by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 10/7/2025
We had been to all of the other Summit County Colorado Ski Resorts except Copper Mountain, and we had read a lot of good things about it. So this trip was planned to go find out if those reports we had een reading were accurate. The secondary reason was that our son was eager to switch from skis to snowboard (as his Mom & Dad now only snowboard) and we had read that the snowboard instructors were good at Copper Mountain.
As you can see in the Copper Mountain trail map above, it is spread out across several mountains. However, as Jeremy had just switched from skis to snowboard, we spent most of our time on the trails to the right.
We had started our planning for this trip, in September 2009, in order to find not only a nice place to stay, but to find the best air fares, etc. The issue that got in the way, was the fact that we were trying to sell our Great Falls, VA house in order to relocate to Sarasota,FL.
Once we received an offer on the Virginia house, we realized that our relocation would be taking place in mid-December, which would make the Colorado trip occur rather soon after we had moved into the Florida house.
The number of condo buildings at Copper Mountain has been cited as 38, located primarily across its three villages: East, Center, and West. These buildings house a variety of accommodations, from hotel rooms to one and two-bedroom condos, and are located conveniently near the ski lifts, restaurants, and shops. Examples of specific complexes include Snowflake in the East Village, Passage Point and Tucker Mountain Lodge in the Center Village, and The Cirque in the West Village.
We selected a condo in Copper Mountain via the VRBO web site (see first pic to the left), based upon the condo's proximity to the central area of Copper Mountain, as well as to it's proximity to the bus stops that ferry everyone to & from the various lifts
Part 2 of our game plan, was that our son Jeremy was eager to switch from skiing to snowboarding, and we wanted him to take lessons near where we would be snowboarding each day. That way, we could come collect him each afternoon when his lessons were done, and either continue back to the hill, or head back to the condo
We did a combination of both, and on the third day, Jeremy's instructor told us that Jeremy was ready to be on the hill and that there wasn't much more he could teach him as a recreational snowboarder. So we took him back to the lifts, went up the hill, and rode with him to observe first hand how his technique was going to be.
Part 3 of our game plan, was that Copper Mountain has a really good snow tubing area, with multiple tubing lanes, where we could either tube individually, or collectively by holding on to each other's tube handles.
Of course, if you tube down the hill, then you have to pull your tube back up the hill. But the motivation is right there next to you! Or in other words, all the way up the hill, you are walking next to the tubing lanes, where people are going back down!
That is me going back up to the top on the left, and Jeremy is in the pic to the right.
The condo rental we selected was adjacent to the "central courtyard resort area" where most restaurants, ski shops, etc, could be found. It was also perhaps 50 yards away from the main road that takes you to all of the ski lifts, and where the bus stops could be found (see pics to the left & right).
Because all of the ski lift parking lots filled up rapidly each morning, we decided that riding the bus made so much more sense, as we did not have to cruise for a parking spot, the buses run frequently, and we didn't have to do anything but get on and off the free bus!
One of the nicest advantages of snowboarding versus skiing, is that you can sit down on the slopes, anytime you feel like it and then just get up and continue boarding! Or, you can watch less skilled snowboarders fall down all over the hill, although in this picture (see above), I was watching Jeremy make some linked turns.
If you really want to have fun "sitting down", then take a look at image # 2. Copper Mountain has a nice snow tubing area and we enjoyed our visit.
Copper Mountain has some great mid-mountain places (image # 1) where you can eat lunch, or grab a hot drink, or just come in and have a snack and catch your breath & warm up.
Image # 2, shows Celeste's snowboard waiting for her to come back outside from the mid-mountain shop. We were inside enjoying something warm to drink and a quick snack.
This picture to the left, shows you not only how nice the weather was that week, but also what an advantage it is to have your camera with you on the ski lift !
The picture to the right shows Jeremy and I on the way up the hill again.
All good vacations have to come to an end at some point, and this one required us to drive back to Denver. As you can see in these pictures, the weather was a bit snowy that morning, but driveable, because Colorado does a great job of moving the snow off the highways
Copper Mountain is one of Colorado’s most accessible ski destinations — especially if you're flying into Denver International Airport (DEN). The drive takes just under two hours via I-70 West, making it a popular choice for both weekend warriors and extended vacationers. The resort is located right off the highway, so no winding mountain passes or long detours are needed.
One of the best features of Copper is its location within Summit County, giving you quick access to nearby ski areas like Breckenridge, Keystone, and Vail — all within a 45-minute radius. This makes Copper a fantastic home base if you're planning to explore multiple resorts during your stay.
