Summary: One of the notable resorts along the I-70 corridor is Copper Mountain. Copper Mountain is the largest of the Summit County resorts, located just off of I-70 about 30 minutes east of Vail. Copper is sometimes considered a locals’ ski area, with Breckenridge and Vail getting more of the tourist traffic.
With 2,400 acres of terrain and an ample lift system, Copper provides an experience where skiers have access to a significant variety of terrain. It makes are Top 20 list precisely for that reason – a family will find a very balanced distribution of runs to suit various skill levels as well as many of the necessary family amenities. Much like Vail, Copper has bowls which offer expert skiing terrain.
While Copper Mountain has a base village, it is lacking for any significant “ski-town” atmosphere. Still, its proximity to the other Summit County locations, including the towns of Frisco and Dillon just a few miles to the east, provide plenty of options for dining and nightlife, and if you are just there for a few days you will find plenty of places to eat at the mountain base.
Lodging: Copper Mountain offers a wide array of slopeside lodging, and the immediate area offers many condos and a few hotels. For someone looking to save even more (Copper is not known to be as expensive as other area resorts), lodging in the town of Frisco will leave you with just a short drive to the slopes.
Ski Area / Peak Elevation / Vertical Drop: 2,400 acres / 12,300 feet / 2,600 feet
Non-Skier Activities: The base village at Copper offers some shops, spas, and typical resort fare. However, it is light on the “ski-town” ambience that you might get in Breckenridge, Aspen, or even more modern Vail. Breckenridge and Vail are easy drives (<30 minutes) if you have access to a vehicle.
Ski School: Copper’s ski school offers lessons for ages 3-15. Reservations are recommended but not required. Rates start at $124 for a full day, with discounts for multi-day lessons.
Child Care: Child care is offered for ages 6 weeks to 8 years. This age range is among the widest that we reviewed, and we commend Copper for that (although most 8 year olds are hopefully hitting the slopes for at least part of their season.) Cost is $98 for a full day, with discounts for advance booking.
Getting There: Copper Mountain is approximately 2 hours from Denver International Airport, which is serviced by every major airline. A secondary option would be the Vail / Eagle County airport, which would result in a 1 hour drive to Copper.
Insider Tip: Using Copper as a homebase and doing a daytrip to Vail or Breckenridge could be a cost-effective way to ski those resorts, given their higher cost of lodging.
