Copper Mountain offers a great array of terrain for snowriders. With the bunny hill safely tucked away at the northwest end of the park, Copper's claim to fame is its "naturally divided" terrain that segments its mountain(s) into different areas frequented by riders of different abilities. One of my favorite spots is located in the "saddle" between Copper Mountain proper and its neighbor, Union Peak. From this saddle, you can get to almost every lift on the Mountain with maybe two or three exceptions.
To the west of the saddle are Union Peak and Union Meadows on the front side of the mountain, and Copper Bowl on the back side. Union Peak offers a short but steep hike to a short black run down a wide-open face. Copper Bowl is a wide ridge of steeps, deeps and cliffs. Not for the acrophobic as you're staring down off of the top of one of Copper Bowl's snowy cornices. Copper Bowl also offers access to Tucker Mountain (a short but worthwhile hike to the mountain seen in the first picture above). Tucker is north-facing and not heavily traveled, so is usually good for a fresh line through deep snow. The third picture above looks down from the top of Copper Bowl.
Below the saddle on the south (back) side of the mountain is a great set of short black runs underneath the Blackjack lift. People often skip these runs in favor of the other lift on the back side of the mountain heading toward Copper Bowl. A perfect opportunity to run quick laps through what usually amounts to some very nice powder. Atop these runs is where the second picture above was taken.
Below the saddle on the front side of the mountain is a nice short tree set at the south end of the Lower Enchanted Forest, and a virtual playground of short, usually very powdery, green runs under the R lift.
All in all, great days over the past few weeks at this, one of my favorite places. Happy spring everyone!
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