Windham Mountain vs Holiday Valley — Which Is Better?

Windham Mountain is the stronger all-round pick here — it offers more vertical than Holiday Valley. That said, Holiday Valley is no slouch, and beginners may prefer what it offers. For most holiday skiers, Windham Mountain delivers more mountain for your trip.

Side-by-Side Stats

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

Windham MountainHoliday Valley
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
488m (1,601ft)230m (755ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
1,097m (3,599ft)691m (2,267ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
488m (1,601ft)461m (1,512ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
305cm (120in)432cm (170in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
5460
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
1213
Skiable Area
Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares
113ha (279ac)121ha (299ac)
Beginner Terrain
Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers
30%25%
Intermediate Terrain
Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers
45%40%
Advanced Terrain
Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge
25%35%

Category Breakdown

Windham Mountain edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.

Vertical DropWindham Mountain wins

Windham Mountain has somewhat more vertical drop, giving a slightly longer ride on most runs.

Annual SnowfallHoliday Valley wins

Holiday Valley gets a bit more snow on average, giving it a slight edge for powder days.

Beginner TerrainWindham Mountain wins

Windham Mountain has a slight edge in beginner-friendly terrain, with a bit more dedicated green-run acreage.

Mountain SizeSimilar

Both resorts are similar in size — you'll have roughly the same amount of terrain to explore.

Snow PreservationSimilar

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

Who Should Choose Which?

Windham Mountain
Beginners and families with young children

Windham Mountain has more beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.

Windham Mountain
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

Windham Mountain wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.

Holiday Valley
Powder chasers and late-season skiers

Holiday Valley 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 Holiday Valley?

Windham Mountain 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.

Which resort gets more snow — Windham Mountain or Holiday Valley?

Holiday Valley 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 Holiday Valley?

Holiday Valley is the larger mountain by trail count (Windham Mountain: 54 trails, Holiday Valley: 60 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?

Holiday Valley 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?

Windham Mountain 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.

Related Comparisons

Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.

Full Stats