Purgatory comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than The Highlands at Harbor Springs. The Highlands at Harbor Springs still has plenty to offer, especially for beginners and intermediate skiers who don't need the biggest mountain. But if you want the fuller experience, Purgatory wins this one.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| The Highlands at Harbor Springs | Purgatory | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 165m (541ft) | 614m (2,014ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 365m (1,198ft) | 3,299m (10,823ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 200m (656ft) | 2,685m (8,809ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 360cm (142in) | 660cm (260in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 55 | 105 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 8 | 11 |
Skiable Area Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares | 175ha (432ac) | 651ha (1,609ac) |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 30% | 23% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 45% | 51% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 25% | 26% |
Purgatory has a clear edge across most measurable categories. It's the stronger choice for most skiers making this comparison.
Purgatory has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.
Purgatory gets substantially more snow each season — a meaningful edge for powder seekers and late-season skiing.
The Highlands at Harbor Springs has a slight edge in beginner-friendly terrain, with a bit more dedicated green-run acreage.
Purgatory is much larger — significantly more trails means more variety and far less chance of skiing the same run twice in a week.
Purgatory's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.
The Highlands at Harbor Springs has more beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Purgatory wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.
Purgatory gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
The Highlands at Harbor Springs 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.
Purgatory gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Purgatory is the larger mountain by trail count (The Highlands at Harbor Springs: 55 trails, Purgatory: 105 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 (The Highlands at Harbor Springs: 25%, Purgatory: 26%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.
The Highlands at Harbor Springs 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 — check current program reviews before booking.
Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.