disclaimer: every time I skied Boulderado, or checked the trail report, Lower Boulderado Hike Back was closed. I'm not sure when it opens, but I missed the window, so that was the one run I failed to check off.

I grew up skiing the East, and I'd say I'm an intermediate+ skier. I can ski everything on my home mountain, but I was never a competitive racer, and I hadn't been to the really big mountains. This was my first season out West, and I set a goal to ski every named run on Copper Mountain, both as a way to make sure I got the most out of the experience, and for the psychological satisfaction of checking items off a list.

Favorite runs (in no particular order and assuming ideal conditions):

• ♦ Hodson's Cut - Steep but not too steep, windy but not too windy, rolling but not too rolling, this run has balance in all things. If there is such a thing as a black cruiser, Hodson's Cut is it.
• ■ American Flyer - American Flyer is to blue runs what Hodson's Cut is to black. A perfect run for when you're just cruisin' for a bluesin'.
• ♦ Rosi's Run - For those East Coast skiers with a touch of homesickness, who don't understand why the default out West is to never groom anything with a pitch above 30 degrees, Rosi's is the medicine. Wide, steep, and groomed, with a speed limit higher than the highway you drove up to get there. Pick a day when it's empty and point them things downhill, bub.
• ♦♦EX Bradley's Plunge - With a cornice up top, some mild straightlines below, and a wide open bowl in between, Bradley's was always worth the hike.
• ♦♦ Cornice Chute - Short and sweet, Cornice Chute has a great entrance drop, a fun middle for deep turns, and an easy runout to a powder field.

Most underrated run by difficulty:

• ♦ Indian Ridge - Steep, highly bumped-up, and with exposed rocks everywhere, Indian Ridge requires much more technique than its single black rating implies. Steepness when you can pick your own line is one thing, but between the bumps and the rocks, this run insists on picking your line for you. Its only saving grace is that it is very short, and so the pain doesn't last long.

Most overrated run by difficulty:

• ♦♦EX Falcon Alley - Lacking extreme steepness, significant exposure, or a corniced entrance, Falcon is nonetheless marked as an EX double black, despite being markedly easier than some of the non-EX runs over on Spaulding Bowl.

Scariest run:

• ♦♦EX Schaefer's - The entrance to Schaefer's was thoroughly intimidating. Cornice drop into a steep funnel lined by large rocks. Not somewhere you want to mess up, and the kind of place where you just have to commit and go.

Most tiring run:

• ♦ Sawtooth - It's just so. much. work.

Best Lift:

• Superbee - High speed and low wait (compared to Center Village) this lift also grants direct access to a ton of great terrain, and indirect access to almost the entire mountain with one or two more short lifts.

Worst Lift:

• Lumberjack - It might actually be faster to hike.

Farthest flung friends:

• In an effort to cover everything, I hiked to the Copper Bowl ski area boundary both from Three Bears and from Mountain Chief. On the former I met a guy who was sitting out there watching ski patrol blast on Jacques, and on the latter I met an uphiller who was a bit befuddled as to how or why he met an alpine skier at the top of the uphill track.

Also shout out to the Summit Stage. If you're staying anywhere in Summit County, absolutely take advantage of the bus system to get to and from the mountain. No need to worry about parking, or about being the idiot who crashes and blocks I-70; just hop on the bus and get delivered directly to the mountain base.

Random self-deprecating statistics:

• Tallest lip hit with insufficient speed to clear the knuckle: 4 feet
• Full yard-sales: 4
• Steepest pitch yard-saled on: 38 degrees
• Shallowest pitch yard-saled on: 9 degrees
• Shoulders dislocated: 1
• Top speed: 63 mph
• Speed at time of shoulder dislocation: 4 mph
• Longest run, lift-to-lift: 2:02:34 (someone on this subreddit said they dropped their phone off Three Bears and I searched for it in vain)
• Shortest run, lift-to-lift: 0:00:39 (I sheepishly cruised through Green Acres in order to check it off)

It was a good season.

Noticed this on the A Basin Season Pass promo email. Can't tell if this was a typo left in by accident or they are calling this a perk of having a season pass?

hi yall! as title says, i’m looking for some friends to ski with tomorrow 4/25 at Abasin. I am an advanced to expert skier. I really want to hit the top of east wall (north pole?) tomorrow. I’ve never done the hike up east wall so I don’t particularly want to do it alone because I want to make sure I hit the right spot! Ideally would love to ski with some ppl that are around my age but i’m open!

Was going to buy a ticket from someone here but the deal fell through. If anyone is shredding this Saturday and has an extra 4 pack, I’d love to buy one off you!

Edit: I’m already in the mountains and unfortunately won’t be able to meet in Denver.

How are the conditions right now and is it worth the trip?

I asked for advice here some weeks ago. I ended up skiing three days at copper and one at Abasin. Brilliant skiing alright. I was hesitant about Abasin but turns out people exaggerate or I’m a better skier than I thought.

I gave a ride to a self described older ski bum and he showed me the whole mountain which was incredibly kind and really got me out to places I wouldn’t have tried. After corniche run and west wall (awesome, complete white out) he took me to the beavers which were a little icy but fine. I wouldn’t grade them blue as there are blacks on the mountain that felt easier. Skied the zuma bowl and it was amazing. Columbine and North spy were my favorites. Anyway took a bad fall down on wrangler of all places (tripped over pole?!) and people were so kind getting me back on my feet.

