Vail vs Alta — Snowfall Comparison
Side-by-side snowfall comparison based on 10 years of historical data (2015–2025). See which resort gets more snow, the best months for powder, and how they compare on elevation and location.
Vail
Colorado, USA
- Elevation
- 3,527m / 11,572ft
- Annual Snowfall
- 333cm
- Best Month
- March
- Powder Probability
- 31%
- Season Snowfall
- 270cm
Alta
Utah, USA
- Elevation
- 3,374m / 11,070ft
- Annual Snowfall
- 490cm
- Best Month
- March
- Powder Probability
- 53%
- Season Snowfall
- 400cm
Monthly Snowfall Comparison
| Month | Vail (cm) | Alta (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| November | 35.6 | 47 |
| December | 44.2 | 60.3 |
| January | 44.7 | 78.2 |
| February | 46.8 | 72.6 |
| March | 51.3 | 78.9 |
| April | 47 | 62.9 |
Which Resort Gets More Snow?
Based on 10 years of data, Alta receives more annual snowfall (490cm) compared to Vail (333cm) — a difference of 157cm per year. The best month for powder at Vail is March (31% probability), while Alta's best is March (53% probability).
Snow History: 10 Winters of Data
This comparison draws on 10 consecutive winters of snowfall records (2015–2025) for each resort. Over that span, Vail's snowiest month has been March, averaging 51.3cm but ranging from a lean 23cm in the driest winter to 80cm in the deepest — a swing that shows how much any single season can vary. At Alta, the snowiest month is March, averaging 78.9cm and spanning 41cm to 155cm across the record. Comparing these historical ranges, rather than a single season, is the most reliable way to judge which resort delivers more dependable snow for the dates you want to ski.