Recently hailed as one of Ski Magazine‘s Top 30 Best Ski Resorts in the West in 2014, Copper Mountain is in the midst of an exciting 41st season. Still need a little motivation to check it out? Here are my top 10 reasons to love Copper Mountain!

1. First halfpipe in North America!

Park rats and pipe enthusiasts will be sure to feel the love from Copper’s exceptional crew with the 22-foot Main Vein Superpipe that gets up and running long before some Colorado resorts are even open for the season.

2. Woodward at Copper

Woodward at Copper is a year round ski and snowboard training facility at the base of the resort aimed at helping individuals progress their skills in the park and pipe. Located in a 19,400 square foot “barn,” the indoor playground provides artificial Snowflex jumps into foam pits, as well as jib lines, skate bowls, mini ramps, spring floor, tumble trak, spotting belts, and Olympic fly-bed trampolines. In addition to winter and summer programs, they offer a plethora of daily sessions to suit your needs. Their website boasts, “Only here can you take skills that you learn and perfect inside the barn onto the mountain all in the very same day- or hour!” Call 888-350-1544 to reserve a spot!

3. Free Snowcat access

Yes, you read it right. Copper offers free first-come first-served snowcat access to Tucker Mountain on 10am-1:30pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Closes at 2pm. Just look for ski patrol’s green (good to go!) flags at all duty stations.

4. Naturally divided terrain

If you are a beginner and like sticking to green runs make your way to the westernmost edge of the resort. Looking to keep progressing? Head east and you will discover intermediate blue trails and expert black trails. See the 14/15 season trail map.

5. Bowls – big lines, bumps, and trees

Pick any of Copper’s four bowls to find steeper pitches, unrelenting moguls, deep pow, and fantastic tree skiing. See Copper Bowl, Union Bowl, Spaulding Bowl, and Resolution Bowl on the trail map. If the snow is good, check out Far East, Too Much, and Tripe Threat, three expert runs accessed by Alpine lift. They’ll be sure to get your heart pounding and warm you up on cold days.

6. Easy access to other Summit County towns and ski areas

Copper is an easy 6-mile drive west on I-70 from the town of Frisco. Explore the nearby towns of Silverthorne, Dillon, and Breckenridge for superior dining, shopping, and accommodations. Nearby ski areas include Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, Ski Cooper, and Vail.

7. World-class Competitions

For a second season, Copper hosted the first of three events for the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix, a World Cup Event, in early December. In this post-Olympic year, professional skiers and snowboarders from around the world competed in halfpipe, opening the 14-15 competition season. Follow the rest of the U.S. Grand Prix when it stops at Mammoth Mountain, California and Park City Mountain Resort, Utah in February 2015. Among other events, Copper also plays host to the Revolution Tour in mid-December and the USASA Nationals in March-April.

8. Alpine Rush Zip Line

The recent addition of a zip line at Copper’s base will provide an adrenaline rush for those taking a break from the slopes or an après-ski delight. Tickets are $10 per ride and can be purchased at the Guest Services desk in Copper Sports or from Sugar Lips, a nearby mini donut shop. Hours of operation: 10am-7pm Friday & Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday–Thursday.

9. Affordable season pass

Let’s be honest, skiing is expensive. Lucky for us, Copper offers many different season pass options to fit your personal preference and budget. Buy a four-day pass or Copper-only, or go bigger with a multi-mountain pass to include skiing at Winter Park/Mary Jane, Steamboat, and Eldora Mountain Resort. Buy your pass early and save big, see Ski Colorado for details.

For full information on Copper Mountain, head to coppercolorado.com.