Copper Mountain Ski Resort Guide & Reviews Ski Area, Apres-Ski, Things to See & Do at Copper Mountain
Overview
Copper Mountain is a very high altitude pedestrianised village in Summit County, Colorado. The resort is known for being extremely family friendly, easy to get around on foot and caters for all levels of skier and boarder.
Après-ski
While best known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding terrain, Copper also offers a lively apres-ski scene with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants, around the 3 villages and all within walking distance of your accommodation.
Wellness & Spa
Pamper yourself at the Copper Mountain Spa & Athletic Club. The state of the art facilities offer a wide range of treatments and is the perfect way to relax after a hard day touring the mountain.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 2926m |
| Top lift | 3767m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Ski area (acre) | 2465 |
| Longest run | 3 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 25 km |
| Season | Nov - April |
| Snowboard parks | 7 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✔ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Lively and fun |
Copper Mountain Ski Area Guide
Copper Mountain offers a ski and ride experience for every age, interest and ability level. As you move west to east, the terrain gradually progresses from easiest to most difficult. The gentle terrain that defines the west side of Copper Mountain provides a natural, progressive learning environment, while the east side of the mountain features long, steep runs.
Beginners
Absolute beginners dont need a lift pass whilst learning the basics - they use the magic carpet for free. Once the basics are in place, the beginners head to the west side where there are plenty of wide and easy trails.
Intermediate
Depending on your level, intermediates spend most of their time somewhere between the east and west ski areas where the pistes are not that steep and over in the back bowls where the off-piste is superb.
Advanced
Only 18% of the trails are classified as expert but thats only half the story. Its the sheer amount of off-piste that attracts the advanced skiers and boarders especially with the ridiculously steep chutes on the west side and the deep powder in Copper Bowl.
Cross-country
Nordic skiing is very popular and there are 25km of groomed trails in the resort. For the more adventerous, you can try off-track cross-country skiing. This involves short climbs before reaping the benefits - wide skis and good edges are required.
Childcare
Critterland is located at the bottom of the Tubing Hill in the East Village. It is an interactive snow play area for parents and children in addition to the creche facilities at the Belly Button Babies & Bakery (6 months to 6 years).
If you are on a family ski holiday, you'll love the free childcare from 5.30pm to 10pm every Wednesday through to Saturday. The only requirement is that parents spend $30 per child on shopping or dining in the resort when the kids are in the program.
Snowcat tours
Expert skiers can take advantage of the free snowcat tours (with lift pass) around Copper Bowl off Tucker Mountain. This in-bounds cat skiing experience is as close to a backcountry, big mountain experience as you can without venturing out of bounds.
The tour features steep chutes as well as pristine treeless runs that will thrill and challenge expert skiers and boarders.
Copper Mountain Accommodation
The resort is split in to 3 villages - East, Centre and West with each one offering a unique experience providing a variety of lodging options from ski-in/ski-out condos, lodges and chalets to 5-star hotels.
Many families opt for the convenience of staying in a self catering vacation rental such as a lodge or condo as this allows more flexibility especially with very young children and they are great value for money.
Other activities
A superb resort for all the family with many things to see and do no matter what age. A few suggestions for your ski holidays...
- Try ice skating or broomball on the frozen West lake
- Tubing
- Toboganning on a 7km track
- Experience the Zip-line - great fun for the kids
- Sleigh rides
- In-door tennis in the sports centre
- Learn some new tricks in the Woodward Barn centre with trampoline harness system and foam pits
Our view on Copper Mountain
If you like family friendly ski resorts, long cruising blues, deep powder bowls and tree lined skiing, similar resorts to Copper Mountain include Beaver Creek and Sun Peaks in the Canadian Rockies.
