Copper Mountain’s Best Steep Runs

This post is part of a series from ETR on Copper Mountain’s best runs. Check out other lists of top runs at Copper Mountain here. 

Wide open spaces and big drops in the back bowls

Copper’s bowls offer an amazing variety of terrain to work on your steep skiing. Each bowl offers something very unique and distinct. Once you get to know the idiosyncrasies back here, it can be really fun to jump around to the different offerings in each zone.

Before we list our five favorite steep runs at Copper, here are a few details just to get us oriented to the steep zones at Copper.

• Spaulding Bowl: The south and east aspects of Spaulding have some of the steepest, gnarliest chutes on the whole mountain – tons of fun. But right next door on the northern aspect, lies much more manageable, wide-open bowl terrain – a great spot for newbies to cut their teeth on more reasonable steeps in the alpine.
• Resolution Bowl: If steep bumps are your thing, Reso Bowl is for you. Bonus points for shredding the 35+ degree mogul slope directly underneath the Resolution lift.
• Union Peak: A very quick hike (2-3 mins) opens up a super wide expanse of steep terrain beneath your feet. We just wish it was a bit longer.
• Copper Bowl: Copper’s west ridge offers almost a mile of choose-you-own-drop-in fun. A cornice guards almost every entrance onto the excellent steep slopes below.
• Tucker Mountain: The new Three Bear’s Chair (opened winter 2019) is the ticket to a steep paradise. This is some of the best terrain Copper has to offer, provided it has fresh snow and you get to it early.

With so many great zones to choose from, it was hard to pick the 5 best runs. But that’s what lists are for. So, here are our favorite spots to try out your jump turns.

 

#5. Union Peak

Union Peak is accessed via a very quick walk from the top of the Celebrity Ridge Poma or Mountain Chief lift. When you reach the 12,313 foot summit, take a moment to look around and enjoy the breathtaking views. You are in the beating heart of Copper up here, with virtually every area of the mountain visible below you. The vast expanse of the Rockies lies beyond. But it’s also probably very windy (it usually is up here), so it quickly becomes time to ski.

The terrain off the North side of Union Peak is basically a big open bowl, without too many markers or rope lines to hinder you. Mild bumps are usually around unless it had snowed a lot recently. The steepest section is right down the center and can be all kinds of fun (a direct start off the true summit is usually only available late in the season). The wind tends to deposit snow in Union Bowl, so the coverage is usually excellent, especially after a big storm. Unfortunately, that also tends to draw the crowds, so be sure to hit this one early.

As you make your last turns near the bottom, keep your eyes peeled for a series of natural kickers to pop off of. The most famous is called the Onion Roll. It can get pretty huge by the end of the season. Hopefully the jumps are devoid of gapers blindly stopped directly atop the launch pad (it’s just a little too convenient of a rest spot).

ETR Pro Tips: 

• You don’t actually have to walk to the true summit to enjoy Union Peak. Traverse as high as you can and then cut out onto the face. Or traverse over from the top of the Sierra lift. Either option will only cost you a few feet of vertical, but will still provide excellent steeps.
• If you do drop in at the summit, cut somewhat to skiers left to find the steepest line. It will also be less tracked out.
• The big knocks on Union Peak are the traffic and the fact that it’s just too short. Rather than lapping this, it is usually best to hit it early a few times and then move further in. You can get a bonus lap later on your way out of Copper Bowl via Mountain Chief.
• If the center of Union Peak looks too tracked out, try descending a bit to Buzzard’s Alley. Although this is a shorter run, the snow here is usually much less tracked out and makes for a nice steep shot.

 

#4. Schaeffer’s

Copper Bowl’s West Ridge is a long line of hike-to terrain with a near continuous set of options to drop in on the south side. The wind forms a nice cornice most of the way to add to the fun.

It’s hard to pick just one favorite from the runs here, but Schaeffer’s gets the nod from us. Not only is it the steepest of the bunch, but it also starts just below a small summit along the ridge. Extra uphill hiking tends to push away most hikers.

You can choose how tough to make the entrance; the cornice gets bigger as you work your way uphill. Regardless of your entry point, gain control quickly as a series of rocks usually must be navigated shortly thereafter. Beyond this, the angle relents a bit and you will most likely have a mix of terrain to deal with. You will eventually run into some small cliff bands and more rocks further down. These can be avoided to skier’s right, or you can hunt for creative ways through the terrain if you’re jonesin to practice your mixed terrain turns. Near the bottom, head on over to Mountain Chief to repeat the fun.

ETR Pro Tips:

• Every run along the west ridge is pretty great. If you don’t mind just a little bit of sweat equity, lapping the ridge and dropping each respective chute can be a great way to spend the day on some steep terrain.
• Schaeffer’s (like all the runs here) is south facing. Thus, the sun can do all kinds of work on it, from soupy slush to rock hard grundle in the morning spring time. Plan accordingly, given the time of year you go and the current coverage.

#3. So Fine

This name isn’t lying. Not only does So Fine have the single greatest max angle at Copper, but it is one of the best overall chutes on the hill.

So Fine is in Spaulding Bowl in the middle of all its chutes. But the key to So Fine is that the entrance is a bit past the main attractions. Ski past Patrol Chute and Cornice Chute and descend slightly down the ridge to reach So Fine. From here, you will most likely have the steep, somewhat narrow chute all to yourself. A big cornice awaits the bold who want to huck into this. But be cautious: thin rocks force you into a line right down the middle. There aren’t too many other secrets to this one. It is short but it will certainly command your attention. Saddle up and enjoy the pitch.

