Skis | Snowboards | Life

If Free Cat Skiing isn’t enough reason to go to Copper Mountain, then maybe the Woodward terrain park is. If that’s still not enough, maybe its span across three 12,000 footers is. When asked where to ski, I recommend Copper Mountain.

Copper Mountain has a ridiculously convenient location (within spitting distance of I-70); the place has its own exit for crying out loud, located between Frisco and Vail, Copper is a trademark Colorado pit stop. Hell, Jim Carrey made it his destination in his 1983, 60-minute film where his character Bobby Todd desperately tries to pick up ski bunnies. Alright, enough of that, here’s…

How to Ski Copper

Copper is a unique ski area due to its natural division of terrain difficulty level.

-Up Top and Skiers Right: most difficult/extreme terrain/high alpine adventure terrain (reference Copper Mountain trail map legend...) 

-Middle Earth: intermediate.

                                                                                                                                 -Skiers Left: easy rider. 

Your ability level literally defines your parking spot.

For the ones who like it steep and deep, East Village or the Triple Treat Lot is where you’ll want to set up shop for the day. East Village has all the amenities and the Super Bee six-pack. Triple Treat, not much more than a double chair…pick your battle. For those looking to warm up on a nice top to bottom blue, from the top of the Super Bee, take a ride down Andy’s Encore but don’t miss the cut over back to East Village called Skid Road, look out for logs on that one.

Lets talk about this cat skiing. A free cat runs out to Tucker Mountain along West Ridge on the weekends, mid week it’s the ‘ol earn your turns game. If you’re looking to put on your gnarly boots. Copper Bowl is the place to do it.

If you’re here for the groomers, West and Center Village’s are great spots to start. The trails are mellow and expansive. Maybe you want to hone in on your skills with the Copper Mountain Ski and Ride School. Copper’s ski school prides itself on being able to provide individualized attention within its lessons. Maybe you have been skiing or riding for years and just want to brush up on your technique, Copper offers the Quickie Class.

For the Apres scene, if its nice out, head to Jill’s Outdoor Umbrella Bar. I’m a huge fan of Bloody Marys, so, for obvious reasons I’d recommend Endo’s Adrenaline Café where every Sunday is build your own bloody day.