Powder shots from opening day at Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain public relations director Stephanie Sweeney (facing video camera) gives an interview at the base of American Eagle lift shortly after the first chair left the base at 9 a.m. on Nov. 11.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |Copper Mountain opened with 7 inches of fresh snow on Nov. 11 after announcing two date changes earlier in the month. To coincide with Veteran's Day, the resort offered free tickets to all retired or active duty military.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |A skier pushes through the thick stuff near the top of Rhapsody, one of two runs that Copper Mountain opened for first chair on Nov. 11. The resort saw several thousand skiers and snowboarders during the stormy day.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |Breckenridge local Evan Hannibal digs into the fresh stuff at Copper Mountain on opening day Nov. 11. The resort saw about 7 inches of snow overnight and more during the day after a dry spell postponed opening.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |Summer to winter: Skiers walk past the USA Pro Challenge bike rack in Center Village at Copper Mountain on opening day Nov. 11.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |Copper Mountain received 7 inches overnight before opening day on Nov. 11. The snow didn't stop during the day, bringing another two to three inches for several thousand skiers and snowboarders.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |Breckenridge local Evan Hannibal cruises down the middle section of Main Vein on opening day at Copper Mountain Nov. 11. Skiers and snowboarders were greeted by 7 inches of fresh snow from a fast-moving storm.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |A skier makes rare early-season powder turns on Main Vein at Copper Mountain for opening day. After delaying the opener by a week, the resort saw 14 inches of snow in several days and another 7 overnight before first chair.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |A ski patroller watches skiers and snowboarders enjoy first turns on opening day at Copper Mountain Nov. 11.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |The sun emerged around noon on Copper Mountain opening day after an overnight storm dumped 7 inches (and counting) for first chair on American Eagle.
Phil Lindeman / plindeman@summitdaily.com |
Opening Day by the numbers
Original opening day: Nov. 6
Rescheduled opening day: Nov. 13
2nd rescheduled opening day: Nov. 11
Snowfall since Nov. 6: 14-plus inches
Snowfall overnight: 7 inches
Snowfall on opening day: 2-3 inches
Open Runs: 2 (Rhapsody and Main Vein)
Open lifts: 1 (American Eagle)
Vertical feet of terrain: 1,900
Free donuts: 400
Free cups of cocoa: 400-plus
Terrain park features: 3
When Copper Mountain postponed opening day by a week, it was enough to make faithful skiers, snowboarders and nearly a dozen visiting ski teams nervous about the season to come. But Mother Nature intervened, bringing 14 inches of snow in less than a week and another 7 inches the night before first chair. You know what that means: Powder Day.
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