Snow – it’s the stuff boarders and skiers dream of – and it has arrived in Colorado’s mountains, where the slopes are getting ready for business.
To celebrate the end of Colorado’s snow fast, Copper Mountain ski resort will host its sixth annual Lift Off festival Nov. 5-7 to mark the opening of the 2010-2011 season. The resort will kick the season into gear with ski- and snowboard-themed movies, demonstrations, concerts, giveaways and other events. Restaurants throughout the resort area also will be involved, hosting après ski parties, offering specials and celebrating with happy hours.
Copper continues the snow celebration throughout the season, with ski and snowboarding races, events and demos, as well as ongoing après ski specials.
Copper Mountain, 75 miles west of Denver, features 2,450 acres of downhill runs and 22 lifts, plus about 15 miles of cross-country ski terrain through the White River National Forest. And, if the weather doesn’t cooperate – meaning too-sunny skies – Copper is at the ready, vamping up some homemade stuff – just in case – with 380 acres of snow production capabilities.
The resort hosts training athletes and racers from around the world, as well as those from home, including the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Ski Teams and America’s Snowboard Team. Many choose Copper for their early-season training because the resort gets the snow ready quick. Its north-facing slopes and 9,712-foot base elevation keep the snow there even in Colorado’s unpredictable warm winter days.
Copper Mountain’s terrain is divided into roughly 21 percent beginner areas, 25 percent intermediate, 36 percent advanced and 18 percent expert.
And for the tricksters, a recently-upgraded terrain park – including the Olympic-size “superpipe” – offers jumps, pipe progressions and rails for the daredevils and those just wanting to try something new.
To top it off, Woodward at Copper, the resort’s year-round training facility, is one of the first indoor/outdoor ski and snowboard camp in the world. In the 20,000-square-foot gym called the Barn, skiers and boarders can work on trick techniques and learn new ones using a skateboard park-like indoor arena of trampolines, foam pits, a spring floor and “shred” rails.
Skiers and boarders can practice flips, spins and aerials, sometimes in workout gear, but mainly suited up and strapped in to their skis or boards. The Barn allows a full progression of trick technique practice, even offering Snowflex jumps – slick material people can glide down to hit a jump, practice a flip or spin, and land safely in the foam pit (softer even than Colorado’s powder).
Skiers and boarders taking advantage of the day camps can train during the first part of the day and then take to the slopes to put the practiced skills to work. Jumpers still have a safe place to land on Copper’s air bag – a big, snow-covered inflated cushion at the end of a terrain park jump.
For those who want some personalized training on the ski runs, Copper also offers private and group lessons.
The close proximity to Denver makes a snow day-trip to Copper possible, but for those wanting to stay a few days, a number of lodging options are available, ranging from the lodge to condos.
If You Go
Copper Mountain Resort
209 Ten Mile Circle
Copper Mountain, Colorado 80443
866-841-2481
For lift ticket information, events calendar and information about Woodward at Copper visit coppercolorado.com.