Damüls-Mellau comes out ahead overall — it offers better snowfall than Laax. Laax still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Damüls-Mellau wins this one.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Laax | Damüls-Mellau | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 1,834m (6,017ft) | 1,110m (3,642ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 3,018m (9,902ft) | 2,050m (6,726ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 1,100m (3,609ft) | 700m (2,297ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 600cm (236in) | 930cm (366in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 70 | 109 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 28 | 29 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 2,350ha (5,807ac) | 109ha (269ac) |
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 | 50% | 50% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 20% | 20% |
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.
Laax has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.
Damüls-Mellau 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 — neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.
Damüls-Mellau is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.
Laax's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Laax has a comparable amount of beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Damüls-Mellau gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Laax: 30%, Damüls-Mellau: 30%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Damüls-Mellau gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Damüls-Mellau is the larger mountain by trail count (Laax: 70 trails, Damüls-Mellau: 109 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 (Laax: 20%, Damüls-Mellau: 20%). 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 Laax and Damüls-Mellau 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.