Copper Mountain

One does not need to be a park rat or a Colorado native to know about Copper Mountain. Located about 75-miles west of Denver (100-miles west of Denver International Airport), it is a quick road trip into the Rocky Mountains using I-70.

The Mile High state straddles the Continental Divide and is home to 54 peaks that surpass 14,000-feet in elevation. Visitors will find the town of Frisco just eight miles east of the mountain and resort, along the shores of Dillion Reservoir. Since opening in November 1972, several owners have maintained and built on the mountain's reputation, including the current operator POWDR.

Elevated Skiing in an Alpine Setting

You can take your skiing to a whole new level at Copper Mountain. Literally.

The base elevation here is an impressive 9,712 feet. With a summit of 12,441 feet, those looking for the best alternative to work will enjoy skiing and snowboarding in one of the Rockies' high alpine biomes.

Those keeping tabs with their abacus will deduct that Copper Mountain has a vertical drop of 2,738 feet. That will not place it in the Top 10 in this category, but it still offers runs with plenty of lengths. Collage trail, for example, boasts a length of 1.7 miles as the longest run.

Visitors will find Copper Mountain to be big, thanks to its layout. The naturally divided terrain spaces the trails out and is a stand-out feature that makes skiing and snowboarding at this location unique.

On average, the mountain receives about 305-inches of snow annually. The region is also known for its lower humidity levels (low enough that some visitors find it uncomfortable until they acclimate). Lower humidity and high snowfall rate provide plenty of chances to ski on the dry, light snow referred to as Champagne Powder at the Steamboat Ski Resorts north of Copper Mountain.

The area might not receive as much annual snowfall as resorts on the west coast, but there is still plenty of chances to get dumped on while skiing. Those who visit also have a good chance at skiing in the bright sunshine that Colorado is known for (there are 245 sunny days on average annually).

It stays cool on this mountain that ranks as one of the colder places in the state. January's average nighttime temperature averages 3.7-degrees Fahrenheit.

Easy access, alpine elevations, naturally divided terrain, lower humidity, and sunshine make for great skiing or snowboarding. There are better chances to run into gnarly powder than the hard crud here.

There Is Something for Everyone at Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain has plenty of ski options for first-timers, experienced skiers looking for a challenge, or ski bums looking to show off. Visitors can access nearly 140 marked trails by two dozen lifts of various designs.

Copper Mountain offers trails rated green, blue, black diamond, and double diamond. There are also plenty of amenities like food, shopping, and family activities in one of the three villages supporting the mountain.