Ski Touring near Copper Mountain, CO

Copper Mountain is well known as one of the best resorts in Colorado for expert terrain, and for freeride lines that feel really out there, so you can’t go wrong skiing in bounds. If you want to get away from people though, or simply save yourself the price of a lift ticket, head into the nearby backcountry.

The SKY Chutes are the quintessential Copper ski tour lines, named because they resemble the letters S-K-Y. They come off Peak 5 of the Tenmile Range, so you could get there from Breckenridge, but the Copper side is better because they come right down to the road outside the resort. Look up from anywhere at the base area and you can’t miss them.

Then there is the expansive backcountry on the other side of Copper, with no easy access. Leaving the resort just anywhere isn’t allowed, so mind the rules. The best way to ski there is to basecamp at Janet’s Cabin, a couple ridges over from the resort. With a reservation at this hut, you can ride two lifts at Copper to aid in the approach, then quickly leave the resort bustle for a world all your own in a backcountry basin.