Copper vs. Breckenridge: An Exhaustive Comparison

An in-depth comparison review of Copper and Breckenridge, two popular ski resorts in the Colorado Front Range west of Denver.
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0:00 Intro
0:50 Snow Quality
1:28 Reliability
2:24 Resort Size
3:45 Terrain Layout
4:46 Navigation Logistics
5:46 Beginner Terrain
6:32 Intermediate Terrain
7:28 Advanced Terrain
8:17 Expert Terrain
9:19 Terrain Parks
10:07 Snowboard Friendliness
10:31 Lifts
11:13 Crowd Flow
11:52 Weather and On-Mountain Facilities
12:45 Getting There
13:14 Parking
13:57 Lodging and Aprés-ski
15:04 Pass Affiliations
16:13 Ticket and Day Pass Pricing
16:56 Verdict
See our full resort breakdown and written review for Breckenridge here: www.peakrankings.com/content/...
See our full resort breakdown and written review for Copper here: www.peakrankings.com/content/...
See our full Colorado rankings: www.peakrankings.com/colorado...
See our full Rockies rankings: www.peakrankings.com/rockies-...

[@jacobbrassard2776]

There’s always new stuff to find at breck but copper you can really chill at your favorite area for a good chunk of the day and have a blast. Also you avoid the terrible chokepoints that brek has…

[@creekboi7]

Breck and Copper are cool but they both come with hassles. I spent most of my last pre/core/post season at A-Basin and Keystone. Can't wait for a few more months to pass!

[@landrywatson4136]

Very good comparison. Colorado locals tend to hate on Breck because it’s more of a tourist vacation spot. But if you have a group looking for things to do outside of skiing and a party scene then Breck is the winner. They both offer great skiing!

[@c-LAW]

I've never waited more than 10 minutes at a Copper lift, and that was during a holiday. Most times, there are no wait times for lifts at Copper.

[@JohnnyUtah13]

Never been to Breck. Went to Copper a few times last year. Early season was a madhouse with only the central base lifts open. When I went back later in the year it was AWESOME. Would 100 percent go back next year. Terrain for literally anything you want. Would love to hit up Breck at some point soon! (I have been skiing Monarch and Loveland the last couple years)

[@patrickjordan3769]

these videos are always the greatest...thank you PeakRankings

[@davidclymo7285]

Ski both, decide for yourselves.😊

[@will3057]

I think the main competition is ikon vs epic especially in Colorado with all of the mountain in the area

[@waltysalamander]

I'm going to Copper this December. I think I picked right. Breck seems like it has better steeps and double blacks (which I like), but Copper just seems like an overall better pick for me.

[@johnsmeith3913]

Cooper is unfortunately owned by the Powder group though, which is famous for neglecting its resorts, including copper, and running them into the ground. Coppers lift infrastructure is mainly old fixed grips, and it’s obvious that it’s owned by Powder, and not Vail, which at least reinvests its profits into its resorts

[@waltysalamander]

@@johnsmeith3913 I actually love old fixed grip lifts. I’m a bit of a ski lift nerd (my second most visited website is Liftblog) so that’s actually a positive for me.

[@choski76]

Why?

[@waltysalamander]

@@choski76 Fewer lines I guess. I don’t know if there was that much of a difference, but the lines were very manageable when I went.

[@robnevitt7593]

As a Front Range day skier, Winter Park ski coach, and 80 day a year skier ... there is absolutely no doubt that more locals prefer Copper. Breck has a massive draw for lower ski ability tourists as the tourist friendly town is what out of state visitors think they want. So, the mountain can get unfortunately dangerously crowded. That said, I have had some incredible days at Breck. Copper terrain is naturally segmented by ability level and if you know where you are going and can ski at a high level, it is possible to get away from the crowds.

[@coloradodogking]

slacker. in the Best Way ;) see ya up there bud

[@Dontreadthis0]

Honestly think the biggest difference is that breck is bigger and more crowded and has really bad chokepoints while copper is smaller and has really only 1 or 2 places that get crowded

[@asajayunknown6290]

Breck is for people who prioritize the apres. Or for those who visit on a weekday. Weekends at Breck are terribly crowded. The choke points are truly awful. Copper is almost exclusively about the skiing. And, it's very easy to get away, and stay away, from the crowds, even on a high season Saturday.

[@rambultruesdell3412]

Skied both, Copper is my favorite of the two. More consistent, Breckenridge goes, flat, intermediate, steep. Both good though 👍

[@paw2g]

I can't believe the new Lift Ticket prices everywhere.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

11:11 Anything that's served by the T-Bar can be reached by skiing down Alpine Alley from the top of Imperial.

