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A Ski & Snowboard Guide to Copper Mountain

Breckenridge Ski & Sport > Winter Gear Rentals > A Ski & Snowboard Guide to Copper Mountain

Everything you need to know about skiing at Copper Mountain

Located in Summit County, Copper Mountain Resort is one of Colorado’s best ski and snowboarding destinations. It offers opportunities for beginner through advanced skiers and riders to shred a wide range of terrain, including open bowls, steep runs, treelined runs, a world-class terrain park, and even cross-country skiing trails. Copper’s expansive trails and offerings allow everyone to have a fun day out on the slopes. 

Less than 30 minutes away from Breckenridge, Copper Mountain is among our favorite nearby slopes. Learn more about one of our favorite neighbors.

 
Copper Mountain Fast Facts
  • Lifts are open 9 AM – 4 PM
  • 2,538 acres of terrain
  • Peak elevation of 12,441 feet
  • 24 lifts
  • 157 trails
  • Average snowfall of 305 in. per year
  • Other activities: cross country skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, shopping, and more

 Get info on Copper’s

Climate  •  Runs  •  Terrain  •  Lodging
Copper Mountain Ski Area

Overview of Copper Mountain Ski Resort

Copper Mountain ski resort is a short half hour drive from downtown Breckenridge and about 75 miles and under a 90 minute drive from Denver. Copper is unique in that the mountain naturally segments terrain, meaning skiers and riders can explore separate sections focused on beginner, intermediate, and expert terrain.

With five different lifts, Copper Mountain officially opened to the public in 1972. Over the years, the resort underwent significant expansion and development, including the addition of new ski terrain, lodging, and recreational facilities.

Copper was the site of the for the 1976 Alpine World Championships, representing its pivotal role in athlete development. In 2009, the Woodward Copper Training Facility was established at Copper Mountain. Woodward Copper has gained popularity as a premier training center for athletes in various action sports, including snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, and BMX.

Copper Mountain Colorado

Know Before You Go

Climate

The ski and snowboard season at Copper Mountain typically runs November to April. The temperature can range from cold to comfortably cool and warm days on the mountain, so it’s important to dress in layers for your days out on the mountain. Average winter temperatures at the base area can vary from 15°F to 35°F, yet at higher elevations, such as the summit, it can prove even colder. Check the Copper Mountain weather before you go.

The resort receives a significant amount of snowfall, with an average annual snowfall of approximately 222 inches and 67 days of snowfall. March tends to receive the most snow, with December and January tied for second. This makes for excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions throughout the winter.

Stay up to date on Copper Mountain ski resort conditions.

Lift Times

  • Most lifts at Copper Mountain Resort run from 9 AM to 4 PM (Alpine, Super Bee, Pitchfork, Gem, Easy Rider, Rugrat, Slingshot, The Glide, American Eagle, American Flyer, Woodward Express, Kokomo Express). 
  • Several close at 3 PM (Storm King, Resolution, Blackjack and Mountain Chief) or 3:30 PM (Timberline Express, Excelerator, Sierra, Lumberjack and Rendezvous), with the Three Bears lift closing at 2:30 PM.

Be sure to check lift times and lift status. There will often be fewer lifts open early in the season.

Lift Tickets

Copper Mountain offers several options for lift tickets.

  • Ikon Pass holders have unlimited access to Copper Mountain
  • Copper Mountain Lift tickets can be purchased for single day use or for multiple days within a set period. For those visiting for an extended period, multi-day passes will usually be cheaper than single day tickets.
  • Copper Mountain Resort also offers a discounted military lift ticket, as well as priority access tickets. Check out all options here. 
  • Copper Mountain hosts Play Forever Thursdays in a unique way to support the community and environment. On Thursdays between Jan. 11 and April 11, Copper sells $99 day lift tickets to benefit specific partner organizations. 

A Fast Tracks upgrade provides access to express lifts and a riding window of 30 minutes earlier than regular tickets.

