From Summit to Soil — How Copper Mountain Is Growing a Culture of Conservation

by Amanda Faison
skier, ski mom, lover of slopeside cuisine

In July, when Dustin Lyman, President of Copper Mountain, addressed a room full of sustainability managers from regional ski resorts, environmental scientists, Colorado media, and other interested parties at the fourth-annual Ski Conservation Summit, he kicked off his remarks with an anecdote. He and his family had recently returned from a summer trip to Oklahoma and at the end of their stay, they went to take their recycling out, only to find there was no such place in the near (or far) vicinity. The family was guilt-ridden about throwing their carefully sorted items into the garbage.

For Lyman, this unfortunate event underscored an opportunity. “We need to spread the word on responsible conservation,” he told the audience. “At Copper Mountain, we preach it, and when people come and visit us, they take something home.” And that is the exact point of the annual summit: to openly share information.

Thinking Big, Starting Small

This gathering of the minds was specifically aimed at those in the Colorado ski industry who are not only concerned about climate change but who are actively trying to do something about it. The summit, which is free to attend, provides a platform to share ideas, hear from scientists, and discuss how to advance land conservation and sustainability efforts. “Consider the holistic view. It’s the cumulative impact,” says Jeff Graser, Senior Sustainability Manager at Copper. “The challenges we’re facing are massive; we need to attack them at scale. All these little things eventually become scale and everyone adopts it.”

The summit also offered the opportunity for Copper to share details on its carbon sequestration study and seed collecting program, both of which are underway. These nature-based solutions are designed to use plants to draw down carbon and restore the health of the land. As Dr. Jennie DeMarco, an ecosystem scientist and assistant professor of biology at Southwestern University, explains it, “Soil stores a huge amount of carbon. Most of it is stored in the top one meter, which is often disturbed by human activity.” This is especially true at ski areas where the disturbed soil on established ski runs isn’t storing carbon as efficiently as untouched soil. Copper is not only studying this but also has large scale plans to implement its findings.

Seeding the Future

A quick hike to the site brought participants to one of the mountain’s five soil study sites. In place since 2022, Copper has four main goals for the data gathered: establish a baseline measurement of carbon storage on slopes; evaluate effectiveness of using different soil amendments and native seeds; scale up; explore the potential of using the data to inform a carbon offset or credit.

The second part of this program is native seed collecting and planting. “This is about restoring our natural environment,” says Olivia DeWitt, Copper’s On-Mountain Sustainability Lead, while explaining that a group of volunteers and Copper employees collect seeds from native species July to December. “It takes 100 hours of seed collecting for one hour of planting. In an hour, you can plant a million-plus seeds,” she says. Time is also spent removing invasive species, such as wild chamomile.

Taking Conservation Home

Here’s a great example of how information-sharing makes its way to guests in a meaningful way: In the summer, Copper teams up with the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District to host group seed-collecting hikes. These outings are a hit with kids and families—not only are they a fun outdoor adventure, but they also introduce visitors to the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems, often without them even realizing it. It’s a natural extension of Copper’s hands-on sustainability efforts like composting and recycling, which are modeled throughout the resort. It’s this kind of learning-through-doing that Lyman was referring to when he talked about guests taking small but impactful lessons home with them. The big takeaway? When people care about something, they’re more likely to protect it.

Local Legends and Carbon Goals: The A Basin Way

by Amanda Faison
skier, ski mom, lover of slopeside cuisine

A Local’s Mountain, Through and Through

Arapahoe Basin is nothing if not a community-first mountain, and loyalty runs deep. Regulars know all the lifties and parking attendants by name, not to mention the bartenders (and probably their spouses as well). On opening day, locals line up at 6 a.m. in hopes of nabbing one of the coveted glass mugs, as much for the bragging rights as the deals that come with it. And throughout the season, when skiers and riders spot Mike Nathan, head of mountain sustainability, on the slopes or in the lift line, they shout out “Recycle Michael!” This is a well-earned nod to Nathan’s #SustainabilitySunday reels and posts about the mountain’s practices and responsibility in combating climate change.