[@willwright688]

Used to be a Breck guy but that mountain has just lost its soul since Vail Resorts really took over and changed things. Have switched to going to Copper and its a great mountain. I dont think the expert terrain is as challenging as Breck's but I love the natural insulation. If you are an expert and you go to Breck, my big pro-tip is lap E-Chair, especially on a powder day. You will never do the same run twice and it usually doesn't get as crowded since people prioritize the high-alpine experience. Breck is a fantastic town though, haven't been anywhere better

[@evanlazar91]

Everyone always says... "Insert Ski Resort sucks since Vail Resorts took it over". Did the terrain change? Did the lifts get downgraded? Does it snow less?

[@coloradodogking]

Steamboat wont ever challenge Breck. Not Now. Place us Disneyland and it sucks - 32 year local ready to leave

[@willwright688]

@@evanlazar91 "Did the terrain change." Yes it did, and it is mentioned in the video. They have significantly reduced the amount of park terrain. They used to have a mini-pipe on 9, they got rid of that years ago. You would regularly see pro-riders and skiers on 8 because of Freeway. Now that park is a joke compared to what it used to be. I get park skiing isnt for everyone but it has changed the vibe of the mountain significantly. I have skied Breck my whole life, it isn't some hot take that it has changed since Vail took full control. Not to mention, most of my comment wasn't about that.

[@eriksahlin7104]

Hi @peakrankings I have some cool ideas for future comparisons: Park City vs. Deer Valley Solitude vs. Brighton Telluride vs. Steamboat Mammoth vs. Palisades Okemo vs. Killington Vail vs. Beaver Creek

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks for those - Mammoth vs. Palisades is coming next!

[@random_stuff_channel]

@@PeakRankings Great!

[@averagejojofan8649]

I prefer Breckenridge, but copper is rock solid

[@Speediturtle]

You should make a Washington vs Oregon video

[@RyanDeSutter3]

I have been to both equally and love there hardest runs, Breckenridge has much better learning terrain even though people don’t say it. And 60% of the time I’m in the trees what seems like miles from civilization so I love Breck, I would say Breck is better but why argue when as long as your having fun your are in the best plave

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

They probably don't like to say it because until Lift 7 was upgraded last year, the amount of green terrain reachable by high speed lifts was limited to that off of Quicksilver Super6. And I'll digress there is a bit of disconnect in the sense that the beginner areas of Peak 8 and Peak 9 do require navigating some blue trails to get between the two (going from Peak 9 to Peak 8, you'll have to use the Peak 8 SuperConnect and come down Springmeier to reach the Five SuperChair's pod).

[@RyanDeSutter3]

@@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102 yeahhhh, so go to the Snow White area

[@Felix-kd8tn]

Bit of a weird question; what are the overnight parking polices? Like a little sprinter camper van? Or are there any RV parks nearby?

[@PeakRankings]

You technically can't RV "camp" on-site at either mountain, but if you're staying at Copper, they'll let you park your RV on-site in certain lots. Same with some of the town lots at Breck.

[@jameszeng2666]

Totally agree with you, Copper is better than Breck ... especially after my last Breck trip ...

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

I really like Breck's base 9 for beginners but navigating between 8 and 9 as a beginner is very problematic. You basically have to choose where you plan to ski for the day or take lengthy transfers outside the resort. The biggest issue is getting from 9 to 8 on all greens, but 8 to 9 is doable. I also really love the Lower Four O'Clock ski-back trail vs taking the gondola back - but this is really only applicable if you do a Peak 8 day. There is still one section of that trail that is slightly beyond my skill level since half is a modestly step narrow cruiser and the other half often has bumps - it's hard to terrace that part with folks zooming by you. Base 9's learning area is a lot better than Base 8 as well - and there is a reasonable progression from the bunny (nearly flat), learning, and true green slopes on Base 9. Base 8 is a decent transition with harder greens, then back to 9 for easier blues. The bunny/learning area at Base 8 requires a long walk from the gondola. I've already bought an Epic pass for this coming season (Breck + Keystone) but I may do a day or so at Copper to try them out - mainly because I like the ability segregation concept. I'm hoping to upskill my ability to do blues with confidence by the end of the upcoming season.

[@PeakRankings]

Spot on!

[@rafaelalbertotorres8070]

From 9 to 8, take Peak 8 Superconnect (from green Lower Sundown), where you can take Springmeier down to the base of Peak 8. While the top few hundred meters of Springmeier are labeled "blue", it is very mellow terrain and also labeled as Slow Ski/Family Zone.

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

@@rafaelalbertotorres8070 I was looking at that, but I haven't skied any blues yet in Colorado. I'll ski down Springmeier from 5 Chair first and get a look up to the blue section. I was considering Cashier or Bonanza as a possible first blues, but I like the idea of shorter run in case it is a bit much.

[@rafaelalbertotorres8070]

@@JasonTaylor-po5xc If you can ski Cashier or Bonanza, you can definitely ski Springmeier.

