Why Copper Mountain is Unlike Any Other Ski Resort
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Copper Mountain is a Colorado Ski Resort that is simply down to business. Sure, the village has plenty of après ski spots, sport shops and even a killer doughnut house, but that’s not the main draw. It’s a place people come to charge the slopes leaving the glitz and glam some resorts offer behind.
There are plenty of points that make Copper Mountain stand out, but we are going to narrow in on three of our favorites.
1. Ease of navigation.
The mountain runs West to East or easy to most difficult. Beginners- stick to the West Village and you will never accidentally end up on a run that is over your head. Take the Kokomo and Lumberjack lifts for a good warm up. For a step up, take the Union Creek chair to find some green runs with a steeper pitch. As you move East on the resort, the terrain becomes more difficult allowing for an easy progression as you improve your skills.
2. Serious Snowmaking.
Copper Mountain is home to the US Ski Team and other National Teams before they head to the World Circuit. This is because the mountain is skiable as early as October. Copper invests heavily in snow-making operations allowing athletes to start pre-season training in the fall. The mountain sits at over 9,000 feet, making it a snap for the fresh made snow to keep the powdery substance skiers crave.
3. No Repeat Runs.
Copper has, in-bounds, over 140 trails/runs, 2465 skiable acres and a peak heigth of 12,313 feet. Anyone staying for a long weekend of all levels of practice can find new terrain to check out. Experts hungry for first tracks should take the Super Bee lift to the Storm King T-bar lift which will shoot you to the Spaulding Bowl and Upper Enchanted Forest. This are is double black diamonds only- enjoy!
Where to Stay:
The Tucker Mountain Lodge, operated by the resort, offers condo style lodging with a full service kitchen, living and dining area and bedroom(s). Here, you have easy access to the village and are less than 5 minutes from the American Eagle and American Flyer lifts. Other ammenties include a modest fitness center and outdoor hottub. With a stay here you also have aceess to an indoor lap pool at the site check in.
Rates: One bedroom condos start at $335 a night
Catch Happy Hour: Right at the base of Center Village, grab a spot at the Incline- a bar and grill with happy hour specials running from 3-5 daily. Find standard apps like pretzels and nachos or go for the house special- wild boar cranberry sausage baked in a pretzel with saukerkraut and mustard. House wine runs $4.50 a glass and select Colorado drafts are priced at 4 bucks.
Carri’s Catch: For a different way to get down the hill, check out the four tubing runs in the East Village ($26 person) that are staggered from the slowest to the quickest lane. During the one-hour sessions, guides ask if you want heavy spin or light spin to roll up the banked turns. Or, b-line it to the base with a solid push.
