grandvalira's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Folgarida-Marilleva wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.
Folgarida-Marilleva gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Grandvalira: 30%, Folgarida-Marilleva: 30%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Folgarida-Marilleva gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Folgarida-Marilleva is the larger mountain by trail count (Grandvalira: 138 trails, Folgarida-Marilleva: 156 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.
Grandvalira 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 Grandvalira and Folgarida-Marilleva 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.