It seems appropriate to kick off our MAX Tour of 2017 at our home mountain of Copper Mountain, Colorado. No matter what kind of skiing you are after, Copper has terrain for everyone. Located fairly centrally, Copper is a very easy to access resort. Without traffic, you can be in Denver from Copper in about 65 minutes.
Looking south off of the top of Union Peak.
In early mornings, the low sun spreads shadows of trees over the freshly groomed trails. Ripping through the lower mountain on these mornings proves to be more than a good time. There’s something about the way your skis glide over the cord effortlessly.
Mornings feel quiet at Copper, unless it’s a pow day and the whoops and hollers of anxious skiers and riders resonate throughout the base as they wait impatiently for the lifts to spin.
First run of the (powder) day back down to Super Bee lift.
On weekday powder days, you may have the place to yourself. Sierra Chair.
On powder days, we tend to head to the East Village (1 of 3 starting points on the mountain), and jump on Super Bee Lift for our first run. It usually takes ski patrol a little while to work to get the upper bowls open and ensure safety. It’s always nice to find a patroller and ask them what they are working to try and open first and so you know where to keep scoping!
Indian Ridge can be fun early in the morning.
Another shot of deep Indian Ridge.
Depending on what your options are for open bowls, they all offer some fun lines. It will be dependent on your luck and timing, but getting first tracks in either Spaulding Bowl or Union Bowl is always a great time. Copper Bowl can take a little while longer for them to get open but when they do, continue skating/hiking as far out as you can for some untracked, mellow, and extremely fun lines.
Hiking up Union Peak.
On pow days, if you can get on the free Tucker Mountain snowcat, your day will be made! Not only is it super fun to take a ride in the cat, the terrain off of Tucker Mountain is often untracked for most of the day. A lot of people drop early, but if you hold out and keep hiking towards the end of the ridge there are amazing lines to be had.
The free Tucker Mtn Snowcat will make your day!
When snow hasn’t fallen in days and the sun is shining, the terrain park at Copper Mountain is really fun. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or pro park rider, there are some fun features and amazingly smooth and fluid jumps! Work on your pipe skills with the mini pipe, which is located above the entrance to the small and large terrain parks.
Free and easy parking, friendly faces, and incredible terrain options are just a few of the reasons why Copper should definitely be at the top of your hit list of Colorado Resorts. We may be a little bit biased, but there are no bad days at Copper!
Sierra Chair is a great place to spend part of your pow day.
With the MAX Pass, you receive 5 days of skiing at all 39 participating resorts! They even have options like add-on passes, which is what we did for our Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus. For more information, visit the MAX Pass website.