Ski & Snowboard Rentals

Breckenridge Ski & Sport is only a short 25 minute drive from Copper Mountain Resort and offers ski and snowboard rentals for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers and riders. All ski and snowboard packages come with boots, skis/snowboard, bindings, poles, and a helmet. 

Our fleet of skis include Sport and Performance skis from HEAD, recommended for beginner and intermediate riders. For more advanced skiers, we offer our demo fleet comprised of several Salomon, Rossignol, and HEAD models. For snowboards, we offer Performance HEAD Snowboards for beginner and intermediate riders and demo boards from Salomon and Ride for advanced snowboarders.

Getting to Copper Mountain

To get to Copper Mountain from Denver, Head west on I-70 West. Continue on I-70 West for approximately 75 miles.m Take Exit 195 for CO-91 S toward Copper Mountain/Leadville. Merge onto CO-91 South. Follow CO-91 South for about 7 miles, and it will lead you directly to Copper Mountain.

From Breckenridge, head south on CO-9 South from Breckenridge for approximately 13 miles until you arrive at Copper Mountain. This is the main road that connects Breckenridge to Copper Mountain.

If you are flying into Denver International Airport (DIA), traveling to Copper Mountain ski resort is often easiest with an airport shuttle. We recommend Peak 1 Express, a local and trusted airport shuttle service with direct transportation between DIA and Copper Mountain. Riders can travel directly to their Copper Mountain lodging or opt for a discounted shuttle service to the Copper Lodging Check-In.

On-Site Transportation & Parking

Copper Mountain Resort offers free parking in the Alpine and Far East Lots during the winter months. The resort also hosts paid parking in five other lots, with prices varying depending on the lot and day. For those hoping to make a parking reservation, the Chapel Lot can be booked prior to your trip. Overnight parking costs $20 and is available in the Alpine lot between 10 PM and 5 AM. Read more and view the parking map here

Once at Copper Mountain Resort, visitors can ride free with the Copper’s resort shuttle between the hours of 7 AM – 10 PM. This service offers several routes that circulate through the different villages and areas. Guests with accommodations at the resort can also utilize the Copper Coach request-a-ride service.

Ski & Snowboard Runs

Beginner “Green” Runs

24% of Copper Mountain Resort trails are beginner trails Concentrated in Copper’s West Village. Beginner runs can be accessed from the Kokomo Express, Lumberjack, or Timberline Express lifts. Kokomo Express and Lumberjack lead to several green runs, with Timberline Express taking you over blues and to the Soliloquy trail. The American Flyer lift also travels from Copper’s Center Village to green run options, with Green Acres representing a smaller area near Center Village well-suited for beginners looking to practice their skills.

Beginner Runs

  • Roundabout — From the Kokomo Express lift, beginners can cruise down Roundabout.This run can also serve as the bottom connector from Soliloquy off the Timberline Express lift. It offers a wide and gently sloping trail, making it an ideal place for those who are new to skiing or snowboarding. Roundabout is a great area to build your confidence and develop your skills and is easily accessible from the West Village base area, making it convenient for first-timers. 
  • Fairway and Prospector are also shorter fun greens that connect to Roundabout and send you straight back into the West Village. 
  • West Ten Mile — From the Lumberjack lift, West Ten Mile is a green run that offers a more extended trail for beginners to enjoy. It’s known for its mellow and well-groomed terrain, providing ample space to practice and build confidence. This run is particularly suitable for skiers and snowboarders looking for a more extended green run experience, as it can connect to Roundabout and deposit you back at the base.
  • Soliloquy — From Timberline Express, try out Soliloquy, the longest straight shot green run and another green run that’s perfect for beginners. It provides a gentle and forgiving slope for those who are still getting the hang of skiing or snowboarding.

Intermediate “Blue” Runs

Copper Mountain ski resort offers intermediate or blue runs on 26% of its trail system. More beginner friendly blues are concentrated on the Timberline Express lift, offering wider cruiser options. The America Eagle lift and Super Bee lifts also offer access to blue trails, with more challenge for skiers and riders looking to up their game.

