Winter Park vs. Copper Mountain (for beginners)

[Mike Weber]

Another vote for Copper here. My daughter started skiing there a week after her 2nd birthday. The topography of the mountain naturally separates the beginners from the intermediates and the experts.

That being said, I learned at Keystone and liked that mountain for a beginner. You do not want to start at River Run, however, because of the intermediate run to the bottom. The Mountain House base area is better for beginners.

Neither village is particularly exciting to me. Like mentioned above, Breck has the best night life.

VRBO is your friend

[gooberlx]

From a skiing perspective, I think Winter Park (staying clear of the Mary Jane side) is the better mountain for a beginner skier. Longer, flatter, more relaxed runs than Copper. I consider WP's blues to be more green.

[breaksraver13]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

I have never liked Copper Mountain. If you are going to Summit county I reccomand Keystone.

While I like Keystone.......I wouldn't recommend it to "beginners", Keystone's green runs are like blue runs at Breck.............Breck is FLAT at the bottom of the mountain, I think it's the best for beginners

also I forgot to add that if you stay in Summit.........you can get one single ticket and use it at a couple of resorts.........ex - start the day at Breck and finish off the day night skiing at Keystone all on the same day ticket

[yelnoc53]

Keystone is great for beginners, We stay at the Village at River Run. Gondola and Lift are within 200yds of most of the condos there.

Lots of restaurants in the village and if you don't want to rent a car. There are free shuttles that go to other ski areas. Breck, Copper, Vail and A Basin.

If you rent a car, Breck is only 20min away, A basin 10 min away and Copper is only 40min.

I would suggest lessons at Keystone, ski there a couple of days, Definitely make it out to Copper one day as they have some great, Green, Beginner runs at the top of the mountain with amazing views. Great deal there also as it is not a Vail resort and its very laid back and NOT CROWDED.

Breck is gorgeous but overrated as a Ski area. Too Crowded and greens are usually a mess as they are. But worth going to for a day. Town of Breck is AWESOME though. Lifts at the bottom are very crowded and slow, unless you go to peak 10.