It may be early in the ski season, but that doesn't mean you don't have your choice of ski areas in Colorado; at least six resorts are open within a two-hour drive from Denver. If you're looking to make some turns along the I-70 corridor in the next few weeks, we recommend heading to Copper Mountain. A short 1.5 hour car ride from Denver, Copper has really upped their early-season offerings. Here are 5 reasons why it's worth a stop, whether you're a weekend warrior or a visitor looking to score some early season powder.
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1. Top-to-bottom skiing: Each fall, the team at Copper works tirelessly to open the mountain with conditions they can be proud of. Unlike some ski areas (especially outside Colorado), this means that Copper ensures top to bottom runs. Pro tip: if you want to be ready for that two-foot powder day, don't just race down the mountain. Make plenty of turns and feel the burn, your legs should hurt when you get to the bottom.
2. A great early-season terrain park: The early-season park at Copper is top notch. There are plenty of features with separate lines for different ability levels. The park is separate from other ski traffic and a top-notch grooming team keeps the take offs and landings ice free.
3. Discounts on lessons: During the early season, the Copper Mountain ski and snowboard school runs discounted group and private lessons. The private lessons are an especially good deal, with some dates before December 16 offering lessons at 50 percent off. Head over here for more info and call 866-464-4432 to book and discuss what the exact pricing would be for your specific dates. (Some restrictions apply over Thanksgiving)
4. High-speed chairlifts: Lift lines during the early season can be long. Copper helps to mitigate this issue with its high-speed quads at the base. We can't guarantee there won't be lines, but at least fast chairlifts keep things moving.
5. Good snow quality: As of November 20, Copper currently boasts a solid 29 inch base after receiving almost 55 inches of snow so far this season. But while all the Colorado ski areas are benefitting from good early-season snow, Copper knows how to keep the snow well groomed. You'll find plenty of snow to turn on and a dedicated mountain operations team that's always trying to keep the runs in the best shape possible. Head this way for current mountain conditions.
· Copper Mountain [Official Site]