Skiing · · Peak Oxygen, Copper Mountain
Stand at the top of Copper Bowl and look east, and you will see a rocky ridge rising toward a summit of 12,337 feet. That is Tucker Mountain, home to around 273 acres of some of the most serious in-bounds terrain in Summit County. It is not where you take a mixed-ability group, but for strong skiers and riders, a morning on Tucker can be the highlight of a Copper trip.
How skiers get to Tucker
For years, Tucker had a reputation as a place you had to work for. The terrain sat beyond the lifts, and the usual ways up were a free snowcat ride from near the Mountain Chief lift on select days, or a long walk along the ridge. The cat ride became a local favorite: a ride of about 15 minutes that dropped skiers at a saddle on the ridgeline, with the option to hike higher for the steepest lines.
Copper later added the Three Bears chairlift, a fixed-grip triple that reaches terrain that used to be cat or hike only. It has made Tucker far easier to enjoy, though the high ridge still rewards anyone willing to boot-pack a little farther. How Tucker is accessed on a given day can change with the season and conditions, so check Copper's lift and trail report or ask a patroller before you head out.
What the terrain is like
Tucker is expert terrain, plain and simple. Expect steep chutes lined with trees, open faces of wind-scoured snow, rock bands and natural features. Lower down, the chutes funnel into pine forest, and the runs eventually lead you back toward the lifts in Copper Bowl. Up high, the landscape feels more like the backcountry than a resort, with wide views of the Tenmile Range.
Because it is avalanche terrain, Copper's ski patrol controls it and opens it only when it is safe. After a storm, that can take time, and parts of Tucker may open gradually. The terrain and its access lifts also tend to close earlier than the front side, so plan to get there in the late morning or early afternoon at the latest.
Who should go
- Confident advanced and expert skiers and riders who are comfortable on steep, ungroomed slopes.
- People who ski with a partner. It is wise to keep each other in sight in steep terrain.
- Anyone who has already spent a few days on the mountain. Tucker is a lot to take on straight off the plane.
- Not beginners or intermediates. The rest of the group will have more fun in Copper's front-side terrain, then you can meet up for lunch.
Plan your Tucker day
Copper's base villages sit at 9,712 feet, and Tucker's summit is more than 2,600 feet higher. The air is thin and the weather can change quickly above treeline. Bring a warm layer, goggles for flat light, a snack and water, and save energy for the ski out. If it is your first trip to Colorado, give yourself a couple of days at Copper before heading up, and talk to a doctor about any medical questions before you travel.
On clear mornings after fresh snow, Tucker is at its best. On windy or stormy days, the lower trees and the groomers back toward Center Village are often the better call. Our FAQ has more about planning a stay at Copper.
Rest easy back at your lodging
A morning above treeline is a big effort, and the evening usually calls for something slow. Peak Oxygen brings in-home and portable concentrators to lodging in Center Village, East Village, West Village and around the resort. They are for recreational use at altitude, with no prescription required, and we can drop them off whether or not you are there. Call (970) 368-9190 with any questions.