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

@@rafaelalbertotorres8070 I'll try Springmeier first then. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549]

I think the two resorts should merge and form one Megaresort (like when Whistler and Blackcomb merged). Breck has a better village and apres, so Copper should just use their base facilities. Call it Coppenridge?

[@zacharygibson5780]

Crazy how close that actually are even tho it’s like a 45 min drive. Gonna need a huge gondola that starts in the copper overflow parking lot that goes to the top of peak 8!

[@cs9742]

Copper Mountain is the best!! Its Chill.

[@AandCPvP]

I love everything you said except navigation, copper you can literally get to any of the three bases, from one lift off any of those bases. its gotta be one of the easiest mountains to get around

[@gogreenmsu03]

How do you break ties when resorts have the same cumulative score?

[@PeakRankings]

We break ties by snow score. If the snow scores are the same, we break the ties by skiable acreage. Here's more info on the methodology: www.peakrankings.com/content/eliminating-ties-in-rankings

[@c-LAW]

Stay cheaper in Dillon, drive to Copper is 15 minutes and parking is free. Shuttles are available. Even better, Copper has easy drop-off areas. Copper has alwasy been cool to allow dropoff cars to wait in parking area. Also, Copper employees countless volunteers who many kinds of help including protein bars. Its not uncommon for coppper to have free hot chocolate on cold days at the mid mountount restauraunts.

[@darinsmith2458]

I renamed Breckenridge to Breaking Wind.. It seams like it is always windy at the top and often they close the top because of the wind..

[@darinsmith2458]

You are right about the different levels of skiers mixing in BRECK..

[@darinsmith2458]

LOTS of catwalks in BRECK..

[@darinsmith2458]

BRECK gets packed

[@darinsmith2458]

It can take awhile to get from the parking lots to the hill at BRECK..

[@darinsmith2458]

I would do the IKON if it were cheaper.. I do want to ski ABasin..

[@Thegrowerofthegreens]

I haven't skied summit county in about 10 years but I always preferred copper.

[@choski76]

Why?

[@Thegrowerofthegreens]

@@choski76 rock climbing accident left me with two fused ankles

[@choski76]

sorry to hear about your ankles. i was wondering why you preferred copper over breck we are heading to summit county@@Thegrowerofthegreens

[@Thegrowerofthegreens]

@@choski76 copper is unique in the way that their terrain levels are kind of grouped together where you don't end up with beginners getting stuck on harder trails and experts going fast on the easier ones scaring all the beginners. Most of the beginner terrain is out of the west village base area also called union Creek. A majority of the intermediate terrain is right in the middle of the resort using the central village base area. Most of the advanced terrain is either located off the east village lift (superbee), the back bowls or the above treeline areas. This keeps the different ability levels separated from each other which works better for every skill level. Copper used to have much smaller crowds but I think it's pretty much equal to breck and keystone nowadays when it comes to lift lines and parking. To be honest I've been recommending most people to Loveland lately. It's cheaper and less crowded but still has decent lifts and great terrain. It's base area (Loveland valley) is great for teaching beginners. You can get a lift ticket for just that base area much cheaper. It's handful of green runs, 2 chairs and a magic carpet are all most beginners will need.

[@choski76]

@TheGreenGrower618 that's an excellent summation. I've skied copper years ago and loved it, and it's lack of lift lines.

[@user-tn5vm9fr9f]

Brecks terrain blows Coppers out of the water. Breck is seriously underrated.

[@John-vp2jq]

For me, Breck doesn't hold a candle to Copper in terms of skiing quality. Breck feels like a beginner's mountain compared to Center Village and East Village Copper. Whereas blue squares at Copper can often feel steeper than usual, the black diamonds at Breck can be (especially at Peak 10) easier than a blue square! I am sure it gets more challenging the higher up you go, but as the video highlights, the above-treeline areas up at Breck are frequently closed down due to wind, fog or some other adverse conditions. The town of Breckenridge has much more character and better culture, so your choice will depend on what you want to get out of your ski experience. If you just want a reliably advanced, leg-burning skiing/riding experience and don't mind a somewhat manufactured-feeling set of base villages, Copper is your choice. If, however, you seek a more comprehensive ski "culture" experience and would not mind having to ski less challenging terrain, Breck is the better choice for you.

[@coloradodogking]

make a ( og) ski bum vs ( new ) gaper video please

[@thomasbernecky2078]

congratulations: you got a like for an in-depth review, and you weren't annoying. Breckenridge was too family oriented, full of beginner kids. Copper was much better and enjoyable skiing for adult skiers. Of course this was back in the last century?

[@hamsandwich1860]

Copper all day. Breck is way too crowded.

[@SeanOzz]

Coppers layout rides more like keystone then it does Breck.

[@samdickerson3925]

Copper sucks go to breck

[@dilbophagginz]

Translation: Go to Breck so I don't have to wait as long in the lift line

[@coloradodogking]

the middle class killed the ski bum