United States
Colorado (CO)
Leadville
Things to Do in Leadville
Ski Cooper
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Ski Cooper

See all things to do
See all things to do
Ski Cooper
4.5
253 reviews
#3 of 30 things to do in Leadville
Ski & Snowboard Areas
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Ski Cooper is a family-friendly, affordable Colorado ski resort located just outside of historic Leadville, known for short its lift lines, soft snow, and an authentic skiing atmosphere. Base area amenities include a day lodge, cafeteria, Irish pub, rental shop, retail store, adult and children's ski school, and ski patrol. Additionally, a mountain-top Yurt provides on-mountain food and beverage. Cooper is the perfect destination for anyone seeking a quality Colorado skiing experience without having to fight crowds and spend a fortune. Discover why Cooper is truly "The Heart of Skiing in the Heart of the Rockies".
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More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
253 reviews
Excellent
183
Very good
58
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
2
rideonchance
Saint Louis, MO61 contributions
Don’t tell anyone else, please❤️💜❤️
Jan 2020 • Couples
Love this place! The history of Ski Cooper is worth the price of a ticket. 10th Mountain Division were trained here during WW2 times. Great veterans/military discount. Beginner lessons were outstanding! I am a veteran skier, this is the last really family oriented slopes. I can do runs back to back, my beginner friends/family can take a reasonable priced lesson, and great instructor’s! I almost hate to say anymore, it’s nice to have slopes to yourself on fresh powder. No condo’s. Closes at 4. Road going in can get messy. Storms can blow in quickly! Going from blue sky to blizzard in an hour. Stay away, now that you know it’s cheap, rural, historic and honestly, all natural groomed snow. Ski’s and boarders carving it up, laughing, talking, new school goes old school, old school becomes new school. I, a vintage person of smaller size, can run with the snowboard’s and everybody is nice. Polite. Even friendly. I learned some new way!! Not one of those generation differences matter. Love it.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashlee P
Kansas City, MO32 contributions
A Great Place to Learn!
Mar 2020
As someone who grew up skiing Breck, Keystone and Copper, I was pretty hesitant when friends insisted we try Ski Cooper for our kids first outings on skis. The price was truly incredible, the crowds were non-existent and our kiddos got really great instruction without all the stress of being on a really busy mountain. My three-year-old did an $80 private lesson (rentals included) and their older kids enjoyed two full days of ski school while the parents bummed around the mountain. It felt like we had the slopes to ourselves. It's small, and if you're looking for really aggressive runs, you should probably look elsewhere. But for the value and a positive learning experience for the little ones, it's worth the drive to Leadville. We'll be back next year for ski school for our little one!
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andyagp
4 contributions
Awesome secret ski mountain
Mar 2021
First day we felt like we had the place to ourselves. Late in the day and the next day had more skiers but no lines and plenty of runs and space tp yourself on these slopes. We skied the numerous blues and greens so many that we're not sure we skied all of them. There are also many black runs that we did not attempt but watched. This place has a lot of slopes. Breckenridge wanted $180 per day. ski cooper was $80 but if you buy online and early day passes go for as little as $40. Don't pass on this ski location.
Written March 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KDA575
Denver, CO39 contributions
Old School , with class
Jan 2020
I been around Ski Cooper for about 17 years . Yes its been around a lot longer then that.
It is a ski hill that is old school, no glam , no fur jackets no SUV Rolls Royce or Mercadies filling up the parking lots . Its a hill that Families can go to and have a great day of skiing . Were you learn to ski better , before you move up to the more callenging terrian that bigger ski hiils have . Not any more ! They have opened the back side with terrian that is golden and will challege intermadte advance skiers and Put a Sh*t eatting grin on expert skiers . Think of Jackson Hole -The Ho Backs or WInter Park -Eagle WInd . With out he crowds and long lines . Shorter runs, but there challening . Which adds up to more runs in a day , then the other places .
As for the rest the hiil , the Bar is inproved and well worth a visit . The food is good.. The liftings (IE The Lift Operators) are engage and are freindly . Hell the staff is freindly . Excellent ski school .
