In a recently published master plan looking ahead to the next decade, one of Colorado's most popular ski resorts envisions a new "bucket list experience."
That's how Copper Mountain Resort describes the potential of lift-served terrain on the east face of Jacque Peak.
The proposed expansion covers about 500 acres reaching above 13,000 feet — "among the highest lift-served terrain in North America, making it a 'bucket list' experience for many skiers and riders," reads the plan prepared for the U.S. Forest Service.
The vision for Jacque Peak East falls within Copper Mountain's special-use permit under the Forest Service. The plan paints a picture of "open bowls, steep couloirs and a rolling valley floor," with a traversable ridge connecting Jacque Peak to Copper Bowl.
Most of the acreage would cater to advanced and expert types, "but the area is also unique in that it is accessible for strong intermediate skiers," the plan notes. The area is largely above treeline — "well-suited to provide a breathtaking but accessible guest experience."
In the Tucker Gulch drainage, the terrain would be accessed via the new Jacque East and Thunderbird lifts.
The plan foresees the Jacque East detachable quad as the continent's highest chairlift, with its top terminal surpassing 13,000 feet. (Breckenridge now claims the highest, with its Imperial Express topping near 12,840 feet.)
The Thunderbird fixed-grip triple would be a supplement, offering the option to return from Tucker Gulch to Tucker Mountain and onward to the resort's base. Thunderbird is seen as "essential for egress from Tucker Gulch" while also affording laps on new lift-served, advanced terrain mapped on the south side of Tucker Mountain.
Those two new lifts are among six total proposed in the plan. Union Meadows Express is marked as "one of the most significant" — a detachable quad aimed at more efficient circulation, "transforming the Union Meadows experience" and unlocking trails seen as "significantly underutilized."
Another proposed lift is the Sail Away detachable quad. It's intended to thin crowds at Center Village and improve circulation from Union Peak to Copper Mountain.
Better circulation is the stated goal of eight lift upgrades, including Super Bee, which would become an eight-person lift with a mid-station. The Forest Service previously approved Timberline Express and Lumberjack Lift turning into six-person chairs; the same upgrade is sought for Excelerator Lift.
The ultimate goal of the 122-page plan: "to better accommodate visitation and position (the resort) to remain competitive in the Colorado mountain resort market."
The plan comes on the heels of Alterra Mountain Co. raising prices on the Ikon Pass (up to $1,329), which accesses Copper Mountain among other Colorado destinations. For the first time next season, Ikon will grant full access to Arapahoe Basin.
Under Copper Mountain Resort's proposed plan, daily "comfortable carrying capacity" is calculated at 17,860 guests. That's 4,920 more guests than previously calculated.
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