Chasing Icons: It’s All About the Tricks and Flips at Copper Mountain

One of Copper’s finest qualities is its laid back and inclusive vibe. Don’t let that fool you, though: the atmosphere may be relaxed but the skiing most certainly is not.

Lots of varied terrain to play on—Groomers to off-piste—it's all fun out here in Copper. -TGR Photo

Not only does the 2500 acre-mountain feature fun and varied terrain—bumps, groomers for speed laps, and world class terrain parks—but they even have FREE inbounds cat skiing. Expanding the big mountain terrain is the next agenda on their list, currently the backside is expansive for expert skiing.

Nothing beats ripping corduroy in the morning! After soaking in the view from Union Bowl, we dropped into Super Bee to go mach 5 on some fresh groomers.

With fresh corduroy this good, we're nothing but smiles. -TGR Photo

The hill, which is proud to be a family owned-and-operated company, is a particular favorite for the local Frisco, Summit County, and Denver community. The village is extremely accessible and everything is within reach—restaurants, bars, hotels—visiting Copper is hassle free.

For Après, the favorite around here is the Ten Mile Tavern. Spring quickly approaching means Sunsation: Copper’s local spring concert and festival. Imagine what happens when you combine a slopestyle event with a pondskim: what you get is the Red Bull Slope Soaker, which is by far the most popular and rowdy part of the festival.

Copper is the flagship resort in the POWDR portfolio, meaning that there is exciting developments for the mountain, Particularly within the realm of big mountain terrain. For now Ligare rips it on one of the many fun in-bounds trails. -TGR Photo

Instead of being famous for one particular team or athlete, Copper chooses to celebrate a variety of characters that call their slopes home.

The resort is committed to the industry as a whole, evident in their support of events ranging from the early-season US Ski Team Speed Center, Grand Prix, Rev Tour, Special Olympics, OR/SIA on-snow demo, USASA Nationals and more. Plus, Copper is home to one of the greatest action sports training grounds: Woodward.

The layout of the village at Copper is centralized, it makes accessing everything the mountain has to offer effortless. -TGR Photo

Woodward, founded in Pennsylvania, started originally as a summer gymnastics camp. What set it apart was the intention of linking together expert training to olympic hopefuls at world class facilities. The program grew at Copper, with its first mountain based center.

With its daily lessons, camps, season long programs and more, “The Barn” serves more than just skiers and snowboarders. Skateboarders, BMXers, mountain biker, and even the committed scooter rider can hone in their skills here. Even if you can’t get sendy—but have always wanted to do—it’s safe place to work on progression.

"You get them started at such a young age, they are progressing the entire sport and stay safe it’s a true progression from tramps to foam pit – they learn a trick before ever trying it on snow" said photographer Justin Mayers. 

"I am always so stoked when I go to Woodward, because you get to see all the little kids throwing down in a safe and progressive way – we didn’t have that opportunity when I was younger." -Chris Farro. TGR Photo 

Engerbretson honing in her backflips. Woodward is a playground for true progression. -TGR Photo

It doesn't matter if you're a professional athlete or you've never thrown a backflip: Woodward is a space for progression and play. - TGR Photo 

We could have spent hours in the expansive 19,400ft 2 indoor playground. There’s a little bit of something for everyone: skateparks, olympic-grade trampolines, foam pit jumps, indoor ski and snowboard training. We didn't want to leave, but we're already back on the road!