Champéry / Portes du Soleil comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than Leysin. Leysin still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Champéry / Portes du Soleil wins this one.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Leysin | Champéry / Portes du Soleil | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 1,170m (3,839ft) | 1,900m (6,234ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 2,200m (7,218ft) | 2,466m (8,091ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 1,030m (3,379ft) | 566m (1,857ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 500cm (197in) | 600cm (236in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 60 | 200 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 17 | 195 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 800ha (1,977ac) | 5,800ha (14,332ac) |
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% |
Champéry / Portes du Soleil has a clear edge across most measurable categories. It's the stronger choice for most skiers making this comparison.
Champéry / Portes du Soleil has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.
Champéry / Portes du Soleil 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.
Champéry / Portes du Soleil is much larger — significantly more trails means more variety and far less chance of skiing the same run twice in a week.
Leysin's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Champéry / Portes du Soleil wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.
Champéry / Portes du Soleil gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Leysin: 30%, Champéry / Portes du Soleil: 30%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Champéry / Portes du Soleil gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Champéry / Portes du Soleil is the larger mountain by trail count (Leysin: 60 trails, Champéry / Portes du Soleil: 200 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 (Leysin: 20%, Champéry / Portes du Soleil: 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 Leysin and Champéry / Portes du Soleil 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.