ETR Pro Tip: The entrance to So Fine can be confusing to find from the top – it’s a bit of a hidden start. Take a lap on a different Spaulding run and stop to survey the terrain looker’s right of the center chutes once you get down. You will probably see one that makes you think, “Wow, that hidden little line sure looks like fun.” And now you have it.

 

#2. Denverite (Formerly Fremont #2)

Denverite is one of a series of excellent steep runs on the far east side of Tucker Mountain, formerly known as the Fremont Glades. All together, they are the crown jewel for steep skiing at Copper (as the “EX” ratings by Copper will proudly inform you).

Tucker Mountain used to be only accessible via a hike or a snowcat, thus preserving this pristine environment for those willing to put in the work. But these days, with the Addition of the Three Bears lift in 2019, the whole area has lost most of its ‘out there’ charm. And if it hasn’t snowed in a while, these runs can all get pretty wind blown and bumpy. It’s a real tragedy, in our opinion.

But our grumblings aside, Denverite is probably our favorite steep run in this area. All of the chutes aroud here are good, but we like this one because of the variety.

An open steep face leads to a roll at the top, which in turns drops you into a steep, consistent line for well over 1,100 feet. What lies below you will vary depending on coverage and conditions, but you are almost guaranteed to find a mix of steeps, rocks, trees, and (most importantly) hopefully amazing snow to enjoy the whole way down.

One of the things we especially love about Denverite is that the steeps continue right on into the trees. The angle stays pretty high as you work your way into wide cuts through the glades. Either veer off to the side to enjoy true tree skiing, or stay in the avy path and revel in the very long and consistent steep turns.

ETR Pro Tips:

• As mentioned above, this area just ain’t what it used to be. Much of Tucker Mountain can get skied off quickly, and it loses much of it’s appeal if it hasn’t snowed in a while. You really need to wait for some fresh snow to truly appreciate this area. But still, when the conditions are right, it’s hard to find a better series of steep runs at Copper.
• It’s very debatable which run down Tucker is the best. But in general, we like to turn left off of the chair as opposed to right. This tends to offer longer, steeper, and more consistent runs. As a general rule, the further skier’s right (east) you go, the less tracks you will encounter.

 

#1. Patrol Chute (and Cornice Chute)

Patrol Chute sits right at the entrance to Spaulding Bowl. From this gate you’re able to peer alllll the way down via the steep, funneling run that is Patrol Chute. What makes it fun is the long, relentless steeps all the way to the bottom. Stay skier’s left for a steeper, more direct funneling chute. Rock bands on your left further add to the challenge. Or stray right out onto the face if Patrol Chute proper ends up being too much for you. But whatever you do, be sure to stop and look back on what you’ve accomplished once you reach the bottom. You can be proud to have skied one of the steepest, best runs that Copper has to offer.

Cornice Chute is the next door neighbor to Patrol chute. So, we wanted to cheat and include it here as well. Cornice Chute doesn’t hide much. It proudly sits at the top of Spaulding Bowl with its long line and various challenges all laid before you, just begging to be skied. As you look down, you can see pretty much the whole thing ahead: a massive cornice followed by some steep turns in a chute that takes you all the way to the bottom of the bowl. The good news is, once you’re past the Cornice the skiing becomes much easier. But it can take all your courage to huck it directly. Send it!

ETR Pro Tip: Both Patrol chute and Cornice Chute sit at the top Spaulding Ridge and are on display for all to see. You’re sure to have a few cautious onlookers lurking at the top (especially for Cornice Chute), just waiting for someone else to drop in and lead the way. This is your chance to be a hero.

 

The Bonus Lap: Boulderado (Formerly Freemont #1)

It is our opinion that whoever came up with the new runs on Tucker Mountain should be banned from ever skiing them. With horribly cheesy, thematic names like ‘Boulderado’, ‘Denverite’, ‘Ram’s Run’, and ‘Buffalo Stampede’, it’s hard to not feel like these were named by a corporate committee. and that almost always leads to a terrible resort. It’s a real shame.

Anyway, Boulderado (formerly called Freemont #1) is at the extreme east edge of Tucker Mountain. It has it all. The initial drop is the steepest of all the Freemont Glades and the average drop is also the highest of the group. Given its position at the very end of the ridge, it is almost guaranteed to have the best snow. Revel in the (hopefully) deep pow as you descend to the trees. Enjoy the wide open steeps carved by mother nature (#1 is often closed thanks to avy danger and/or recent avalanches) as you eventually hit the cat walk at the bottom which will take you back to the Three Bears and Blackjack lifts.

The Double Bonus Lap: The Taco

At least one run on Tucker kept it’s old name, and that is the aptly named ‘The Taco’. This run is hard to miss. It is a narrow chute which goes straight down Tucker Mountain. It’s edges create a sort of wide open natural half pipe, or a taco, the whole way down as you descend (whether the run received its name thanks to the Mexican food dish, or as a wink and a nod to an anatomical pun, we’ll never know….)

Getting into the Taco can be a bit tricky and scrapey, but once you are in it, there’s usually some very good snow thanks to its shape aiding with accumulating whatever snow has fallen. Although not the steepest run on Tucker, its shape and unique design makes it a fun experience. Just try to hit it by yourself or else risk it being too crowded.

 

Other Articles From Exploring the Rockies’ Guide to Copper Mountain

• Copper Guide Home
• Copper’s Best Kids Runs
• Copper’s Best Steep Runs
• Copper’s Best Tree Runs
• Copper’s Best Cruiser Runs
• Copper’s Best Mogul Runs
• Copper’s Best 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.