Industry News
Copper Mountain Resort wants to expand its snowmaking operations by 86 acres, while also expanding its summertime offerings with miles of new mountain biking, e-bike, and hiking trails. The resort is applying for the proposed project through the U.S. Forest Service. If the plan is approved, the resort anticipates commencing construction as early as this coming spring or summer, reports Summit Daily.
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The White River National Forest, led by forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams, is currently preparing an environmental assessment through the next month for Copper’s proposed project and is seeking comments and feedback from the public.
“The snowmaking component of the project would ensure timely opening of the resort as well as adequate snow coverage on all trails where snowmaking infrastructure is installed,” Fitzwilliams said in a scoping notice announcing the proposed projects.
The 86 acres of snowmaking expansion would all be on the front side of Copper’s skiing and riding terrain and in six watersheds: Formidable Basin, Loverly Basin, Roundabout Basin, Union Gulch, West Tenmile Creek and Wheeler Creek.
For the summer, Copper wants to build out its existing mountain biking trail network by 24-miles, including a mile of e-mountain biking trails, and also expand its existing hiking trail network by 14-miles. Copper’s proposed summer programming additions would also center around overnight camping at the resort as well as an extension of Copper’s existing “A-1” mountain access road by approximately 370 feet to provide access to a parcel known as “Olie Lind.” Copper anticipates the area could accommodate approximately 30-50 guests at a time, two to three nights per week.
Copper Mountain is just 1 of 37 iconic destinations available on the Ikon Pass.
