Industry News
New 25,000-square-foot, mid-mountain lodge, the Aerie to open for 2023-24 season
Major capital projects also include a new childcare facility, buses, snowmaking installations, snowcats, hiking, mountain bike, and ski trail upgrades, and resort infrastructure enhancements
2023-24 Season passes, Four Packs, and more are on-sale at the best rate through May 9
Guests have plenty to look forward to next winter as Copper Mountain announced today that several new upgrades are set to debut for the 2023-24 winter ski season. Combined, these upgrades make for the single largest resort investment in more than a decade, all of which will greatly enhance the guest experience.
Projects are taking place both on and off the mountain, with the largest being the opening of the new mid-mountain lodge, the Aerie, set to transform the dining experience at Copper Mountain. Other improvements happening on the slopes include new mountain bike and hiking trails, ski trail upgrades, snowmaking installations, and new snowcats. In Copper’s Center Village, a new childcare facility will open for employees and community members, along with heated sidewalk upgrades. Other updates include the addition of two new buses to the resort’s COBUS fleet, expanding the Far East parking lot, and the installation of additional EV charging stations in lots around the resort.
Copper works closely with the United States Forest Service on all projects located in the White River National Forest. From planning and environmental analysis to implementation and construction, this important partnership helps inform the scope and scale of projects and ensure the best possible experience for guests.
The Aerie
Copper is heightening its on-mountain dining experiences with the addition of a new lodge, the Aerie. Located at the top of the American Eagle lift, the Aerie will consist of a 25,000-square-foot, two-story building, and the gondola will unload on the second-floor deck, which will allow for a seamless transition for all guests, including those arriving by foot. For the first time at Copper, the new lodge will offer a full-service on-mountain restaurant, “Forage and Feast,” featuring unique Colorado cuisine. Guests will be able to enjoy an elevated dining experience during both the summer and winter months. With a full-service restaurant, bar, and lounge, a private dining area for events, a cafeteria, and 270-degree views of the Gore and Ten Mile Ranges, this project will take Copper’s on-mountain dining to the next level and continue to improve the year-round mountain experience at the resort.
Summer Recreation Upgrades – Hike, Bike, and Golf
Copper Mountain is continuing its improvement of summer recreation opportunities with updates to its mountain bike trails, hiking trails, and golf course. Construction will continue this summer on its multi-year project bringing an anticipated 22 miles of new mountain biking trails to the resort. The trails are designed to increase flow and appeal to a variety of rider abilities. This summer, the resort plans to complete two continuous gravity flow trails down the mountain. The upper section of trail construction will work to establish a connection from the top of the American Eagle Lift to the top of the Woodward Express Lift. The lower section of trail construction will extend a previously established trail, Gopher-It, down from the top of Woodward Express.
Upgrades will continue on a new hiking trail that will be located above the top of the American Eagle Lift and the Aerie. Once completed, the trail will offer a full hiking loop for guests to enjoy. Down in the Village, the Copper Creek Golf Course will expand its current 9-hole course to 14-holes this summer, offering more time on links and additional jaw-dropping views. The resort plans to round out the course with a full 18 holes during the 2024 summer season.
New Snowmaking, Snow Cats, and Trail Improvements
Snowmaking enhancements will be conducted around the mountain to help deliver a higher-quality snow surface in the early season. The project includes upgrades and replacements to existing snowmaking infrastructure, including new automated tower snow guns in the resort’s Central Park terrain park area and new installations on the west side of the mountain. The new installations will further enhance its western territory, focusing on trails like Soliloquy, allowing the resort to open that area of the mountain earlier in the season. The resort is also welcoming five new snowcats to its fleet, which will allow the resort to better maintain its groomed terrain. Ski trails will also see improvements, with several trail upgrades taking place this summer, including the widening of the upper Carefree trail, enhancements to the Lower Enchanted traverse, and glading near Lyman Lane.
Parking Lot Infrastructure and New Buses
Copper’s parking lots and transportation fleet are also receiving upgrades. To allow for smoother traffic flow in and out of the resort, Copper is expanding its Far East lot. During the project, minor reroutes of the Colorado trail will be required, and with that, the resort will be conducting improvements and realignment to parts of the Colorado Trail to benefit users. The resort will welcome two new buses to its COBUS fleet, increasing the frequency and quality of transportation between its parking lots and villages and getting guests onto the mountain quicker. The resort will be installing 30 new EV charging stations in its Alpine Lot and Tesla superchargers at the Conoco service station in support of the resort’s Play Forever initiatives.
Village Upgrades
A new childcare facility is set to open during the 2023 winter season for Copper community members and employees. This major development has been led by Copper Mountain Resort Association (CMRA) and will help serve a critical need in the community, providing more than 45 childcare spots for those who live and work within Copper Mountain Resort. The new facility will be located within Snowbridge Square in Copper’s Center Village. The proposed building will offer designated areas for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. The areas are designed appropriately to keep group sizes small, maximizing the care for each child. There are plans to incorporate a 1,800-square-foot outdoor area and other essential amenities like a full-service kitchen offering breakfast and lunch for children, a washer and dryer, a state-of-the-art security system, and a check-in station. This summer, Copper Mountain will also expand its snowmelt system up to Ten Mile Circle on both sides of Mountain Plaza. This heated sidewalk expansion will allow for more efficient maintenance and easier travel for guests during the winter months.
New Lifts on the Horizon
Copper Mountain continues to look ahead at improving the on-mountain skiing and riding experience on the west side of the mountain with lift upgrades. The resort has received approval from the Forest Service to replace both the Timberline and Lumberjack lifts. Lift upgrades will not begin earlier than the summer of 2024. The resort has been in discussion with Leitner Poma and Doppelmayr for partnership on the project, and more details will be shared at a later date.
Copper Mountain Season Pass
Season passes for the 2023-24 winter season are now on sale. The 2023-24 season pass offering includes Copper Mountain Season Pass with Kids Ski Free, Four Pack plus Bonus Day, Fast Tracks Season Pass, plus a new Four Pack Fast Tracks pass offering for skiers and riders that want to maximize their day on the mountain. A Fast Tracks Four Pack can be paired with a Copper season pass, Copper Four Pack, Ikon season pass, and Session pass. Additionally, Fast Tracks daily upgrades will be available for the 2023-24 season and on sale for all lift ticket holders and pass holders.
A Copper Mountain Season Pass includes added benefits such as unlimited scenic chairlift rides during summer 2023, discounted friends & family lift tickets, savings on dining, retail, and rentals, and three free days of skiing and riding at Monarch Mountain. Skiers and riders can secure the best pricing on 2023-24 season passes and receive a Bonus Day with their Four Pack, and Four Pack Fast Tracks pass through May 9. To learn more about Copper Mountain’s 2023-24 pass products, visit CopperColorado.com.
