Copper Mountain Ski Area
The mountain’s wooded slopes are neatly “zoned” with all the beginner trails located on the west side of the mountain (right on the piste map), all the intermediate trails in the center, and the advanced and expert skiing on the East side and up and over to the backside bowls. This creates many positive scenarios.Beginner skiers have their own area and don’t have to worry about taking a wrong turn onto a difficult trail, while the expert skier doesn’t need to worry about a beginner traversing across an advanced trail. In short, you have your level and you go to the part of the mountain groomed for your ability.
The trails are graded green for beginner, blue for intermediate, black-diamond for advanced, double black diamond for expert and break down to 21 percent beginner, 25 percent intermediate, 36 percent advanced, and 18 percent expert ski trails. The longest trail is 2.8 miles (4.5 km). The highest lift- serviced point is 12,313 feet (3,753 m), but you can hike up to 12,337 feet (3,760 m), and the maximum vertical descent is 2,625 feet (800 m).
Copper has over 380 acres (153 ha) of snow- making capacity, and at a base elevation of 9,712 feet (2,960 m) the quality is superb. So, while Copper has a season spanning from early November to late April, the higher elevation and impressive snowmaking capabilities ensure quality snow from start to finish. For skiing lasting into the summer, neighboring Arapahoe Basin has received extended snowmaking privileges, and is considering year-round skiing.
With 2,433 acres (984 ha) to play around in, Copper is a family oriented resort that’s growing to accommodate even the most diehard skier and party-goer. Therefore, given the mix of skiers on the hill, safety is taken seriously. Copper has “slow skiing zones” for areas of high traffic, and “family skiing zones” dedicated to wide open cruising. “Speed Control” volunteers are in place on heavily skied trails, and Copper Ski Patrol does an exceptional job of marking natural hazards on the mountain.