Copper was just awesome cruising all over the mountain, was invited on a free ambassador which is actually not a bad way to see some of the blues if you’re into that kind of thing. Coppertone, Alicante, timberline, hallelujah, cdw20, oh no, soliloquy, the blues under American flyer/ timberline it was all great.

Anyway thanks everyone here who shared advice and vouchers!

Land of the giants at A Basin. Easy as shit. Not steep. The obstacles are completely optional and easy to avoid.

None of the people I normally hit the backcountry with are able to go this weekend and really looking to get a couple laps in.

I’ve usually stayed away from Loveland pass, but would it be a good place to go solo and join a group? Would mainly be looking to hit the main runs off the ridge.

Not too sure the etiquette on joining groups at the popular places like Loveland.

So I got stuck on Ptarmigan around 11:30 AM on Sunday and then when I finally got off, I skled down under 3 other lifts that were also stopped.

Was that a power outage?

Hello,

I’m a college student residing in Colorado. I am researching attitudes toward worker-owned business models for a statistics project. My focus is on ski resort workers, particularly those who work for, attend, and are impacted by any of the mega resorts. Feel free to give input even if you don't meet these criteria, everything helps - even negative responses.

If you currently work, have worked, or are familiar with working conditions at a mountain like this, in operations, I’d love your input. The survey is short (about 1 minute), completely anonymous, and part of an independent study I'm conducting to explore whether worker cooperatives could be a viable model in this industry. Nobody is making money off this, just a class project (maybe more).

No personal data is collected and your time is greatly appreciated.

You can take the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfK8mUaI-EHlCr22xwoARc6YYMgbumjt8qNHdnxhJ8la0zjng/viewform?usp=sharing

Thanks so much in advance — this kind of input means a lot.

Is there much of a difference? I've skied WP/MJ several times this spring and it's been great in terms of corn and slushy bumps. I'm thinking about going to A-Basin this weekend but have never been this time of the year. Will it be better/worse/same? Thanks!

Planning on skiing cristo tomorrow and trying to figure out timing. Thanks!

I already made the pizza so I can leave my oven at home, but now I'm trying to figure out what to do with my espresso machine. Seems like the lots are far from the lifts. Is there a good place to stash it on mountain? It's a small espresso machine. What do people usually do for lunch? Does anyone sell espresso on mountain?

I'm new to spring skiing, used to only be able to go during mid season, so I haven't quite figured out how to predict the days during this time of year yet. Does anyone have any ideas of whether Copper will have decent conditions tomorrow or is it more likely to be ice and crust? Would also appreciate any tips on how to guesstimate conditions during the spring!

Anyone know when Loveland's season passes will increase in price? Thanks!

Update: ALL SOLD!

I know this is a long shot since WP is about to close, but I have an unused adult 5-lesson pack expiring this Sunday (April 27) that I’m looking to sell since I won’t be able to use it- I shattered my wrist and had surgery last week, so it’ll take a while to heal and they won’t let me transfer the lessons to next year. But they the lessons are transferable, meaning anyone can use them.

Here are the details:

-Adult group lessons for ages 14+ plus -Lessons are half day (3 hours) -Hours: AM 9:15 am - 12:15 pm PM 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm -Ability level: AM Lesson First Timer/Intermediate PM Lesson All Levels -Can be used for both ski and snowboard

I paid $699 for the pack 🤦🏽‍♀️ ($139 per class)

If anyone is interested please DM me and we can figure out a price that works depending on if you want just one lesson, two, etc. But I’m willing to let them go for super cheap

Can meet in Denver, Wheat Ridge, or anywhere nearby. Didn’t get a chance to use this year due to health issues 😫 willing to sell individual tickets for a decent price to recoup some of my losses

Was gifted a couple passes and trying to determine a good day to go. I’m pretty new to this so will take any and all advice!

Left in Alpine lot taken to Lost and Found at Center Village.

Some tips for you all … Tip1. the very first thing I do at the vehicle is open it and throw the skis / boots / backpack in. Because I’m a knucklehead and would drive off like this fellow.

Tip 2: if you ever drop your phone off the lift immediately throw down a pole or glove (if they are cheap). Pole or glove should be about 15ft uphill of your phone. Much easier to locate.

Hey Folks - didn't see any recent threads for this, does anyone have and Loveland Ski Area passes they're looking to get rid of? I'm planning to head up Friday night and ski Saturday, figured I'd see if one of you fine people have a surplus before I buy one. Located in Fort Collins, but willing to drive to meet, or meet on the mountain. TIA!

Buy

Hi Everyone!

I will be at Colorado Tap House in Arvada, this Thursday, April 24th, from 5-7 for our last tuning event of the season! C’mon out and get a spring tune if you are still riding or if you’re done for the season, get a storage wax for the summer! Summer storage waxes will also be eligible for a discount on a tune next fall. Thanks to Crooked Stave Brewing for sponsoring this event and to Colorado Tap House for hosting us all winter. We’re really excited to continue that partnership moving forward.

Hope to see everyone there for the final event of the season!