Copper Mountain Ski Resort

Copper Mountain is what the locals call “a nearly perfect mountain”, one of Colorado’s best ski areas. In 1971, Chuck Lewis, Copper’s founder, negotiated a deal to purchase 280 acres at the base of the mountain for the ski area. That summer, the initial construction began on the ski trails. Over the years, new lifts were added and Copper grew to its current size of 2,433 acres. Then, in 1997, the resort was purchased by Intrawest – a worldwide leader in resort operations and development. Colorado natives appreciate Copper Mountain and the short lift lines, the relaxed atmosphere and the beautiful and spacious terrain. The US Forest Service says, “The mountain has good snow and sparse tree cover created by old burns, which offers a tremendous opportunity to create natural type runs that blend in with the surrounding countryside.”

More Resort Facts

Nearest Town: Frisco, Colorado
Base Elevation: 9,712 feet (2,960 m)	Top Elevation: 12,313 feet (3,753 m)
Latitude: 39.501667	Longitude: -106.156389

Total Runs: 125
21% Beginner	25% Intermediate	36% Advanced	18% Expert

Terrain Parks: 1

“Copper’s main terrain park Catalyst, located on the Loverly trail accessed by the American Flyer lift, has everything a rider wants: With the natural progression of large to giant tabletops, hip features, and an 18-foot Quarter pipe offer potential for as much air as riders can handle. Halfway through the park, a rail section boasts a variety of flat, kinked and rainbow rails and boxes Scattered throughout the park are a number of additional features of varying sizes and degrees of difficulty, all designed for optimum flow.”

Total Lifts: 22

5 high-speed chairs, 10 chairs, 6 surface, 1 tubing

Total lift capacity: 32,324 people per hour

Average Snowfall: 280 inches/year	Snowmaking: 380 acres

In the mid 1800s, miners discovered Summit County. The boom started in 1879 with the discovery of silver at Leadville. This was 20 years after the gold rush of 1859. Over 82 million dollars worth of silver was mined during the period. The silver boom was due in large part to huge purchases of silver by the US Congress in 1878. The boom continued through the 1880s, and resulted in an intense increase in both the population and wealth of Colorado, especially in the mountains. But, in 1893 silver prices collapsed after the repeal of Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Many mining villages had already been established throughout central Colorado and copper was discovered in the area that is now known as Copper Mountain Ski Resort. Before it was known as Copper Mountain, it was Wheeler. In 1880, Judge John S. Wheeler established a settlement at the junction between the Ten Mile and Gore mountain ranges, and promoted the area as a trout fishing and horseback riding retreat. He used an old stock trail to create a hiking path which transcends the Ten Mile Range over the Alpine tundra to South Park. But when silver was discovered nearby, Wheeler changed from a quiet summer retreat to a bustling town with many cabins and miners coming to find silver.

“Wheeler pioneered a much-needed sawmill for Wheeler Flats in 1878 to supply timber to newly-bustling Ten Mile mine camps and to furnish ties for a coming railroad. More and more buildings rose up at Wheeler Junction. Half a dozen sawmills, saloons, a billiard hall, blacksmith shop, wagon shop and a notary office appeared. A post office was granted in April, 1880. Lodgings, including a hotel with real china dishes instead of tin plates, and Judge Wheeler’s general store served a peak population of 225 lively local residents and more in outlying camps. The Summit County Journal described Wheeler as ‘. . the wildest spot in the county.’ ” Nearly one hundred years later, the ski area of Copper Mountain was born.

The mining operations are long gone from Copper Mountain, but in the summer months, you can still enjoy those quiet fishing and riding activities and more. There are nearby ghost towns to explore and trails to hike and bike. The area is wonderful in any season, and in wintertime – Summit County offers the longest ski season in the Western U.S. This winter season, Copper is open from November 6, 2009 through April 18, 2010, and visitors can look forward to an average of 300 days of sunshine during the year and an average of 280″ of snowfall during our ski season. Come see what locals have known since the turn of the last century about Copper Mountain. It’s a beautiful place to get to know.

Copper Mountain Weather Forecast

Snow Report

Thursday February 9, 2012: Open / Past 48 Hours: 4in. / Primary: Powder / Base Depth: 50in.

