Grossly Overpriced Early Season Experience

Submitted by: SkiKing from Milwaukee, WI on 12/17/09

My visit of Sunday, November 29, 2009 was certainly not the Copper Mountain that I remembered from the mid to late 90’s. $20 weekend parking, unless you wish to take the Alpine Lot shuttle at the perimeter of the complex. While the sun shined and temps held in the 30’s, surfaces were little more than inclined ice skating rinks with enough impenetrable formica to make an Easterner smile. While the early season conditions were predictable, what was unconscionable was the $75 early season lift ticket to access about 15% of the area’s total terrain and a handful of lifts. Yes, snowmaking is expensive and yes, high speed quads are expensive to operate, but what the hell ever happened to the Thanksgiving weekend promotions that were rampant in the 80’s and 90’s – Summit County ski area competition? Oh, yes, that was before Intrawest became the landlord, and along with ownership of Winter Park and Steamboat, they helped eradicate a chunk of the former healthy competition. Even armed with a Copper 4 Pass, which was mysteriously increased by nearly 50% in price from $119 to $169 in the span of a week in late November – and without warning, today’s experience was quite simply, grossly overpriced. A good market value for the clawing and scratching on a handful of Green and Blue runs – would be a Loveland Pass holder’s early season price of $35. It had been over 8 years since last skiing Colorado, and given the unpleasant discoveries of this trip another 8 years may be too soon. Early season skiing in the Colorado Rockies has always been a risky proposition, but back in the day, the sub par product was priced accordingly. Nowadays, you better supply your own personal lubricant to ease the financial pain of the ream job you will take at the hands of the corporate mogrels who too frequently define and own modern big mountain skiing. When the season is in full swing and 100% of Copper Mountain is open and all lifts are operating, the nearly $90+ lift ticket price might provide and experience that is worth that heady rate. But, early in the season, with thin cover, limited terrain, and mostly glacial hardpack conditions, a mere 20% lift ticket discount is an insult to those who are willing to sacrifice base and edge to the sketchy conditions. Like any good consumer, I will choose to vote with my wallet, and after today’s experience, the biggest crowbar on Earth is not going to pry mine open again for the well below standard product that Intrawest has chosen to serve up at premium prices to tourons and locals alike.

More resort reviews for Copper Mountain Ski Resort