Comparison
Aspen Snowmass vs Vail: which has more reliable snow?
Aspen Snowmass or Vail? Natural snow month by month, at the village, mid-mountain and summit, from eleven winters of weather data.
The season at a glance
Each cell is one month: the share of days with 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow at mid-mountain over the last 11 winters, from brown (often thin) to deep blue (snow-sure). Blank means almost none.
The short answer
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 4 months of the year, but Aspen Snowmass has had the edge more often. Month by month, Aspen Snowmass has the edge in May.
Month by month
December: Aspen Snowmass 4 of 11, Vail 4 of 11 snow-sure winters (63% and 66% of days).
January: Aspen Snowmass 10 of 11, Vail 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (94% and 100% of days).
February: Aspen Snowmass 11 of 11, Vail 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
March: Aspen Snowmass 11 of 11, Vail 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
April: Aspen Snowmass 11 of 11, Vail 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
May: Aspen Snowmass 7 of 11, Vail 2 of 11 snow-sure winters (78% and 62% of days).
A snow-sure winter is one where mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on at least 90% of that month’s days.
Height and terrain
Aspen Snowmass and Vail are 68 km apart as the crow flies. Aspen Snowmass first, then Vail: Village 2,473 m against 2,475 m; Mid-mountain 3,143 m against 3,001 m; Summit 3,813 m against 3,527 m. Mapped downhill runs: Aspen Snowmass 120 km, Vail 215 km (OpenStreetMap).
In February, the village had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 97% of days at Aspen Snowmass and 99% at Vail.
Questions
Which has more reliable snow, Aspen Snowmass or Vail?
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 4 months of the year, but Aspen Snowmass has had the edge more often. Month by month, Aspen Snowmass has the edge in May.
Which has better snow down to the village, Aspen Snowmass or Vail?
In February, Vail: its village had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on 99% of days, against 97%.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.