Resort Photos and Videos

Lift Ticket Information

Open – November 25th, 2010
Number of Days	Adults (Ages 13-69)	Child (Ages 6-12) & Seniors (Ages 70+)
1 Day	$69	$47
2 Days	$138	$94
3 Days	$207	$141

November 25th, 2010 – Close
Number of Days	Adults (Ages 13-69)	Child (Ages 6-12) & Seniors (Ages 70+)
1 Day	$74	$47
2 Days	$148	$94
3 Days	$222	$141

Resort Activities

Free Mountain orientation Tours – Copper’s Ambassadors offer free mountain orientation tours daily from mid-December through the beginning of April, snow conditions and terrain opening permitting. This is a great way to see the mountain from west to east, learn how to get around and find the local’s favorite places.”
Ice Skating at West Lake- “West Lake is open for ice skating from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Rental skates are available at Chub’s located on West Lake.
Snowshoeing- “Enjoy the hospitality of our Resort Ambassadors as they help you discover the beauty of snow-covered meadows, pine & spruce forest and a prisitine mountain setting on one of our free, daily snowshoe tours.”
Snowmobiling- “Explore Copper’s snow filled valleys on a 150-horse open sleigh. An experienced backcountry guide will take you to secret stashes of powder and show you spectacular views, so bring your camera. This is one adventure you’ll want to remember always. Stop into the Adventure desk at the Mountain Adventure Center or call 866.416.9872 for snowmobiling reservations.”
Alpine Snowmobiles & Dogsledding- “Are you looking for a breathtaking outdoor adventure? Do you love dogs and want to try something new? Dog sledding is fast becoming one of the most popular outdoor winter sports! Whether you take an exciting dogsled ride, attend a mushing class, or tour the mountain trails above 10,000 feet on one of our Polaris snowmobiles, you will leave with memories that will last a lifetime! Stop by the Adventure desk in the Mountain Adventure Center or call 4-info for more information or to book your reservation.”
Triple Treat Sleigh Ride- “After enjoying a 30 min sleigh ride through the Valley of the Ten Mile range. The guests will be able to get off the sleighs, take pictures, and pet the horses. Then they will warm up in our tent where they will enjoy hot cocoa, roast marshmallows and make s’mores while listening to live music played around the woodstove. $45 adult $40 child”
Scenic Sleigh Rides: Departs 5:30- “The guests will enjoy a 30 min sleigh ride through the beautiful valley of the Ten mile range. $30 adult $25 child Stop into the Adventure desk at the Mountain Adventure Center or call 866.416.9872 for reservations.”
Dessert Ride:Departs 6:15- “The guests will enjoy a beautiful moonlit evening sleigh ride to our warming tent where they will be treated with a wide selection of tantalizing desserts and Hot Chocolate. Guests will also be entertained by live music played around the fireplace. After their sweet tooth is quenched, our teams of beautiful draft horses will carry them back to the Beeler barn where the journey began. $55 adult $50 child. All rides meet at the Beeler Barn across from the Transportation Center at Copper Mountain. You will need to check in at least 20 min ahead of time. We depart on schedule and cannot hold up a sleigh if you are late. Plan on allowing extra travel time in bad weather or on heavy traffic days.”
Colorado Kite Force- “The newest and fastest growing sport and with good reason, it’s exciting and easy to learn. If you already have a board or skis you’re half way there! A short lesson is all you need to begin cruising the snow packed Lake Dillon and enjoying the beautiful vistas that surround you. Stop into the Adventure desk at the Mountain Adventure Center or call 866.416.9872 for reservations.”
S’mores by the Fire Pit- “Daily roast s’mores on the open fire! S’more kits available at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. $5.95 per kit – makes 4 s’mores. Dates- December 16- April 3″
Copper Cade- “Copper’s very own video arcade. The games in Coppercade include: Mega Pick Machine,Two Jurassic Park pinball machines, Star Trek Pinball, Street Fighter II Pinball, Mrs. Pacman , Moon Patrol, Deer Hunting USA, Maximum Force , Cruis’N World, Surf Planet, Golden T 3D, Gauntlet Dark Legacy, Sega Water Skiing, Road Riot 4 Wheel Drive. There is also a Photo Booth, Jukebox, Carousel Horse Ride, and Train Ride.”

Trail Maps, Village Maps and Travel Maps

opens as a pdf file (2.5mb)