The Ski Resort
Copper Mountain is located about 75 miles west of Denver. It opened in November 1972, hosted the Alpine Skiing World Cup tour in 1976 and, over the years, grew to its current size of 2,465 acres offering 142 trails and 23 lifts in total. These days, Copper Mountain is one of Colorado’s premier year-round resorts for both summer and winter service featuring an almost equal share of beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert runs.
The north facing peaks of Copper Mountain offer an excellent terrain for expert and intermediate, but also beginner skiers, while it boasts a naturally divided ski domain that allows for every ability level to ski the terrain most appropriate for them. What’s more is that each and every skier of those three domains can ski back into the base area. Beginners are in best hands at Kokomo lift serving plenty of greens. After some practice, head uphill via Union Creek, Lumberjack or American Flyer.
Intermediate and advanced skiers are in good keeping at the groomers served by the American Eagle lift and Timberline Express. Real experts should head to the area around Resolution, Alpine or Super Bee in order to enjoy challenging double diamonds. Advanced skiers should definitely make use of a snowcat ride to Tucker Mountain opening up some steep, ungroomed runs.
Moreover, Copper Mountain is also a paradise for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. Experience great moments at Main Vein Superpipe, Woodward Copper Central Park, which is next to Loverly Lane serviced by the American Flyer lift, Eagle Jib Park or the Upper and Lower Playground Parks.
Interesting facts
- Offering 1,014 ha of slopes and terrain, Copper Mountain is among the 10 largest Ski Resorts in Colorado.
- Copper Mountain is among the 5 best rated Ski Resorts in the USA.
- It is among the 10 most family-friendly ski Resorts in the USA.
- Elevated between 2,946 m and 3,792 m, the Ski Resort is among the 10 highest elevated Ski Resorts in the USA. The vertical drop from summit to base is 846 m. The average difference in altitude between base and summit of Ski Resorts in the USA is 375 m. Most runs are therefore relatively long.
- Average snow depth during the season is 140 cm at summit elevation and 116 cm at base elevation. Snow coverage is usually best during March, offering an average snow depth of 182 cm at summit elevation and 146 cm at the base. Therefore Copper Mountain is among the 10 ski Resorts with best snow conditions in the USA.
- Copper Mountain features 81 sunny days on average per season. The average for all ski Resorts in the USA is 72 sunny days. April is the sunniest month with an average of 20 sunny days. This makes the ski resort one of the 10 sunniest in Colorado.
Snow Safety & Snowmaking
On Mountain Dining
Both at the lifts' base stations and on-mountain, tons of dining options are at your disposal: Check out T-Rex Grill located at the base of the Timberline Express lift. Enjoy a cold beer, nice BBQ dishes, great burgers or whatever you crave while relaxing on its outdoor deck with incredible views of the ski resort.
Located on-mountain, at the top of the American Flyer lift, Flyer's Soup Shack offers both comfy seats inside to warm up with some hot soup or fresh grill specialties and a nice patio to relax on when the sun is out with a neat craft beer or other cold beverages.
Craving some authentic Italian fare? Located at the base of the Super Bee lift, the Grand Hall Market offers daily lunch specials ranging from pastas, pizzas and paninis to burgers and sandwiches, soups and salads. At the top of the American Eagle lift, try out Solitude Station with its incredible burritos, fresh salads, delicious noodle bowls or pizza and breathtaking views.
Everyone who is into sushi should head to Jack's Slopeside Grill & Bar located in Center Village between the American Eagle and Flyer lifts. Apart from Asian specialties, Jack's features a variety of lunch selections, such as all-natural sandwiches, wraps and soups.
Must-Ski Runs
Advanced skiers should take the chance and take a snowcat ride to Tucker Mountain. The rides are free and definitely provide pure skiing liberty at Copper's amazing back bowls, so you will never wipe the smile off your face. Athletic skiers should head to the groomers Bouncer and Bittersweet served by the American Eage Lift. Each one of them is a true must do for all experienced ski lovers out there.
Videos
Activities
One of Copper Mountain’s free snowshoe tours is definitely worth checking out. Who’s more into speed should kick off those ski boots and gather their family and friends in order to head to the tubing hill. That’s not enough and you’d like to get your adrenalin flowing even more? Check out the Alpine Rush zip line, which allows riders to fly side-by-side soaring over Copper’s West Lake.
Afterwards, pay a visit to Après Alley to enjoy some live music with craft cocktails, ping pong, jenga and other fun games. You are more into shopping or wellness? Pamper yourself with a neat shopping tour at Copper or with a facial massage at Copper Mountain Spa & Athletic Club. Make sure to jump into the pool, spend some quality time in its hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms.
What’s more is Copper’s amazing offer for parents: Kids’ Night Out is a free childcare service provided on condition of spending $30 per child shopping or dining during their stay.
Après-Ski and Nightlife
Jill's Umbrella Bar located in Center Village next to the American Flyer chairlift is well-known for its happy hour specials from 3pm to 6pm every day. You are free to choose from drink, shot or draft specials. Moreover, Jill's distinctive European setting, its great views of the mountain and a delicious full food menu will definitely answer all your needs and make you feel at home.
Another recommendation is On the Rockies, Copper's newest bar specialized for whiskey, crafts and selected wines. Experience their excellent menu and let their professional bartenders get you your favorite drink on top. Snowbridge Square is another spot awaiting you. Besides cold beer, spirits, mixers and champagne, you might also want to give their wine list a try.
Dining and Restaurants
Copper’s dining experience indeed spans the globe and satisfies everyone. Its great service called Dine-In-Delivery delivers the best fare right to your door from 5pm to 10pm daily. Gustino’s Lakeside Pizzeria is located in Center Village near West Lake and offers New York style pizza with imported Italian tomatoes and cheeses. Enjoy their delicious slices wherever you’d like.
JJ’s Tavern is located in Copper Station and open for both lunch and dinner giving you the chance to really enjoy tasty food and mouth-watering drinks. They also have gluten free and vegetarian options on the menu. Mahi’s Street Tacos is new at Copper offering fresh street tacos with great fillings as well as margaritas and sangrias. Go visit this new spot and check out their outdoor patio as soon as the sun comes out.
Getting here
Copper Mountain Resort is located approximately 75 miles west of Denver and just 20 miles east of Vail. Just keep following I-70 until exit 195. Getting to the mountain is more than easy thanks to car rental and airport shuttle options, such as Summit Express. Moreover, arriving via SkiCarpool is highly recommendable, not only to meet new people and make friends, but also to save money and protect the environment.