Vail vs Palisades Tahoe — 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
Palisades Tahoe
California, USA
- Elevation
- 2,745m / 9,006ft
- Annual Snowfall
- 662cm
- Best Month
- January
- Powder Probability
- 58%
- Season Snowfall
- 628cm
Monthly Snowfall Comparison
| Month | Vail (cm) | Palisades Tahoe (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| November | 35.6 | 57.7 |
| December | 44.2 | 123.3 |
| January | 44.7 | 137.6 |
| February | 46.8 | 127.9 |
| March | 51.3 | 137.2 |
| April | 47 | 44.2 |
Which Resort Gets More Snow?
Based on 10 years of data, Palisades Tahoe receives more annual snowfall (662cm) compared to Vail (333cm) — a difference of 329cm per year. The best month for powder at Vail is March (31% probability), while Palisades Tahoe's best is January (58% 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 Palisades Tahoe, the snowiest month is January, averaging 137.6cm and spanning 15cm to 405cm 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.