Heavenly Mountain Resort is the stronger all-round pick here — it offers more vertical than Sunday River. That said, Sunday River is no slouch, and beginners in particular may prefer what it offers. For most holiday skiers, Heavenly Mountain Resort delivers more mountain for your trip.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Heavenly Mountain Resort | Sunday River | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 1,067m (3,501ft) | 631m (2,070ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 3,060m (10,039ft) | 953m (3,127ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 1,994m (6,542ft) | 322m (1,056ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 914cm (360in) | 410cm (161in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 97 | 139 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 28 | 18 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 1,942ha (4,799ac) | 354ha (875ac) |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 20% | 25% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 45% | 40% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 35% | 35% |
Heavenly Mountain Resort edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.
Heavenly Mountain Resort has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.
Heavenly Mountain Resort gets substantially more snow each season — a meaningful edge for powder seekers and late-season skiing.
Sunday River has a slight edge in beginner-friendly terrain, with a bit more dedicated green-run acreage.
Sunday River is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.
Heavenly Mountain Resort's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Sunday River has more dedicated beginner terrain, making it a better fit for first-timers or parents skiing with young kids.
Heavenly Mountain Resort wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.
Heavenly Mountain Resort gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Sunday River is the better pick for beginners. It dedicates more of its mountain to green runs and easy terrain, which means less time hunting for appropriate slopes and more time building confidence.
Heavenly Mountain Resort gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Sunday River is the larger mountain by trail count (Heavenly Mountain Resort: 97 trails, Sunday River: 139 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 (Heavenly Mountain Resort: 35%, Sunday River: 35%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.
Sunday River is generally the better family resort based on its terrain mix. More beginner-friendly slopes means children and less experienced parents have plenty of room to ski without feeling pushed beyond their comfort zone. That said, both resorts have established ski schools — check current program reviews before booking.
Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.