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Image of skiers at Ski Cooper in Colorado
Skiers at Ski Cooper. Photo: Ski Cooper/ Chicago Ridge

Ski Cooper – Leadville

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Ski Cooper is a small, laid-back mountain located in the scenic Leadville area. It has 480 acres of skiable terrain from beginner to expert including steep tree skiing in Tennessee Creek Basin.

The views are usually exceptional around Cooper, due in part to the state’s two largest mountains hovering in the distance: Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. Opened in 1942, Ski Cooper is one of the oldest Colorado ski resorts.

It began as a training ground for the 10th Mountain Division, a Special Forces team during WWII. They were trained for high-alpine fighting and later served in the Alps during the end of the war.

Aerial view of Ski Cooper Colorado in Wintertime
Aerial of Ski Cooper.

Ski Cooper is a fun, family mountain, offering great skiing, a friendly atmosphere, and remarkable mountain views. Although it has always been a beginner and intermediate mountain, Ski Cooper is opened up the Tennessee Creek Basin to expert skiers. A new chair lift was added for the 2019/2020 season, accessing 3 types of new terrain, all steep.

Terrain

Ski Cooper Colorado
A snow dragon at Ski Cooper.

Ski Cooper has a good mix of beginner and intermediate terrain. You’ll find lots of green and blue groomers, as well as bumps, glades, and a terrain park. The terrain is spread out over two sides of the mountain and includes 480 skiable acres. It gets 250 inches of light fluffy snow each year. There’s a total of 26 trails.

Beginners and intermediates will find plenty of variety and long runs at Ski Cooper. There are also not a whole lot of fast skiers to worry about whizzing by you. Ski Cooper is a local mountain where everyone is having a good time skiing in the Rockies.

Image of the terrain at Ski Cooper in Colorado
Trails at Ski Cooper. Photo: Ski Cooper / Chicago Ridge

Experts will find a few single black diamonds, but some of them could be considered blues. There are some nice tree runs where powder stashes hide. The terrain park has several features and is large enough to learn the basics. If you are looking for more action, sign up for Ski Cooper’s snowcat tours.

The Chicago Ridge Snowcat Tours serves up some of the best cat skiing in the state. They operate on 2,600 acres of terrain in the San Isabel and White River national forests. You can see the Chicago Ridge while skiing at Ski Cooper and it looks massive. You’ll go up to 12,600 feet in elevation atop the Continental Divide.

Village

Skiers skiing down to base village at Ski Cooper Colorado
Riding into the base village at Ski Cooper. Photo by: Casey Day

There is a base lodge with several reasonably priced amenities including a cafeteria, bar, and gift shop in the lodge. Ski Cooper is located on the top of the Tennessee Pass on Highway 24, north of Leadville. Downtown Leadville offers dining, lodging, shopping, and other attractions in a western historic district.

Ski Cooper Lodge
Base area.
Ski Cooper Piste
Looking up at the mountain from the base.
Ski Cooper Chairlift
I was trying to get the bird in this shot (it’s between the cables).
Ski Cooper Piste
The snow was soft and the powder was around.
Ski Cooper Snow Art
This snow dragon has ice-claws!
Ski Cooper CO
One of the steeper pitches at Ski Cooper.
Ski Cooper CO
One of Ski Cooper’s few black diamonds, which could be called a blue.
Ski Cooper CO
Looking down at the base area.
Ski Cooper Colorado
It’s about time to head in…
Ski Cooper Lodge
Might as well end the day with a local brew – on tap Dillon Dam Brewery.
Ski Cooper Base Lodge
Base restaurant at Ski Cooper.
Ski Cooper Chairlift
Heading up first lift.
Ski Cooper 10th Mountain Chair
10th Mountain Chair.
Ski Cooper Piney Basin Lift
Piney Basin Lift.
Ski Cooper Black Diamond
Supposive black diamond.
Ski Cooper Snow Art Dragon
Snow dragon at base of Piney Basin Triple Chair.
Ski Cooper Snow Art Dragon
Second snow dragon at base of 10th Mountain Chair.
Leadville CO Welcome Sign
Crossing into Leadville.
Leadville CO Downtown
Historic buildings in downtown Leadville.
Leadville CO Boom Days
Leadville Boom Days rocks.
Leadville CO Silver Dollar Saloon
Silver Dollar Saloon.
I-70 Sunday Ski Traffic
Sunday snow traffic on I-70 at 8pm.
Ski Cooper Chicago Ridge Powdercat Skiing
Fresh lines with Chicago Ridge Powdercat Skiing.
Ski Cooper Summit Patrol Hut
Patrol Hut on the summit.
Ski Cooper
Taking turns.
Ski Cooper Mount Galena
View of Mount Galena.
Ski Cooper Base Lodge
Base area and lodge.
Ski Cooper Snow Dragon
Snow dragon on the back side.
Ski Cooper Summer Aerial View
Summer aerial view.
Ski Cooper Corduroy
Groomed corduroy.
Ski Cooper Parking Area
Parking area at Ski Cooper.
Ski Cooper Moguls
Moguls.
Ski Cooper Mount Massive
Mount Massive in the distance.
Ski Cooper Chicago Ridge
Chicago Ridge.
Ski Cooper Chicago Ridge
More Chicago Ridge.

Details

Address: 259 County Rd 29, Leadville, CO

Phone: 719-486-2277

Season: late November – April

Lift Hours: 9am – 4pm

Mountain Stats:

  • Elevation: 10,500 ft – 11,700 ft
  • Vertical: 1,200 ft (366 m)
  • Ski Area: 480 acres
  • Snowcat Tour: 2,600 acres
  • Average Snowfall: 260 in
  • Trails: 60
  • Lifts: 5

​Trail Map: Ski Cooper (jpg)

Website: skicooper.com

Ski Cooper Logo

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