Intermediate Runs

  • American Flyer — This name refers to a run in addition to a lift, with the American Flyer run featuring a wide slope with a moderate pitch, making it suitable for those who have developed their skiing or snowboarding skills beyond the beginner stage. It’s a great choice for those looking for a comfortable and enjoyable descent without overly challenging terrain.
  • Andy’s Encore — In the east village and accessed from the Super Bee lift, Andy’s Encore offers a mix of intermediate and advanced terrain. It’s known for its groomed and ungroomed sections, providing a variety of experiences for those looking to progress their skills. It’s a great choice for skiers and riders who are seeking a bit more challenge.
  • Bittersweet & Bouncer — From the Center Village’s American Eagle lift, intermediate skiers can access the Bouncer and Bittersweet trails, both long groomed runs. Bittersweet provides a mix of gentle pitches and turns, making it suitable for intermediate skiers and snowboarders who want a moderately challenging experience. The run is wide and accommodating, offering a smooth descent for those who want to refine their skills. 
  • Bouncer run offers a more challenging experience compared to some of the gentler intermediate runs. It features a variety of terrain conditions, including moguls and steeper pitches, providing an exciting option for those looking to progress in their skiing or snowboarding abilities.

Expert “Black Diamond” Runs

More difficult trails make up the majority of Copper’s terrain, with 32% marked as advanced, 10% expert, and 8% extreme. From the Super Bee or American Eagle lifts, you can access most of Copper Mountain’s terrain. Take these to the Excelerator, Resolution, or ultimately Three Bears lift for the most advanced trails and bowls.

Advanced & Expert Runs

  • Spaulding Bowl — From the top of Storm King lift, Spaulding Bowl is known for its advanced and expert terrain, featuring a mix of steep chutes, open bowls, and off-piste skiing opportunities. It offers thrilling, challenging conditions for advanced skiers and snowboarders looking to take on expert-level terrain. Take the Three Bears lift up and ski down some of the most advanced terrain at the resort. 
  • Three Bears — The Three Bears area is located on the backside of Copper Mountain, providing access to advanced and expert skiing. It’s accessible from the top of Tucker Mountain and theThree Bears Lift.Three Bears is renowned for its steep and ungroomed terrain. Three Bears features a mix of advanced and expert-level terrain, with steep chutes, moguls, glades, and ungroomed powder runs. The diversity of conditions allows riders to push their skills and experience different challenges. Runs included here are Boulderado, Ram’s Run, and Western Slope.
  • Resolution Bowl & Highline — Resolution Bowl is situated on the backside of Copper Mountain, accessible from the Resolution lift. This area is known for its challenging terrain and variety of skiing conditions. Resolution Bowl offers a diverse range of terrain, featuring steep chutes, open bowls, and ungroomed powder runs. Highline is a popular run within Resolution Bowl. It offers a challenging experience, with steep and ungroomed terrain. The run is known for exciting conditions and the thrill it provides to expert skiers and riders. Highline features a mix of moguls, powder, and steep pitches.

 Terrain Park

Not only does Copper Mountain Resort also host the Woodward Training Facility to develop world-class skiers and riders, but Copper Mountain is also home to the Woodward Mountain Park, an innovative terrain park to offer a variety of features and setups for skiers and snowboarders to enhance their skills and enjoy freestyle riding. Woodward Copper is renowned for its indoor training facility, the Woodward Barn. While not part of the outdoor terrain park, the Woodward Barn offers a controlled environment with foam pits, trampolines, and ramps for practicing and learning new tricks before taking them to the snow. Interested visitors have the opportunity to buy a season pass to The Barn to take advantage of this unique facility.

  Lesson Opportunities

For beginners and those looking to enhance their skills, Copper Mountain offers private and group lessons for kids, adults, and entire families. Clinics and seasonal programs allow participants to adults and expand on the basics, and Copper even offers terrain specific lessons. The terrain park caters to riders of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, offering a diverse range of features, including jumps, rails, boxes, jibs, and other freestyle elements.

