Grand Targhee comes out ahead overall — it offers better snowfall than Steamboat Ski Resort. Steamboat Ski Resort still has plenty to offer, especially for intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Grand Targhee wins this one.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Steamboat Ski Resort | Grand Targhee | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 884m (2,900ft) | 656m (2,152ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 3,221m (10,568ft) | 3,014m (9,888ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 2,103m (6,900ft) | 2,362m (7,749ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 889cm (350in) | 1,295cm (510in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 169 | 95 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 18 | 5 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 1,165ha (2,879ac) | 1,052ha (2,600ac) |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 14% | 10% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 42% | 70% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 44% | 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.
Steamboat Ski Resort has somewhat more vertical drop, giving a slightly longer ride on most runs.
Grand Targhee 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.
Steamboat Ski Resort is much larger — significantly more trails means more variety and far less chance of skiing the same run twice in a week.
Grand Targhee's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
Steamboat Ski Resort has a comparable amount of beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Grand Targhee gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Steamboat Ski Resort: 14%, Grand Targhee: 10%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.
Grand Targhee gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Steamboat Ski Resort is the larger mountain by trail count (Steamboat Ski Resort: 169 trails, Grand Targhee: 95 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.
Steamboat Ski Resort has a higher percentage of expert terrain. If you're an advanced skier who will spend most of your day on black and double-black runs, that extra challenge is worth considering when choosing between these two.
Both Steamboat Ski Resort and Grand Targhee 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.