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Copper Mountain Ski Resort
This place has come a long way from the days miners and loggers lived in rough and tumble towns here. Today its ski villages have all the modcons - complete with heated walkways that connect restaurants, shops and nightlife and a warren of activity. Underground parking keeps cars out of sight and even the sun’s position was noted for the villages’ “gathering places”. Expect to be impressed. These, and much lower prices by the by, are the reason you might pick Copper over Breckenridge, which is just over the hill.
We say “villages”, because Copper is just that – 3 separate, purpose-built villages beneath the high Copper and Union Creek peaks of the 10 Mile Range. By some mountain miracle, like the villages, the terrain here is also neatly divided into 3 and visitors tend to pitch camp in the base beneath their preferred terrain (beginners in the West Village; seasoned skiers in the East; intermediates in between). It’s not the case that you have to stick to that area for the whole trip – a bus runs speedily around the whole area, shuttling skiers to their favorite shops and bars.
With Colorado’s capital, Denver 75 miles to the east, Denver International Airport is just under a two-hour drive away. Eagle County Airport is even closer, taking about an hour in the car. Nearby ski resorts include Breckenridge and Vail, both under half an hour’s drive away.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Colorado, USA
Established: 1972
Open: November - April
Downhill: 465 acres / 140 runs
View our detailed Copper Mountain snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Copper Mountain snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | 100 miles, 2 hours |
| Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) | 55 miles, 1h10 |
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| Top Altitude: | 3767m / 12,313ft |
| Bottom Altitude: | 2926m / 9712ft |
| Resort Altitude: | 2926m / 9712ft |
| Longest run: | 1.7 miles / 2.73km |
| Slope Orientation: | |
| Vertical Drop: | |
| Skiable Vertical: | 793m / 2601ft |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 465 acres / 140 runs |
| Beginner slopes: | 21% |
| Intermediate: | 25% |
| Advanced slopes: | 54% |
| Lift Pass Price: | $100 (adult pass per day) |
| Nearby resorts: Breckenridge, Vail | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Copper Mountain
Keeping speedsters at arm’s length from timid beginners, Copper is renowned for the fact that its 2465 acres are sensibly divided into different abilities, making it a place all can let loose and learn without collisions.
With about 21% of the mountain to themselves, learners will love the long, flowing tree-lined runs here, with some of the least intimidating around the Pitchfork double chair between East and Center. Once one of the terrific Ski & Ride School’s many programmes has you on your feet, you can hop on the Rendevous lift to the top of the mountain for gentle slopes bathed in the breathtaking views from atop the 10 Mile Range.
Intermediates can spend their days skiing the Timberline express area but massive intermediate terrain also exists off the Super Bee and American Eagle chairs. Challenging stuff too – like superfast rolling groomers, Copperfield and Jacque’s Pique. West Encore is a gentle transition into black level skiing.
With access via (usually free) snowcat, experts have a high alpine area taking in Copper Bowl and the terrain off Tucker Mountain. But if you don’t make to the cat in time, there are plenty more lift-accessed blacks to keep you busy. Runs under the Super Bee chair at Mach 2.5 give a real buzz, beginning as blues and getting blacker as you swoop into East Village. Less frequented, more bumped are the black runs under the Alpine Chair. Glade lovers have lucked out here, with expert-level secret glades literally everywhere (don’t miss the ones in the Enchanted Forest areas).
For budding boarders, by hook or by crook, come to Copper, if just for the 19,000 sq ft Woodward Barn. This is an indoor mix of jumps, ‘cliffs’, and skate ramps that lets riders try out tricks without breaking bones (it’s dotted with foam crash pads and trampolines). Camps and evening sessions will help you nail your first grab or land your first double cork. When you’re up and running, the Eagle Jib Park lets you show off what you’ve learnt.
Copper Mountain Apres Ski
While several of the bars here power down as late as 2am, drinks deals left, right and centre see most of the energy going into après. JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern (East) is one of the liveliest après spots of the lot and has three happy hours from 3 to 6pm, while of the many bars at Center, lots flock to Incline for $3 microbrews.
Fine-dining’s hard to find in Copper, but its 25 restaurants do hearty, home-grown American fare like the best of them. The CB Grille delivers deliciousness with creative local cuisine, while Endo’s Adrenaline Café does burgers, fries and all the good stuff in big portions.
