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Copper Mountain opens mega lift redevelopment for 2018-19

snow action team 02.10.2018

Copper Mountain is one of the easiest major ski resorts to visit in America, set right beside the I-70 freeway just 75 miles west from Denver. It will be one of the fastest to get skiing at too with a massively upgraded lift system for the 2018-2019 season.

US Grand Prix Super Pipe at Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain is a huge freestyle venue: Valentin Benoit going large at the US Grand Prix Super Pipe event © Copper Mountain

Copper’s venerable American Eagle and American Flyer express quad chairlifts are history. The American Eagle now becomes a combination lift mixing 8 person gondolas and 6 seat chairs. This ups the capacity 40% and provides a nice protected ride option. The American Flyer becomes a 6 pack bubble cover express, which is a very welcome boon for those super light Colorado powder days that can be chilly. It boosts capacity 33% for faster lapping and faster access to the lifts above.
The new lifts join the existing six seat express lift at East Village to give all three main mountain areas premium lift service. Another 4 express quads and other lifts keep queues minimal, especially midweek.

Cat skiing at Copper Mountain

Free cat skiing is a Copper Mountain bonus © Tripp Fay

The award winning trail layout at Copper Mountain neatly separates different levels into distinct green, blue and black zones served by their own lifts. That makes a safer and more satisfying experience for all levels, and is perfect for families too.

Family skiing at Copper Mountain

Neat terrain separation makes Copper ideal for families © Tripp Fey

The terrain separation can be seen on the images below, taken looking down from the top ridge above Breckenridge’s Peak 6 area. In the top foto is the black diamond terrain, and the Spaulding bowl above and beside that to viewer’s left, and behind the Copper Bowl and Tucker Mountain that offers free snowcat access from Friday to Sunday to its far left hand side – the lifts get you to most of the right hand side).
In the bottom foto are most of the intermediate and beginner runs, with plenty of options for both and great progression.

Copper Mountain expert side

Copper’s black diamond terrain © Owain Price

Copper Mountains right side

Copper’s intermediate and beginner terrain © Owain Price

Copper has been a major center for freestyle skiing and riding for many years. The year round Woodward Copper facility combines with a network of 6 terrain parks and two pipes – including a 22′ super pipe and beginner 13′ pipe – to provide the perfect venue if you, or your kids, love parks and progressing.
Woodward Copper celebrates 10 years operation this season, and offers snowboard, ski, skateboard, BMX, mountain bike, scooter and cheer programming for all ages and abilities.
Heart of Woodward is The Barn, a 19,400 square foot indoor playground complete with foam pit jumps, skate bowl, street course, pump track, mini ramps, spring floor, tumble track and multiple Olympic-grade trampolines.
Combined with the nationally-ranked terrain parks on Copper Mountain, Woodward Copper is dedicated to a program of progression that has proven success in athletes of all skill levels. If your kids are keen on progressing getting them involved here is a great idea to further their progress.

Copper Mountain terrain parks

Copper Mountain offers 6 parks and the fantastic Woodward Copper complex © Tripp Fay

Accommodation, dining and apres at Copper Mountain

The East, Centre and West Villages at Copper provide ski in/ski out or short walk to the lift options that are very affordable. A shuttle bus service connects the different areas, and the Summit Stage free bus runs to Frisco for more extensive shopping options, so there is no need for a car here – shuttle up from the Airport and relax.
East Village features apartment style condos, townhomes, and upscale private homes with easy access to advanced and intermediate terrain on the Super Bee sixpack lift. There are rustic dining and convenient retail options.
Center Village is a kaleidoscope of people watching and activities. Burning Stones Plaza is the main hub for action, entertainment, dining, and shopping. This is the place for you if you want to be in the buzz. Accommodations for any size group or budget are available, all within a short walk to the lifts.

Apres ski at Copper Mountain

Apres doesnt get better than mega Jenga! © Tripp Fey

West Village offers easy access to family-friendly beginner terrain and base facilities.
There are 26 dining options and bars across the three villages, and 22 shops and boutiques. Afternoons kick in nicely at Burning Stones Plaza at base of Centre Village opposite the American Eagle chairlift, and the new Downhill Dukes venue that opened this summer looks set to be the prime spot this winter. Mulligans Irish Pub kicks on later.

Apart from great skiing check out the Rocky Mountain Coaster Alpine Rush Zip Line, Ice Skating Rink, Tubing Hill, Critterland and free Snowshoe Tours

Getting to Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain is just 75 miles / 120 km all freeway drive west from Denver International Airport on I-70. Follow Pena Boulevard to I-70 West then cruise direct to exit 195 for Copper Mountain just off the freeway.
Copper is only 30 minutes east of Vail, and flying into Eagle County Airport is another good option.
You can easily book airport shuttles to/from either airport from the link on Copper’s website here.
Staying in Summit County you can hop on the free Summit Stage bus to take you to Copper. With routes all throughout Frisco, Breckenridge, Silverthorne and Dillon, you can easily get to Copper for free – check schedules www.co.summit.co.us/915/Bus-Schedule

Ski Colorado more info

Check these for more
www.colorado.com/28resorts
Colorado.ski.com

More Ski Colorado features here:
Aspen
Arapahoe Basin
Beaver Creek
Breckenridge
Crested Butte
Loveland
Snowmass
Steamboat
Telluride
Winter Park
Wolf Creek
Vail

Copper Mountain Trail Maps

Copper Mountain trail map

Copper Mountain trail map

Copper Mountain Bowl trail map

Copper Bowl and Tucker Mountain cat ski terrain

Copper Mountain Resolution and Spaulding Bowls trail map

Copper Mountain Resolution and Spaulding Bowls trail map