Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Copper Mountain. This mountain is popular with locals because the resort's 2,490 acres are spread across Union Peak, Copper Peak, and Tucker Mountain where the terrain is naturally separated into areas for beginners, intermediates, and expert skiers and snowboarders, making it easy to pick your slope. On the front side of the mountain, as you move from east to west, trails decrease in difficulty. The back bowls and East Village are home to the best expert terrain, Center Village hosts intermediate terrain, and West Village is where you’ll find almost all of the beginner terrain. The Union Creek area contains gentle, tree-lined trails for novices. Several steep mogul runs are clustered on the eastern side and accessible via the Resolution and Alpine lifts. At the top of the resort and in the vast Copper Bowl there's challenging high-alpine terrain. Freeriders gravitate to the Woodward Terrain Parks, including a 22-foot superpipe. Weather permitting, on Friday and weekends, expert skiers can grab a free first come, first served snowcat ride up Tucker Mountain for an ungroomed, wilderness-style ski experience. Rental packages (skis or boards, boots, and poles) start at $40 per day. Purchase your rental equipment in advance over the phone or by booking online for discounts. Facilities: more than 142 trails; 2,490 acres; 2,738-foot vertical drop; 24 lifts. 209 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain, Colorado, 80443. 970/968–2882; 800/458–8386; www.coppercolorado.com. Lift ticket $150. Nov.–mid-Apr., weekdays 9–4; weekends and holidays 8:30–4.
Lessons and Programs
Copper Mountain Ski and Ride School. Copper Mountain's Ski and Ride School has classes for skiers and snowboarders, private lessons, men- and women-only groups, and special competitive lessons (to help you make a quantum leap in skills). Copper's Youth Seasonal Programs, divided into groups based on age and skill level, are designed to both teach and entertain. There's also Kids' Night Out, popular among parents who want an evening without the children. Copper Mountain, Colorado, 80443. 970/968–2318.