Besides scoffing and slurping, there’s plenty to do after hours. Choose to strap on your skates and spend the afternoon ice skating around West Lake or take a snowmobiling tour in the Arapahoe National Forest. Set off on a sleigh ride, go dog sledding, or check out East Village’s night snow tubing hills - it has five lanes of action, banked turns and a mandatory (if you don’t want to lose the respect of your fellow tubers) jump. If adults fear they’ve overdone the hot chocolates, the great big Copper Mountain Racquet and Athletic Club has an indoor lap pool, spa and a top-notch gym. Just 15 minutes’ drive away, quaint, historic Frisco and designer-outlet Silverthorne are destination shopping spots that you don’t want to miss.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Copper Mountain
Best time to visit & ski Copper Mountain
Strategically positioned just west of the 10 Mile Range, storms tend to roll in and get beaten back by the range, dropping masses of the legendary Colorado white stuff all over Copper – light and dry and often deliciously deep. The resort sees 280 inches (710cm) of snowfall on average a year. To play it super safe, March typically sees the most snow, with an average of almost 53 inches. With one of Colorado’s highest base elevations of 9712 feet (2960m), paired with brilliant snowmaking, conditions are usually crisp – leaving the snow pristine for weeks at a time. All this makes Copper superbly snowsure, and sees some of the best early and late season conditions in any North American ski area. With 300 sunny days a year to boot, there’s a high chance the breath-taking views from the top of Copper Peak can be enjoyed whether you’re here in December or April.
Peak Dates
Christmas in Copper Mountain sees all manner of festivities, from music and fireworks to a glow-stick pageant and torchlight parade.
Look out for moonlit suppers on the slopes, a torchllit parade and fireworks which have taken place here in recent seasons over New Year in Copper Mountain.
Families and teachers will love Half Term in Copper Mountain, where the carefully thought out villages and ski area make life hassle free.
Colorado’s biggest egg hunt usually takes place over Easter in Copper Mountain, with eggs strewn around the villages and mountain.
Families in Copper Mountain
Copper seems to try especially hard to make family holidays amazing. For the youngest guests, the resort's childcare programmes - Belly Button Bakery and Belly Button Babies - are both located in the Center Village, providing award-winning day care for children ages two months to four years. The highlight of the day is invariably when the mixing bowls come out and the children get to bake their own cookies. These facilities offer combined indoor and outdoor play for older children and a specially designed, separate area for infants. The Belly Button facility's proximity to the slopes allows both a quick morning drop-off and time for quick check-ins without disrupting anyone's schedule. The 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. day is longer than at most North American ski areas. It allows the rest of the family time to get organised both before and after the ski day, without the usual panic to get junior in to day care so that older kids can rush to make ski school classes.
Talking of which, Kids Headquarters is Copper's ski school for sprogs aged 4 through to 12 and is dedicated to the concept that convenience equals fun for everyone. From your first steps through the door, Copper's qualified instructors take over: getting the kids checked-in, feeling comfortable and fitted with equipment at the on-site kid's rental shop. A morning ski session followed by lunch in the Kids Headquarters kid-sized cafeteria lies ahead, then it's back outside for more skiing fun before the parents arrive at 3:15 pm. The early end to the day at Kids Headquarters is specially designed to leave time for the whole family to ski another run together, allowing the kids to show off what they've learned. For kids looking to try 'boarding, the Copper Mountain Ski School also offers youth-only snowboard lessons for children 8 years and older. Specially designated Family Ski Zones mean the whole group can ski together at its own speed. Family Ski Zones are fenced-off areas located on beginner and intermediate terrain on the west side of Copper Mountain, designed for family teaching. They provide the perfect environment for quality together-time for skiers of all ages. If the children are the ones needing a break, the acclaimed Kid's Night Out program offers them a "kids only" night of pizza, videos, fun and games for children 2 to 8 years old - participation is free as long as the parents dine or shop within Copper Mountain's Village.
GroupsGroup Holidays Copper Mountain
The Centre Village makes a brilliant base for mixed ability groups, as everyone can easily reach the gentler and more advanced terrain on either side of the ski area. For non-skiers, there’s no end to the activities available from ice skating to tubing. If you’re travelling as a large group of more than 20, often the ticket office provides discounted rates. Images: Tripp Fay & Copper Mountain Resort.
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