Industry News
Copper Mountain, Colorado, has received approval from the White River National Forest (WRNF) to move forward with an ambitious expansion and upgrade plan to expand terrain and modernize its lift system. This master plan aims to improve mountain circulation, expand access to high-alpine terrain, and elevate the overall guest experience.
Copper Mountain’s Bold Expansion Plan
On February 27, WRNF officially approved Copper Mountain’s master plan to expand its skiable terrain by 14%. The master plan adds over 500 acres, bringing the total skiable area at Copper from 3,641 acres to 4,154 acres. This would make the resort the second largest in Colorado behind Vail. Additionally, the plan proposes eight lift upgrades and six brand-new lifts, including what would become the highest chairlift in North America. The plan also includes significant snowmaking improvements, new parking, restaurants and maintenance facilities.
The goal of this expansion is to increase out-of-base lift capacity, enhance skier distribution across the mountain, and improve overall resort operations. With these upgrades, Copper’s comfortable carrying capacity would rise from 11,870 to 15,360 skiers per day. While the expansion won’t reduce traffic on I-70 or ease parking congestion, it aims to alleviate crowding on the slopes by better dispersing visitors across the resort’s terrain.
- Related: Colorado’s “I-70 Problem”
Game-Changing Lift Upgrades
Several lift upgrades are already approved and awaiting implementation. These include replacing the 43-year-old Lumberjack triple chair on the far west side with a high-speed six-person lift and extending the Alpine Lift on the east side to access additional terrain. Other planned lift upgrades include improvements to Super Bee, Excelerator, Mountain Chief, Blackjack, and Rendezvous.
The most exciting addition is the Jaques East lift, a 5,900-foot detachable quad that would access the Tucker Gulch drainage and top out at 13,150 feet, making it the highest lift in North America. It would be higher than Breckenridge Resort’s Imperial Express that currently tops out at 12,840 feet. Jaques East would provide access to intermediate and advanced terrain while minimizing environmental impact by staying above the tree line. To complement Jaques East, a shorter triple chair called Thunderbird would be installed between Tucker Mountain and Jaques Peak, providing additional access to advanced terrain and facilitating egress from Tucker Gulch back toward the resort’s base.
Additionally, Copper Mountain plans to introduce a Union Meadows high-speed quad, loading near the Timberline Express lift and unloading at the top of Union Meadows to connect with Jaques East. Other notable new lifts include:
- Sail Away Express: A four-person lift providing access to Sail Away Glades, helping to relieve crowd pressure on the American Flyer and American Eagle lifts.
- Superpipe Surface Lift: A dedicated 825 foot long platter lift for athletes training and competing on Copper’s renowned superpipe.
- Terrain Park Lift: A fixed-grip chairlift to enhance access to Copper’s terrain parks.
High-Alpine Terrain Expansion & Future Growth
The Tucker Gulch expansion will add 513 acres of intermediate and advanced terrain, emphasizing high-alpine skiing with breathtaking views and wind-sheltered slopes. This expansion, along with improved lift access, will provide skiers and riders with more options to explore the resort’s expansive terrain.
Copper’s Special Use Permit (SUP) area spans 7,343 acres, meaning that even after this expansion, there remains over 3,000 acres for further development. The resort’s long-term vision includes capitalizing on this terrain to accommodate growing demand and enhance the overall skiing experience.
Financial Outlook
In August 2024, Copper’s parent company, POWDR Corp., sold Killington Resort and announced pending sales of Mt. Bachelor, SilverStar, and Eldora. If proceeds from these sales are reinvested into Copper Mountain, the resort could see accelerated implementation of its ambitious expansion plan.
Looking Ahead
While the master plan is approved, individual projects will still require additional review and implementation over time. As one of the most ambitious expansion efforts in Colorado, Copper Mountain’s plans promise to enhance the resort’s terrain variety, lift infrastructure, and overall skier experience in the coming years. With these ambitious projects in motion, Copper Mountain is on track to become one of North America’s premier ski destinations, offering more high-alpine terrain, improved accessibility, and an enhanced guest experience.
