Copper Mountain Colorado (US)

While this resort favors the beginner to advanced intermediate skier, this ski resort is very large and has something for everyone. You can enjoy skiing the trees, bowls, bumps, groomers or the terrain park. The advanced skier will enjoy the Eastern end of the mountain and the upper and backside bowls. These backside bowls are popular after a powder dump but often have delayed openings due to avalanche control. Copper has naturally divided terrain so that each skill level (beginner, intermediate and advanced) gets their own section of the mountain running from the West (beginner), central (intermediate) and East (advanced) with their own appropriate runs and lifts which helps keep the peace. Each zone also has its own village, West Village, Center Village and East Village.

Beginners and Intermediates:

Copper Mountain is nice for beginners because the beginner terrain is naturally separated from the advanced terrain. This avoids the dreaded co-mingling of beginners (slow) and advanced (fast) skiers.

West Village (Union Creek), has access at it's base, for beginner runs almost exclusively. Higher up the mountain off of "Timberline Express" one can reach some intermediate runs.

The central and main ski village gives you access to beginner and intermediate runs. The eastern part of the mountain accessible from "East Village" leads to the advanced runs and should be avoided by beginners. It is this natural division in the terrain, between west (easy) and east (advanced), which makes it a joy for beginners as they can stay in their section and enjoy the day without fear of engaging more challenging terrain accidentally.

Advanced Ski Terrain:

Copper mountain is physically divided into three areas with the East side of the mountain (serviced by "East Village") being home to the advanced terrain rated as single and double black diamond runs. The upper peaks of all three regions are also all rated exclusively single and double black diamond runs.

Bowls:

All of the bowls at Copper are at the upper elevations. Spaulding Bowl is a favorite of the advanced skiers with all of the bowl terrain marked as double black and gated so that one does not accidentally take this path unintentionally. Spaulding Bowl is also home to some serious mogul runs. Copper Bowl is also found at the upper elevations and is home to more double black diamond terrain. Copper and Spaulding Bowls are the only area on the mountain to have runs rated as "Extreme Terrain". This terrain is marked on the trail map as double black diamond runs with the addition of the letters "EX". Note that both of the back bowls at Copper Mountain close at 3:00 pm.

Resolution Bowl is a much smaller bowl formation located off of the top of Resolution lift. Union Bowl is at the top of Sierra lift and has a mix of single and double black diamond runs.

All four bowls at Copper are at the peak of the mountain, are at or above the tree line and are home to single, double and double "EX" black diamond level runs exclusively.

Moguls:

My favorite mogul runs are "Highline" and "Drain Pipe" off of Resolution lift in Spaulding Bowl. In fact this area served by the Resolution lift is abundant with steep terrain and moguls.

Trees:

It is frustrating trying to find a good tree run at Copper as one has to hunt for them. Most were too densely packed to ski but you will find trees on Union Meadows and Enchanted Forest (rather dense at times).

There are a variety of terrain parks hosting features rated small, medium and large to allow progression and development of skills. The main attraction is the terrain park at Copper Mountain which locates its half pipe just uphill from the main village. This fits into the category: "Large". The rails at the top of the "American Eagle" chair lift are your smaller features.

• Small:
  • Alliroo Alley
  • Lower Roundabout: on trail of the same name accessible from "Kokomo" lift
  • Green Acres: near East Village
  • Eagle: accessible from the top of "American Eagle" lift
  • Playground: accessible from "Union Creek" lift
• Medium:
  • Hidden Vein: on trail of the same name accessible from "Union Creek" lift
  • 13' Pipe: top of "Union Creek" lift
• Large:
  • Central Park: accessible from "Union Creek" lift
  • 22' Main Vein Superpipe: foot of "American Eagle" lift

The Copper tubing hill and "Critterland" play area are a joy for those not quite old enough to ski or board or those not athletically inclined enough to try. A rolling conveyor will take one to the top of the tubing hill so the effort is truly negligible. The course is fun with a bank turn and high sides to make sure your tube stays on its path. Fun for all ages. The tubing hill and "Critterland" play area is located in East Village.

There is an abundance of clothing shops and places to eat in the Village. For the local shopping mecca, head to the nearby town of Silverthorne for the outlet mall. The nearby town of Frisco also has shopping.

Check out our spherical panoramic "Virtual Tour" of Copper Mountain's Center Village
(best viewed in full screen mode)