Copper Mountain Ski Resort Review

As a Summit County resort, Copper Mountain is accessible by the free Summit Stage bus. The bus actually stops closer to the resort than does the shuttle from the parking lot. If you are staying in Dillon, Silverthorne or Breckenridge, here's an insider's tip. Park your car in the free parking lot at the Frisco transfer station, and take the free shuttle to the mountain. When it's time for lunch, keep in mind that almost everyone will crowd the cafeterias between noon and 2:00 p.m. You can avoid the lunchtime crowds by eating earlier or later. In fact, if you have a season pass or a four pack, you will get a 10 percent discount if you eat before 11 a.m. Of course, this also means that you will be treated to shorter lift lines between noon and 2:00 p.m.

While most people crowd into Jack's, which is located in Center Village, Grand Hall, located in East Village, is much less crowded. Grand Hall also offers an affordable pasta special. The East Village terrain is for upper intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. However, there is a free shuttle bus that runs to all areas of the mountain. If you get hungry, the Mountain Ambassadors have a free cookie stand, which is located near the top of the American Eagle lift. Additionally, the ambassadors occasionally stroll the base area and hand out granola bars.

If you are considering ski lessons, it's interesting to note that while most people crowd into the lower level classes, the intermediate classes are relatively empty. Furthermore, if you take a weekday intermediate class, you might end up with either a private or a semi-private lesson for the price of a group lesson.

As far as lodging is concerned, there have been occasional complaints about the booking system used by the resort. Fortunately, there's a way around it. If you book your stay directly through the owner, you will get a cheaper rate. Additionally, owners typically hire their own housekeeping companies, which tend to be more diligent than Copper's own company. However, if you do book with an individual owner, your lodging package will not include a lift ticket. On the other hand, a typical Copper lodging package usually includes a "free" Beeline Lift Ticket, which is a special ticket that allows you to cut lift lines. Keep in mind that this ticket costs over $100 if purchased separately, but in many cases, it is not needed. Although your package will say that the lift ticket is free, the actual cost of this elite ticket is jacking up the price of your lodging. You might want to consider booking your lodging through the individual owner, and purchasing one of Copper's multi-day packages, which are available on their website.

For those who like the backcountry, Copper has free cat skiing tours of Tucker Mountain, which begin in January.

Copper Mountain's layout is its claim to fame. Absolute beginners stay in Union Creek, an area whose terrain is so easy that you never have to worry about advanced skiers ripping through and causing collisions. Unfortunately, this area is served by old fashioned lifts, which are awkward for loading and unloading, and painfully slow while in transit. While there have been talks about updating lifts in this area, no definitely plans have been made.

Advanced beginners and intermediates usually stay in the Timberline area, or the terrain located off the American Flyer lift. Keep in mind that the Flyer is a long lift ride. On windy days, it has been known to stop midway. It's quite cold and windy, so be sure to bundle up.

Advanced intermediates like the trails off the American Eagle. In early and late season, these are often the only trails that are open. Quite often, beginners ignore the "no beginner terrain" signs, thus creating some major obstacles. As mentioned, the trails in East Village are for advanced skiers. This area is the gateway to Copper Mountain's famous bowls. However, on windy days, the upper mountain lifts may be closed.

Copper Mountain has a superb ski school for adults. In fact, some of the instructors are so obsessed about teaching technique that they voluntarily participate in a weekly movement analysis session throughout the winter season. Unfortunately, the children's classes tend to be overcrowded. If you can afford it, consider a private lesson.

While most of the trails on Copper are well marked, there is one exception. If you are taking Andy's Encore from Center Village to East Village, the trail is marked "blue." Unfortunately, if you go too far to the right, you may end up on an unmarked black mogul run. Stay to the left, and you will be fine.

Many people who visit Copper are surprised that it has a relatively limited nightlife. Shopping opportunities are limited, and there are only two on mountain dining venues. If nightlife is your thing, consider staying in the neighboring town of Frisco.

Accessibility is an issue for all Summit County resorts. The ride from Denver International Airport usually takes about 90 minutes. However, during severe snow storms, it can take longer. In fact, the tunnel or I-70 may even be closed. If you are renting a car, chains and/or snow tires are required. You can go car free and take Colorado Mountain Express. The rates are close to $90 a person, if you take it door to door. However, in 2008, Copper made a new arrangement with the Grayline Bus Company, which now offers service from the airport to Copper Mountain.

It's interesting to note that even during the tight economy, Copper Mountain management chose to keep its skier satisfaction surveyors. This indicates a major value of the resort. Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance. In fact, each year, the lift operators compete with the Winter Park lift ops to see who can get the highest rating. Thus, in contrast to Vail resorts, you will find Copper employees to be friendly and helpful. While some visitors do not like the fact that in the Summit County area, Copper is the only resort that they can visit, others like Copper Mountain so much that they have no interest in visiting the competition.

Copper is somewhat expensive, but no more so than any of the other local areas. In the long run, the attention to detail and superb customer service makes Copper Mountain worth a visit.