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• Resort Guide

Resort Height: 2926m

One of the world’s highest ski resorts, Copper Mountain is located in the Summit County area of Colorado. It is a relatively young resort established in the 1970s and is of medium size. Its high altitude allows it to operate one of the longest snowsure seasons, usually opening in the first half of November.

Copper Mountain has a convenient, largely pedestrianised centre next to lifts and slopes. It is one of the earlier purchases of about 10 resorts in North America now owned by Intrawest, the company behind the rise to world fame of 2010 Winter Olympic venue, Whistler in Canada. The company bought the resort more than a decade ago and has been developing one of its trademark pedestrianised villages at its base ever since. A lift pass covering other Intrawest resorts in Colorado – Steamboat and Winter Park (but not transport between them) is available.

Beginners

Copper Mountain has extensive nursery slopes at resort level on snowsure slopes served by four modern conveyor lifts for easy riding up the gentle slopes to make your first runs down. The Ski and Ride School employs more than 250 instructors and operates specially designed beginner classes perfected over more than three decades.

Intermediates

Although not one of the biggest ski areas in North America, nor with the biggest vertical, Copper offers numerous fast, smooth cruising trails which will keep most intermediate ability skiers happy for at least a week. Runs are up to five kilometres (three miles) long. It’s worth signing up for a guided tour of Copper Mountain's intermediate terrain. Instructors will show you their favourite places to play and help you get to know the mountain even better. Tours meet up at Solitude, found at the top of the American Eagle Lift, and are available seven days a week. Copper also offers you the opportunity to purchase a VIP ‘Beeline Advantage’ ticket which entitles you to queue jump in a special lane at some lifts for an additional cost on the regular ticket price.

Advanced

A little over half of the resort’s terrain is rated as advanced or expert. The most feared run is Patrol Chute. Mountain orientation tours at advanced skier level are available.

Copper Mountain offers a unique free snowcat service to Tucker Mountain which has big-mountain back country that’s still within the ski area boundary. During the winter season, snowcats run between 10am and 1.30pm daily; Tucker Mountain closes at 2pm. Ski patrols fly green flags at all duty stations when the Tucker snow cat is in operation (opening depends on conditions) and then it’s first-come, first served.

Snowboarding

Copper Mountain works hard on its terrain park features and endeavours to open the first superpipe in the US (and possibly the world) each winter, using its altitude and snowmaking capabilities to accumulate enough snow to build a monster pipe, usually by mid-late November, for the winter. The 140m (450 ft) Main Vein Superpipe is located just above Burning Stones Plaza.

The Main Vein Superpipe is an integral part of Copper’s landscape, which also includes a rare second superpipe, Catalyst, as well as the Catalyst Terrain Park, Eagle Jib Park and Playground Terrain Park. Superpipe demos featuring members of Copper’s Freeride Team are staged every Saturday.

Other Activities and Facilities

Copper has a growing list of activities which include tubing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and snow kiting (being towed around a course on your skis or board by a kite).

The Copper Mountain Athletic Club has a swimming pool, spas, steam rooms, saunas, weight room, cardiovascular centre, massage, facials and racquetball. Ice skating is also available at West Lake and guests can pick up ice skate rentals and sign up for curling and broomball games at Chubs.

The Mike Newton Gallery on West Lake features fine art by local and regional artists. The Gallery is also a working studio where guests can drop in and speak to guest artists. There’s a growing choice of shops, including Sharp Shooter Photography and Kokomo, both located on the West Lake boardwalk, the latter featuring distinctive Colorado gifts including ornaments, pottery, woodcrafts and candles, as well as unique all-natural soaps-by-the-slice crafted by a local artisans.

Après Ski and Dining Out

The choice of dining options and night spots at Copper Mountain continues to evolve as the resort’s redevelopment continues, and there are now more than 20 different establishments to choose from. Popular venues include casual fine dining at the C.B. Grille, and Chubs, located near McGillycuddy's Irish Pub on West Lake, which serves crepes, hot drinks, ice cream and Panini sandwiches. Copper Red Hots specializes in creating the perfect hot dog, bratwurst or specialty sausage for hungry snow riders, and is perfectly situated near the base of the American Eagle Chairlift. With 20 toppings to flavour each hot dog, guests can satisfy every taste. Pizza Carlo, located in Burning Stones Plaza at the base of the American Eagle Chairlift serves delicious pizza, calzones, subs and salads in a playful and laid back atmosphere. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has long been the place to find hot chocolate, the best caramel apples on the planet and homemade fudge.

Families

The Belly Button Bakery & Babies is an on-site childcare facility in the resort centre. It offers high quality care and activities for children aged eight weeks to six years. Open seven days per week between 8:30am and 4:30pm for full-day childcare and morning only for half day. The ’bakery’ aspect refers to an award winning programme that encourages the toddlers to bake cookies, under supervision! An evening “kids night out” session is organised on several evenings each week for children aged six weeks to 12 years old when the parent has made a qualifying spend in the resort during the day. Special ski school programmes are available from age three.

Ski/Board Suitability Guide

Suitable for families:	[Yes]
Suitable for beginners:	[4]
Suitable for intermediate skiers:	[4]
Suitable for advanced skiers:	[5]
Suitable for boarders skiers:	[4]

Piste Map for Copper mountain

Accommodation in Copper mountain

• Copper Sp.lodge - 4 star, room only
• Copper Springs Lodge - 4 star, room only
• Telemark Condos - 3 star, room only
• Telemark Condos - 3 star, room only
• Village at Copper - 4 star, room only
• Village at Copper - 4 star, room only

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