What kind of skiing is it you are looking for? I’ve done a few Ikon trips out Denver way so I know where you are coming from.
If you want steeps and are inclined to test your lungs and quads then A Basin is iconic. So many fun zones, steeps, bowls, trees…..and the East Wall is a lot of fun if you are into that kind of stuff. That’s what I’m looking for when I go out West. Bring skins and a pack if you are into that stuff as they make getting back from some of the ‘hike back’ terrain ant A Basin easier. There’s even some relatively tame backcountry accessible from the resort.
On the other hand, if you are less looking for adventure and prefer high speed lifts, cruising long intermediate trails, or easy access to wide open bowls then Copper is a great option. Yeah, there are some areas where you can hike a bit at Copper, and there are great trees, and adventures to be found, but it’s less than what you’d do at A Basin. Keep on eye on operating schedules as March progresses. Copper will shut down big sections of the mountain in stages come late spring, as skiing crowds dwindle and the golf clubs come out. I’m not familiar with when that starts happening, but in April I’ve seen sooo much rad terrain with great snow off limits for that reason.
On most trips I’ve usually done Copper along with A Basin.
Last year I hit up Winter Park. Well, Mary Jane at least. It was pushing May and MJ was all that was still open. Mary Jane has great terrain, good trees, and of course bumps. There’s also some hairball steeps that were unfortunately closed for the season when I went.
A Basin, Copper, or Winter Park…..can’t go wrong. I’d go A Basin and Copper, staying in Silverthorne as a base. If you stay there check out The Pad. They have private rooms but their dorm lodging suits my needs just fine, cool place, always nice having drinks in the hot tub sharing stories at days end.
