Damüls-Mellau comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than Saint-Lary-Soulan. Saint-Lary-Soulan 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.
| Saint-Lary-Soulan | Damüls-Mellau | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 850m (2,789ft) | 1,110m (3,642ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 2,515m (8,251ft) | 2,050m (6,726ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 1,700m (5,577ft) | 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 | 100 | 109 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 31 | 29 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 100ha (247ac) | 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% |
Damüls-Mellau edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.
Damüls-Mellau has somewhat more vertical drop, giving a slightly longer ride on most runs.
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.
Both resorts are similar in size — you'll have roughly the same amount of terrain to explore.
Saint-Lary-Soulan's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Damüls-Mellau wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.
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 (Saint-Lary-Soulan: 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 (Saint-Lary-Soulan: 100 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 (Saint-Lary-Soulan: 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 Saint-Lary-Soulan 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.