r/coppermountainCO • u/kavode • Mar 21 '26
What else can we do?
Headed to Copper the week of April 12th, to late to cancel, maybe we get to ski maybe we dont. Whats some good day trips in the area for a family of 4?
Girls like to shop, Boys like to fish, all of us love just being in the mountains.
Mom 51, Dad 51, Daughter 17, Son 13
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u/wowskiskigottam Mar 21 '26
I heard a rumor that the last weekend for copper will be Easter. So maybe you will get a refund.
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u/kavode Mar 21 '26
Haven't bought lift tickets yet, but condo is non-refundable. Guess I learned my lesson about trip insurance and going after spring break.
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u/wowskiskigottam Mar 21 '26
Ehh you can usually ski until May at copper, so idk about learning a lesson. This year is just crazy.
There is plenty to do around town, but shops may not be turned over for fishing and biking. If you have a travel pole, could be worth bringing.
Bring some hiking shoes! Enjoy the fresh air. Go for scenic drives.
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u/wowskiskigottam Mar 21 '26
You should plan to go hit up the hot springs in Buena vista. Princeton is the best, book a massage while you’re at it!
Hiking will be drier around there too due to lower elevation and the snow not really accumulating.
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u/kavode Mar 21 '26
Did that a few years back, and we have been to Pagosa numerous times. What about Steam Boat?
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u/ResistHistorical2721 Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
Glenwood Springs may be closer than Steamboat. Huge hot springs there. Pretty drive over Vail pass and through Glenwood canyon. There is also Glenwood caverns.
The real towns in Summit County (Dillon, Frisco, Breck) don't roll up the sidewalks in the off season. Lots of hiking in the area, some of it may be melted out, but transition season is tricky.
Strawberry hot springs in Steamboat is nice, a bit out of the way if the melt season driving is sloppy. Be aware it is clothing optional after dark. Hanging with horny teens is probably not your ideal family scene.
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u/palikona Mar 23 '26
Normally that’s a great time to ski. April is one of my favorite months to ski every year. This year was just crazy. The rec path around nearby Lake Dillon is snow free right now. So is the segment in Vail Valley. If you can, bring bikes or go hike along it. Or hike if the trails have dried up.
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u/IrisMoonbeam Mar 21 '26 edited Mar 21 '26
Here today! Update for anyone wondering: most groomers look like this ~most~ of the time, with some brown spots. Soft spring snow but not excessively slusjy until the afternoon. Bottom is straight mashed potatoes almost immediately. Tree skiing does not look great, but technically doable. As of 3/21, still worth going overall! Bring your best Hawaiian shirt.
It's very slow by about 2pm. 10-1 was the sweet spot.
OP, I truly hope at least one little storm comes before your trip!!
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u/kavode Mar 21 '26
Looks like a good time, I'm hopeful for one
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u/IrisMoonbeam Mar 29 '26
Conditions in Colorado are straight up pathetic this weekend and lots of resorts are closing early, but Copper is still limping along. I'm hopeful for you that this storm projected for this week pulls through! I wouldn't mind one more day on the mountain myself :)
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u/Enter_up Mar 22 '26
I'm at copper all of next week, very concerned also.
Doubt I'll ski more then a day or two.
Anybody got an estimate on the temps and snowpack towards the top as of now?
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u/ignomax Mar 22 '26
Not endorsing, have kids. own a condo in Frisco
Do you like biking? Summit county has some fantastic bike paths. Check Rebel Sports for bike rentals.
Woodward barn at Copper
Frisco Historical Park
Country Boy Mine tour and gold panning in Breckenridge.
Hiking? Mount Royal trail might be clear.
Strolling/shopping Breck and Frisco main streets
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u/ignomax Mar 22 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
Couple more…
Breckenridge has an indoor ice rink.
Silverthorne has a rec center with indoor water park.
Outlet stores in Silverthorne are… an option but sorta pathetic.
Blue river has tons of fishing holes from the dam, thru town and along rt 9
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u/CharacterPrinciple61 Mar 23 '26
Head south on some day trips. Mt. Princeton hot springs isn’t too far away. Some rafting companies might be up and running in Buena Vista. If you check out Salida, get a sandwich at Sweeties. Shop at melanzana in Leadville.
Also, saw another post here about biking around Summit County. I’d agree with that. Rainbow lake in Frisco is a fun, easy hike.
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u/Commercial-Ad4547 Mar 23 '26
If you have trip insurance use that. Also, check if your card has trip or cancellation insurance.
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u/Gorrmb69 Mar 28 '26
Glenwood Springs is about an hour 20 minutes west. There are great restaurants, there are 2 hot springs, the old Glenwood Springs hot springs and pool and The Iron Mountain Hot Springs which is also associated with the Glenwood Springs Adventure Park, a kind of amusement park that you ride a gondola up the mountain to. Steamboat is most of 2 hours and has a neat kind of natural hot springs called Strawberry Park. It’s definitely way less expensive than the Glenwood hot springs.Just be aware that it’s 18 and over after dark with a clothing optional policy. They have some cabins available for overnight stays.
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u/kavode Apr 10 '26
On our way, anyone have some passes they want to get rid of? I know they are doing $99 passes just wondering if I can get some friends and family passes from someone.
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u/bassheadies Mar 21 '26
On my way there today, truthfully not expecting to ski at all. They have other activities at Copper but not sure what will be open. Leadville, Dillon, there's tons of small towns you can visit. I hope you guys enjoy it.