Windham Mountain vs Champéry / Portes du Soleil — Which Is Better?

Champéry / Portes du Soleil comes out ahead overall — it offers more vertical than Windham Mountain. Windham Mountain 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.

Side-by-Side Stats

Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.

Windham MountainChampéry / Portes du Soleil
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
488m (1,601ft)1,900m (6,234ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
1,097m (3,599ft)2,466m (8,091ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
488m (1,601ft)566m (1,857ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
305cm (120in)600cm (236in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
54200
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
12195
Skiable Area
Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares
113ha (279ac)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
45%50%
Advanced Terrain
Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge
25%20%

Category Breakdown

Champéry / Portes du Soleil has a clear edge across most measurable categories. It's the stronger choice for most skiers making this comparison.

Vertical DropChampéry / Portes du Soleil wins

Champéry / Portes du Soleil has significantly more vertical — a full run takes noticeably longer and the mountain feels much bigger.

Annual SnowfallChampéry / Portes du Soleil wins

Champéry / Portes du Soleil gets substantially more snow each season — a meaningful edge for powder seekers and late-season skiing.

Beginner TerrainSimilar

Both resorts offer a similar proportion of beginner terrain — neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.

Mountain SizeChampéry / Portes du Soleil wins

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.

Snow PreservationSimilar

Both resorts sit at similar base elevations, so snow quality and preservation are comparable.

Who Should Choose Which?

Champéry / Portes du Soleil
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

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
Powder chasers and late-season skiers

Champéry / Portes du Soleil gets more snow annually — better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for beginners — Windham Mountain or Champéry / Portes du Soleil?

Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Windham Mountain: 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.

Which resort gets more snow — Windham Mountain or Champéry / Portes du Soleil?

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.

Which mountain is bigger — Windham Mountain or Champéry / Portes du Soleil?

Champéry / Portes du Soleil is the larger mountain by trail count (Windham Mountain: 54 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.

Which has better terrain for expert skiers?

Windham Mountain 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.

Which resort is better for families?

Both Windham Mountain 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.

Related Comparisons

Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.

Full Stats