Molded in the Resort
The heart of ETR’s skiing content lies in the backcountry. We have written about it, blogged about it, talked about it, commented on it, and researched it probably more than any of us care to think about. Heck, some of us even wrote a book about it.
However, as great as skiing out of bounds is, it’s easy to forget that it all starts at the resort. As someone who grew up a snowboarder and only came back to the light a few seasons ago, I have spent a ton of time in bounds the past few years trying to refine and work on my skiing. As much as I love earning my turns, I have absolutely zero qualms about letting the chairlift earn them for me a good chunk of the time.
One of our favorite resorts (well, mine anyway) is Copper Mountain. I grew up here. I learned to ski and ride here. And it keeps calling me back again and again. In fact, this year I set a goal to ski 100% of the runs at Copper in a single season. I ended coming up just a few greens short, but the journey gave me an idea. And thus, the guide was born.
All in a season’s work.
About the Guide
It is a pretty simple concept: take what we know & love about copper and categorize it into a series of ‘Best of’ lists. (Being mountaineers, who can resist the urge to make lists and rank stuff?) Each list provides insights, thoughts, opinions, and our 5 favorite runs across all of the various types of terrain at Copper. But rather than me continuing to ramble on about it, click on one of the links below and check it out for yourself. We hope you enjoy!
Home – ETR’s Guide to Copper Mountain
Copper’s Top 5 Tree Runs
Copper’s Top 5 Steep Runs
Copper’s Top 5 Cruiser Runs
Copper’s Top 5 Mogul Runs
Copper’s Top 5 Powder Stashes
The 10 Steepest Runs at Copper
Disclaimer: ETR’s Guide to Copper Mountain is an entirely subjective, unofficial guide to the mountain and is not officially associated with Copper in any way. All of the insights here are simply our opinions based on many runs down the hill. It goes without saying, but follow all resort rules, evaluate conditions as you go, and ski at your own risk.
David – This is arguably the finest and most creative addition to the site – and that’s saying something given its an out of bounds focus. I got to know Copper relatively well back in 2014, where I skied 2 days in a row by myself to round out the inbounds season and knowingly and unknowingly skied most of the runs listed in this extensive guide. The only disagreement I have with you is #17 Glade. I found you can ride that from essentially the entrance of it all the way down, with consistent pitches and double fall lines galore to the bottom of Super Bee. It was the first tree run at Copper I remember thinking could hold a candle to the Jane. Then a year later Colorado saw 100,000 new residents and I couldn’t bring myself to buy another season pass. Nonetheless, this has motivated me to get my hands on a Copper 4-pack maybe next year and explore these goods more extensively.
I think I have enough shots and beta, either first or second hand, to make one of these for Mary Jane. Job well done!
Zambo, this is an awesome addition. Nice job being so thorough, there’s a ton of great information here! I’m thinking about getting a Copper 4 Pack for next season and using this guide to ski there. I haven’t spent much time there to be honest and this series is definitely motivating 🙂
I absolutely love this post! This is extremely similar to what I want to do with my blogging, but with the East’s lackluster season I didn’t get as many days in as I’d wished. Thank you for the inspiration!