Copper Mountain

Closed
Susan Brown
SnowPak Local Insider
Susan Brown
Pros
  • Copper Mountain is one of Colorado’s best family friendly resorts with plenty of kids activities
  • An affordable option compared to other Colorado ski resorts
  • Fantastic variety of terrain to suit all ability levels
Cons
  • Not much of a town compared to other Colorado resorts like Breckenridge and Keystone

Overall

4.7

What makes Copper Mountain unique is its natural mountain topography which naturally divides ski areas based on ability. Advanced trails are in the east, beginners in the west and intermediates in between! Beginners don’t need to worry about taking a wrong turn and end up in over their heads, while advanced skiers can go all out without avoiding novices. For the experts, Copper Mountain has some killer off-piste terrain, including bowls and hike-to terrain with CAT access. The resort also has its fair share of terrain parks with everything from a beginner level small sculpted terrain park, to a super pipe for the park rats, to a year-round indoor facility with free-skiing and foam pits.

Best month to go

January to early April

Avoid

December

The best times to go are anywhere from January through early April. While December can be good for snow, the resort can be a little slow to open all of its terrain. During the early part of the season around November, the resort is home to race camps, which can make for a slightly crowded environment. Historically, March tends to be the snowiest month of the year at Copper Mountain, so your odds of catching a powder day are good. On the other hand, it also tends to be one of the resort’s busiest times for lodging, second only to Christmas. If you do brave the crowds to come at Christmas time, though, be sure to enjoy the lights and decorations in the village. The last couple weeks of April can be fun for that spring skiing experience, but be aware that Copper Mountain will start closing parts of the terrain early in the month. The back bowls are usually the first to close due to their southern-facing exposures, which makes them the first to start melting.

FLY TO

Denver International Airport

DRIVE/SHUTTLE TO

Copper Mountain (3-4 hours)

Base of Copper Mountain (Walk)

  • Made up of three compact villages: East, Center and West Village
  • All lodging options are close to lifts, some true ski-in/ski-out
  • Easy to walk between all three villages

Find accommodations around here

Dillon/Silverthorne (10-15 mi)

  • Both towns take around 20 mins to drive to Copper Mountain
  • Inexpensive lodging location
  • Limited nightlife suitable for those who want a quiet lodge

Find accommodations around here

For beginners

Copper Mountain naturally divides the terrain. The west side is perfect for beginners with tons of easy terrain that sits away from the more experienced crowds.

More beginners tips

For intermediates

Intermediates can ski all over the resort but will probably want to hang around the center of Copper Mountain where most of the blues are found. Those looking to take it to the next level can get a taste of the back bowls with Otto Bahn, a solid blue.

More intermediates tips

For experts

The east side is where it's at for advanced and experts. For our favorite run, start off under the Sierra lift and dive into the trees at the bottom of Kaboom, where you'll find the snow stays fresh all thanks to Copper Mountain facing north.

More experts tips

Find freshies

Freshies get tracked out quick at Copper, so take the snowcat and hike up to Tucker Mountain for the best fresh stuff.

Ditch the crowds

The base area lifts can get quite busy and crowded. Instead, opt for lifts like Super Bee, Resolution and Alpine. They sit on the edge of the resort and give access to advanced terrain and long mogul runs.

Non skiers

Non-skiers will have a range of activities to choose from in Copper Mountain, including snowmobiling, tubing and ice-skating. The Athletic Club also offers a gym, hot tub, saunas and steam rooms.

Families

Copper is one of our favorite family-friendly resorts in Colorado! It's got a laid-back kid-friendly atmosphere and has all the activities and facilities to match it such as the Woodward Copper Barn.

Save up to 36% when you book a Copper Mountain package!

View Copper Mountain packages

Copper Mountain Reviews

Fabulous 4.4 / 5
based on 121 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Very Good!4.2 / 5May 03, 2019
Copper Mountain ReviewsKyle A.
intermediate snowboarder
Super fun! Nicest people! The snow is always way manicured! Easy shuttle service from parking lot to main entrance! The back country supposedly has a lot of variety for trying out your powder skills!!!... More
Superb!5 / 5Apr 29, 2019
Copper Mountain ReviewsJaime M.
advanced skier
Amazing resort full of fun and exciting trails for the whole family. Atmosphere there is super upbeat and the service from every employee was impecable. Restaurants offer some great grub and the prices are some of the best in Colorado. This is a must ski mountain of you are in Colorado or have a ski pass and like to come out every weekend.... More
Superb!5 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Copper Mountain ReviewsKj E.
expert snowboarder
Absolutely the best mountain in Colorado, good old school feel with a great young twist, naturally divided terrain. For beginners to advanced. Back bowls are easy to get to for anyone... More
Average!3.2 / 5Nov 20, 2018
Copper Mountain ReviewsJimmy C.
advanced skier
Cooper mountain is cool, only skied there once, and it was cool! Their parks are huge and spread out, with so many options to loose yourself in. Wide open terrain gives the rider ultimate freedom in choosing the line!... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 20, 2018
Copper Mountain ReviewsFernando L.
advanced snowboarder
Love Copper! The right balance between resort size and crouds. Not too big and crouded like Vail , but big enough to find great stashes. Friendly atmosphere, wish it was a little more affordable.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Nov 06, 2018
ACAllen C.
intermediate skier
Copper mountain is one of the best mountains in Colorado. I have been here a few times and there are many levels of terrain. I highly recommend this park for people that don’t like busy ski areas.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5May 28, 2018
Copper Mountain ReviewsKate H.
intermediate skier
Absolutely wonderful family holiday! Beautiful small village with all you need! Easy walk to the lifts..terrain for all levels of skiing! Great and varied restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner - we ate out 7 nights in a roww with a different experience eaxh night - all hrest food from mexican to Japanese and fine dining. Baby sitter available... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Apr 30, 2018
Copper Mountain ReviewsPaul H.
advanced skier
My family of five (13,11, 7 and two adults) spent 10 days at Copper. It was the best family ski holiday we have had. We enrolled the older two boys to Woodward lessons which concentrated on park skiing and the youngest did all mountain lessons. We were originally only going to send them to 3 days worth of lessons, but they enjoyed them so much... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Apr 26, 2018
Copper Mountain ReviewsCharles W.
advanced skier
Copper Mountainis the Colorado locals mountain. Less glitz and glam than Vail or Aspen, but the snow and the runs do not disappoint. Super easy access from the highway with ample parking and less crowds means more time on the slopes. Get back to Copper Bowl on the backside after some fresh snow and you'll feel a thousand miles away in a winter... More
Very Good!4 / 5Feb 08, 2018
JSJo S.
intermediate skier
I came here for a family trip in January, conditions were fabulous, minimal ice, I like how the mountain is set up by levels, which makes it extremely easier to be able to stick to one area without getting lost. We had several beginners, intermediates and advanced in my family so we could be able to plan accordingly. I highly recommended going... More