The mountain itself is naturally divided by skill level — beginner runs are concentrated on the west side, intermediate terrain spans the center, and the east side offers challenging expert terrain. This layout keeps skiers and snowboarders of different levels from constantly crossing paths, which makes for a smoother experience on the slopes.
Lodging options at Copper range from slope-side condos to affordable hotels in nearby Frisco, just a 10-minute drive away. Dining is convenient too, with a mix of casual spots and après-ski bars in the central village.
Need gear? Rentals are available right at the base, and lessons are offered for all ages and experience levels.
If you're visiting during the winter season, keep an eye on weather conditions — I-70 is well-maintained, but snowstorms can slow travel. It's also smart to arrive early if you're driving in for a day trip, as parking can fill up quickly during peak weekends.
Copper Mountain is just 75 miles from Denver with 2,490 acres of skiable terrain and a village that feels more like a neighborhood. Copper's guests enjoy steps away lodging, apres ski entertainment, naturally divided terrain, exciting events and a welcoming, knowledgeable staff.
| Base Elevation: | 9,712 feet/2,946 meters |
| Summit Elevation: | 12,313 feet/3,767 meters |
| Vertical Drop: | 2,601 feet/793 meters |
| Chairlifts: | 23 total (1 six-person high-speed lift; 6 high-speed quads; 5 triple chairlifts; 5 double chairlifts and 7 surface lifts.) |
| Lift Capacity: | 32,324 skiers per hour |
| Skiable Acres: | 2,490 acres/985 hectares makes Copper one of the largest ski and snowboard resorts in Colorado |
| Marked Trails: | Over 140 marked trails (21% beginner, 25% intermediate, 36% advanced, 18% expert) |
| Avg Snowfall: | 305 inches/774 centimeters |
| Snowmaking: | 364 acres/148 hectares |
| Longest Run: | 1.7 miles/2.73 kilometers (Collage) |
How do you get to Copper Mountain?
The resort is about 75 to 90 miles west of Denver, a roughly 1.5-hour drive without traffic. The closest major airport is Denver International Airport (DIA), with Eagle County Regional Airport being a smaller, closer option. Shuttle services like Summit Express operate from DIA.
What is the parking situation?
Free and paid parking options are available. The Alpine and Far East lots are free and include a shuttle to the base areas, while closer lots are paid. Overnight parking is not permitted in public lots.
How does Copper compare to other Colorado resorts?
Compared to larger, busier resorts like Vail or Breckenridge, Copper often feels less crowded, especially on weekends. The terrain is naturally divided by skill level, which helps separate skiers and snowboarders. Copper is also generally considered a more affordable option.
What kind of terrain does Copper have?
The resort is known for its naturally divided terrain, with beginner slopes on the west side, intermediate runs in the center, and expert territory on the east side. It offers over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain.
What is the altitude?
Copper's base elevation is 9,600 feet, and its peak reaches 12,441 feet. Visitors are advised to be cautious of the high altitude and its effects.
What is Woodward Copper?
Woodward is a world-class training facility with multiple terrain parks and an indoor "Barn" featuring trampolines, foam pits, and a skatepark. It provides training for action sports like skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding for all ability levels.
Is Copper Mountain good for beginners?
Yes, the West Village area is known for its gentle, wide-open green runs, making it a great place for those new to skiing or snowboarding.
Are helmets required?
While typically not mandatory for adults, children under a certain age (often 12 or 14) are required to wear helmets, particularly when enrolled in ski lessons.
What can you do besides ski?
In winter, activities include ice skating, tubing, and snowshoeing. In the summer, the resort offers mountain biking, hiking, a mountain coaster, and bumper boats.
What is the nightlife like?
Copper's nightlife is more relaxed than in nearby towns. Popular après-ski spots include JJ's Tavern and Jack's Slopeside Grill, which often feature live music. For more options, visitors can take a short drive to the towns of Frisco, Dillon, or Breckenridge.
Note: All images featured on this page are the exclusive property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise stated. When images from external sources are used, full credit is given to the original creator, along with a link to the specified license or usage terms. We are committed to respecting copyright and intellectual property rights, ensuring that all third-party images are properly attributed. If you have any questions regarding image ownership or usage rights, please feel free to contact us.
Affiliate Links: We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links. This helps support our travel content — thank you!
Content: To review any of our content, make suggestions and/or comments, please click the "About" menu link at the top of this page. You will find our "Contact Us" link on that drop-down menu.