I would like to tell you this is all made up , so it stays a Local Gem ! But that would be a Lie ! If you never been it is worth going ! A Colorado Gem!!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ajselgrad
Fond du Lac, WI232 contributions
Do yourself a favor and come here
Jan 2021
If want to avoid the crowds, interact with friendly staff, not pay a lot compared the big resorts, and have a nice range of runs, then this is the place for your. Great for families, great for beginners, and experienced riders/skiers. If you book your lift tickets 48+ hours in advance you get a great discount on your lift tickets. Really enjoyed our 2 days here and hope to come back soon.
Written February 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akuaba N
2 contributions
Helmut is a bully on the slopes
Mar 2022 • Friends
Having recently moved to CO, I decided to take up skiing (I mean it’s what you do in CO, no?). So I signed up for my very first ski lesson at Ski Cooper. My instructor was Helmut. Upon learning that this was my first attempt at skiing and also that I grew up in the tropics, he pointed to the snow on the ground and asked if I put some of it in my tea that morning. (Like…ummm…whattt???). I decided not to engage or dwell on it: I was there to learn to ski, and I’d only have to spend an hour with him. Once we got on the slopes, he was very condescending, rude, and impatient. At one point I fell, in the split position and couldn’t get up. I was in pain and asked him to please help me get up. He just stood there, shook his head disappointedly at me, and took his sweet time helping me up. And he kept yelling at me the whole time. It was terrible! I really felt bullied by him. Eventually, I mustered the courage to tell him I didn’t want to go back up the slopes with him - whether my lesson was over or not. The other staff members were very pleasant, but it turned out to be a total waste of my time and money, having rented a cabin and ski equipment. If you’re assigned Helmut, request a different instructor. Helmut is just a bully on the slopes.
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beastie3
Branson, MO49 contributions
Don't Read This Review
Feb 2021 • Couples
I say don't read this review because we should look to keep this place secret. This is the perfect ski area if you are looking for reasonable prices, quick lift lines, well maintained and groomed runs, and generally a great ski experience. No Summit County Ski Cooper is not, but they don't claim to be either. Go enjoy a great day of skiing and help keep our little secret.
Written February 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macfamilysanantonio
san antonio161 contributions
Nordic Center at Ski Cooper
Jan 2020
First, the trails were extensive and well-maintained. The trail fee was reasonable, and the nordic center was comfortable, casual, and the food there is great. Two big problems: the rentals were not very good quality and didn't seem to be as well maintained as those from other places in the area. The biggest problem was that there were snowmobiles (not the maintenance vehicles for the center, but recreational snowmobiles) as well as unleashed dogs, snow bikes, and even a snowboarder on the trails. There were lots of inexperienced cross country skiiers as well as hikers and people using snow shoes. It was simply not safe to allow unleashed dogs, snow bikes, snowmobiles, and snowboarders on the trails.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gagalkim
Atlanta, GA37 contributions
Awesome experience
Feb 2021 • Family
We spent 2 days at Ski Cooper for winter break. Our family of 6 attended ski school and then hit the slopes the next day. Eric, our instructor, was very patient with our group who had several first time skiers. Copper Mountain is a great family oriented place to learn that is not crowded. Would definitely recommend!
Written February 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Go735441
1 contribution
Ski Cooper snowboard lesson
Jan 2022
My son (7 yrs old) is high functioning autistic. I snowboard, and my son had said he wanted to try snowboarding also. We decided to try a lesson first to help with some of the beginning fundamentals. I called ahead of time to get scheduled. While I was told they don’t have a snowboard instructor trained for special assistance for snowboarding, I was asked several questions on how to best approach my son and his specific needs. I was also told that I was welcome to stay for the lesson as needed for moral support. When the day came, we got our rentals sorted for him and awaited our lesson with Spencer. I can’t thank Spencer enough for his patience and kindness with my son. Spencer acutely noted when a break was needed and escorted us to get water and snacks in the lodge. While my son still is working on those basics, he is excited to come back and wants another lesson with Spencer. My son got tired but not discouraged, and has whet his palate to do more in the future. Thank you.
Written January 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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