Copper Mountain Lodging & Vacation Rentals

Copper Mountain Resort offers a variety of lodging options, ranging from convenient ski-in/ski-out properties to cozy mountain condos. Here’s an overview of the various lodging options available at Copper Mountain.

 

Slope-side Condos & Townhomes

Copper Mountain offers a wide range of condominiums and townhomes located right at the base of the slopes. These units vary in size, from cozy one-bedroom condos to spacious townhomes that can accommodate larger groups. Staying in these properties provides easy access to the mountain and its amenities.

 

Hotel Accommodations

There are several hotels at Copper Mountain, including the Copper Mountain Inn and the Lodge at Copper. These hotels offer comfortable rooms and are convenient for skiers and snowboarders looking to stay close to the slopes and village. Many of these hotels also include on-site dining and services.

 

Private Vacation Rentals

Visitors have the option to rent private homes and vacation properties in and around Copper Mountain. These can vary widely in terms of size and amenities, making them suitable for families, groups, or couples seeking a more personalized lodging experience.

 

Ski-in/Ski-out Accommodations

Some lodging options at Copper Mountain are classified as ski-in/ski-out properties. These accommodations are situated right on the mountain, providing the ultimate convenience for those who want to hit the slopes as soon as they step out of their door.

Lodging In Copper Mountain Colorado

Copper Mountain Shopping & Dining

Breckenridge Ski Rental

Retail Shops

Breckenridge Ski & Sport

Breckenridge Ski & Sport is Summit County’s favorite ski & board rental shop. Breckenridge Ski & Sport offers ski rentals and snowboard rentals for the entire family, with all winter packages including poles and a helmet. Book your rentals online to take 30% off and so you can quickly pick up your gear on the way to Copper Mountain.

The Fix Tune Shop and Gear Check

The Fix Tune Shop and Gear Check is an essential service at Copper Mountain Resort, specializing in equipment maintenance and repair. Skiers and snowboarders can rely on The Fix for various services, including ski and snowboard tuning, waxing, base grinding, edge sharpening, and more. The Fix provides a gear check service, allowing visitors to securely store their gear, so they don’t have to carry it around when not on the mountain.

Camp Hale Outfitters

In the Center Village, Camp Hale Outfitters is the largest retailer at Copper Mountain resort. They specialize in skis, snowboards, boots, and other outdoor apparel, as well as offer equipment rentals.

McCoys Mountain Market

This market is a convenient place for visitors to purchase groceries, snacks, and other essential items during their stay at the resort. It offers a wide range of products, including fresh produce, meats, dairy, pantry staples, beverages, and a selection of prepared foods.

City Pop Gourmet Popcorn And Candy

This snack shop located in Copper Mountain Resort’s Center Village specializes in gourmet popcorn flavors, candies, chocolates, and bulk candy.They also offer ice skate rentals in the winter.

Dining Options

Copper Mountain Village Restaurants and Apres-Ski Spots.

Eagle BBQ

Eagle BBQ in the Center Village offers a large barbecue menu, with options including sandwiches, platters, or even to order meat by the pound.

Jack’s Slopeside Grill

Jack’s is situated at the base of the American Eagle lift and offers a range of dining options from breakfast to dinner, including pizzas, burgers, and hearty mountain fare.

Downhill Duke’s

Downhill Duke’s is a relaxed Apres and lunch restaurant with an outdoor patio and plenty of room for your furry friend. Located between the American Flyer and American Eagle, this restaurant offers fire pits for visitors to warm up.

Sawmill Pizza and Taphouse

Sawmill serves a range of pizza options, including classic favorites and creative specialty pies. The low-key restaurant also offers a wide selection of craft beers to pair with your pizza.

El Zacatecano

This Mexican restaurant offers a variety of Mexican cuisine, including tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes in the Center Village. It provides a casual and convenient dining option for visitors looking to enjoy Mexican flavors while at the resort.

Dining around a fire in Copper Mountain Colorado