Comparison
Jackson Hole vs Vail: which has more reliable snow?
Jackson Hole or Vail? Natural snow month by month, at the village, mid-mountain and summit, from eleven winters of weather data.
Month by month
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 Jackson Hole has had the edge more often. Month by month, Jackson Hole has the edge in November, December and May.
Month by month
November: Jackson Hole 0 of 11, Vail 0 of 11 snow-sure winters (23% and 4% of days).
December: Jackson Hole 7 of 11, Vail 4 of 11 snow-sure winters (89% and 66% of days).
January: Jackson Hole 11 of 11, Vail 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
February: Jackson Hole 11 of 11, Vail 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
March: Jackson Hole 11 of 11, Vail 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
April: Jackson Hole 11 of 11, Vail 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
May: Jackson Hole 7 of 11, Vail 2 of 11 snow-sure winters (92% 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
Jackson Hole and Vail are 578 km apart as the crow flies. Jackson Hole first, then Vail: Village 1,924 m against 2,475 m; Mid-mountain 2,554 m against 3,001 m; Summit 3,185 m against 3,527 m. Mapped downhill runs: Jackson Hole 79 km, Vail 215 km (OpenStreetMap).
In February, the village had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days at Jackson Hole and 99% at Vail.
Questions
Which has more reliable snow, Jackson Hole or Vail?
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 4 months of the year, but Jackson Hole has had the edge more often. Month by month, Jackson Hole has the edge in November, December and May.
Which has better snow down to the village, Jackson Hole or Vail?
In February, Jackson Hole: its village had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on 100% of days, against 99%.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.