Copper Mountain Resort
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The last few ski seasons we have opted for the Rocky Mountain Super Pass due to our love for Copper Mountain Resort, more simply known as Copper to most folks out in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Super Pass includes unlimited ski days at Copper and Winter Park Resort. For those that also love a few weekend get-a-ways to Steamboat Springs, CO, there is the Rocky Mountain Super Plus Pass which offers the same benefits as the Super Pass, but tacks on 6 days of skiing or riding at Steamboat Ski Resort. Despite new ownership at Copper, the Rocky Mountain Super Pass and Super Plus Pass continue!
In 2006, Copper received approval from the White River National Forest to improve various aspects of the resort. The approval included plans for increased snow making, added lift service to Tucker Mountain, and trail expansion in the Union Meadows, Super Bee, and Fremont Glades areas. Fortunately, in 2010-2011, a few of those approved projects will come to fruition for the resort.
According to Colorado Ski Country, this year Copper will spend around $6 million for capital improvements. First and foremost, Copper will be increasing their snow making capacity by 25% which translates to better early season conditions for area skiers, as well as visiting ski race teams that often use the mountain for pre-season training. Greater coverage translates to spreading the skiers across the mountain and clearing out the Main Vein ski run which can get a tad (which is an understatement) congested in the early weeks of the season.
No new lifts this year, but there are plans for future lift service to Tucker Mountain and upgrades to a few of the slower chairs. Keep your fingers crossed. Until then, Copper will continue to have the powder day favorite of Cat access to Tucker Mountain.
Parking, or the lack there of, can also be a major drain to your ski day. So is paying an arm and a leg for parking. Copper is addressing the parking problem that they, and many other resorts face, by adding 40% more spaces, which are all FREE, in the Corn Lot(located on the left as you drive in). FREE parking will remain available at the Alpine lot (on the right) as well. For those that don’t mind paying for parking, Copper is also expanding parking access at Union Creek-near the beginner area.
For those of you that want to practice some of your tricks before the season starts, Woodward, the first indoor/outdoor camp, continues to offer foam pits, trampolines, and a skate park to practice tricks safely before attempting them on the mountain. One day sessions, punch cards, and year round access is available for Woodward.
If the terrain park isn’t really your thing, no worries, there are 2, 450 ski or ride-able acres of terrain that is naturally divided. What does naturally divided mean? Well, Copper features the tougher terrain, such as blacks and double blacks, on one side of the mountain and easy or green runs on the opposite side of the resort. Medium terrain, or blues, are featured in the middle of the mountain and peppered throughout the remainder of the mountain. This naturally divided terrain keeps beginners and advanced skiers on different runs and parts of the mountain, maximize your safety and enjoyment.
Overall, Copper is an excellent resort within a short drive of Denver (75 miles) making it an easy choice for Colorado natives and out of town guests.
For more information for the upcoming ski season, please visit CopperColorado.com
