Located to the west of Denver and east of Vail, Summit County’s Copper Mountain is a self-contained resort with a perfectly organised mountain offering slopes for all ages and abilities. The well-designed ski area assigns separate parts of the mountain for different levels of skiers and snowboarders, and provides easy access between the pistes.

The purpose-built, car-free village of Copper Mountain, located at an astounding 3,000m above sea level and offering unbeatable views and sunshine, is the base resort. Services and amenities are extensive, with a range of rental shops and boutiques, a ski school, and comprehensive childcare facilities.

Copper Mountain has 4,000 beds in hotels, condos and homes, just steps from the slopes. Off-slope activities include ice-skating, sleigh riding, swimming and golfing at America's highest golf course; while restaurants are non-gourmet and consist mainly of grill-houses and fast-food eateries. The nightlife is fairly vibrant, boasting numerous bars and live music.

There are 125 runs at Copper Mountain; they are well segregated, with beginner slopes to the right, intermediate trails down the centre, and advanced runs dropping off to the left. Twenty-three lifts, with an hourly capacity for over 32,000 people, provide access to the slopes, the longest of which is 4.5kms. Snowboarders also have the challenging terrain parks.

For alternative skiing and snowboarding, there are another three quality resorts in Summit County, linked by a free transit system. Breckenridge is spread over four mountains and is one of the most popular ski resorts in the US, while Arapahoe Basin is known for its incredible steeps, and Keystone is famed for its night skiing.

Copper Mountain’s ski season runs from November to mid-April, and prices are reduced early and later on in the season. Children under six and seniors over 69 years ski for free Monday through Thursday. The easiest way to get to Copper Mountain resort is to fly to Denver or Eagle airports and transfer by express shuttle bus.