Bear Creek Mountain Resort comes out ahead overall. It offers a larger, more varied mountain than Howelsen Hill. Howelsen Hill still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Bear Creek Mountain Resort is the stronger pick.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Howelsen Hill | Bear Creek Mountain Resort | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 134m (440ft) | 160m (525ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 2,255m (7,398ft) | 340m (1,115ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 2,121m (6,959ft) | 180m (591ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 533cm (210in) | 76cm (30in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 17 | 21 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 5 | 7 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 19ha (47ac) | 35ha (86ac) |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 30% | 45% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 40% | 27% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 30% | 27% |
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.
Both resorts have comparable vertical drop, so you'll get a similar length run at either mountain.
Howelsen Hill gets substantially more snow each season, a meaningful edge for powder seekers and late-season skiing.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort dedicates significantly more of the mountain to beginner runs, a much friendlier option for new skiers and snowboarders.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.
Howelsen Hill's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer, giving better conditions through the day and into spring.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort has more dedicated beginner terrain, making it a better fit for first-timers or parents skiing with young kids.
Howelsen Hill gets more snow annually, giving better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort 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.
Howelsen Hill gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort is the larger mountain by trail count (Howelsen Hill: 17 trails, Bear Creek Mountain Resort: 21 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 (Howelsen Hill: 30%, Bear Creek Mountain Resort: 27%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort 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, so check current program reviews before booking.
Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.