Copper Mountain

Few skiers would list Copper as their favorite mountain. But almost every passionate skier I’ve met has skied Copper over the years. Most would say its just not that steep; doesn’t have enough challenging chutes; lacks long sustained challenging runs. But its got some of everything else, and on a great powder day, it’s a lot of fun. Maybe Copper’s like the girl or boy next door that you never dated but always wondered if you should have. Whether or not you choose to take Copper beyond the friend zone may be a tuff choice, skiing Copper is not. Spend a day and make up your own mind.

If you’re looking for a safe family place to ski, something we NEVER focus on in this blog, Copper is your spot. Copper may be the best and safest family skiing resort in North America. The mountain is literally separated into areas that are 100% green and 100% blue. Stick to the right chairs and sections, and you can’t find a marked run that doesn’t match your difficulty preference.

Copper Mountain Expert Skier Experience

Bowls Off Western Union Ridge

If your willing to hike West Ridge from Union Peak, you’ll find a bunch of drops and wide open bowls, even some with some challenging rock faces. They include Bradley’s Plunge, Schaefer’s, Iron Mask and Lallarookn. Not long, but not bad on good snow days. They face South, so check with Ski Patrol or locals to see how these runs are skiing.

Glades off Super Bee Chair

There’s good glade skiing off of this chair. Skiing under the chair for a couple hundred yards of skiers right you’ll find 17 Glade. About halfway down, slight skiers right are Black Bear and Free Fall Glade. These are good tree runs.

Cat Skiing on Tucker Mountain

If you’ve never done Cat skiing, Copper offers free Cat ride to Tucker Mountain. On Tucker, you’ll find a bit of everything, chutes, bowls, and glades. The Freemont Glades and Chutes are often preferred by locals. Two is the steepest.

Spaulding Bowl

At the top of Strom King Chair, you’ll find Spaulding Bowl. There’s a bunch of Chutes on Spaulding to raise your blood pressure including Patrol, Cornice, and Calendar. There are also some bowls across the Boardwalk: Park Place and Marvin Gardens.

Snow Hunting

You’ll find North facing slopes under Super Bee Chair. Check with Ski Patrol to see how West Ridge and Tucker Mountain is skiing.

Insider Tips at Copper Mountain

Historically, Copper has let people with beacons line up separately for the Cat to Tucker. If you have one, bring it. If you ever want to bone up on your skills and get n official certification, Copper often hosts the Professional Ski Instructors of America US-based Level 1 and 2 instructor certification programs. Click here to learn more.