Keeping all this in mind, it’s not a leap to understand that A Basin believes in creating change from the ground up. “Our whole thing is small projects that ladder up,” says Shayna Silverman, Communications Manager for A Basin. “Our philosophy is that we are a localized ski area, and that’s how we approach sustainability too. We’re very grassroots, and every employee has a voice and a responsibility.”

People-Powered Progress (With a Boost from the Sun)

The mountain’s Green Team is one such example. This group of interested front-line employees (come one, come all!) meets regularly to discuss opportunities and concerns with Nathan and Sustainability Coordinator Helena Robinowitz. “The idea is to generate new ideas from those who are really doing the work,” Silverman says. The meetings have yielded incentives for carpooling, composting, and recycling. Take, for example, the problem of limited recycling in Summit County: A Basin encourages staff to bring in their own hard-to-recycle items such as plastic berry containers, which the resort has the resources to send to the right recycling center. “Our philosophy is that change starts at the bottom,” Silverman continues.

These seemingly small, day-to-day practices run in tandem with A Basin’s massive, sweeping mountain-wide initiatives, such as operating with 100 percent renewable electricity as of October 2023. The use of solar panels (including the world’s highest on Il Rifugio’s roof at 12,456 feet), community solar farms, and subscription-based utility programs to power chairlifts, snowmaking, buildings, and electric vehicle chargers, allowed A Basin to achieve another monumental goal: to become 100 percent carbon neutral in April 2024. That is nearly a year ahead of schedule.

Past the Peak of Carbon Neutral

Even with big goals achieved, A Basin isn’t sitting back. The mountain continues to push forward. “Right now we’re using carbon offsets for things like our diesel- and gas-fueled fleet of snowcats, snowmobiles, and parking lot vehicles. But we know offsets aren’t the future,” Silverman explains. The next step is electrification of those vehicles, as well as concentrating on the smaller, employee-driven goals like waste diversion, improved transportation, and carpooling efficiency.

At A Basin, you can count on the fact that the buy-in to be better is not just front and center in all the mountain does, but part of the draw too.

Image courtesy Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.

Pass Masters: Why Smart Skiers Buy Their Passes in the Spring

If next ski season isn’t on your radar yet, it should be. Now’s the time to act!

The best deals and lowest prices are right now

Buying your 2025-26 season pass early is the ultimate hack for skiers and snowboarders who want to save money and score extra perks. Season pass prices are at their lowest right now, and many resorts are offering limited-time deals—like buddy tickets and exclusive discounts—that disappear faster than a fresh line on a powder day.

Skiers and riders are planners at heart (we see you, snow lover, checking the forecast three times a day). So don’t wait for next fall. Pass prices typically increase as the season approaches—sometimes more than once. The best time to buy a Colorado ski pass is in the spring.

All-In or À-La-Carte? How to Choose Between a Season Pass and a Lift Ticket Pack

Season passes aren’t the only ticket to ride next season. If you’re more into fireside chats and après drinks than chasing first tracks, lift ticket bundles and packs are calling your name. Perfect for those planning a few solid days on the hill, they offer flexibility without the full-season commitment. Now, if you’re the type who’s out there nearly every weekend, no question—a season pass is still your best bet.

Either way, deals on passes and ticket packs are starting to drop, and the best prices won’t stick around. Whether you’re a die-hard shredder or a casual cruiser, now’s the time to lock it in.

Early bird pricing won’t last

Waiting until fall to buy your season pass is like showing up to the après party after the hot tub’s full. Still fun, but not quite the same. And let’s be honest: there’s something incredibly satisfying about being ahead of the game. When you buy your Colorado ski pass early, you’re not just saving money, you’re buying peace of mind, priority, and powder days.

Curious about the cost to hit the slopes next season? Here’s a look at current 2025–26 season pass and ticket bundle prices across Colorado resorts. Keep in mind, prices and availability can change quickly—always check directly on each resort site for the most up-to-date info before you buy.

Arapahoe Basin Get unlimited, no-blackout-day access to Colorado’s longest ski and ride season with an A-Basin Season Pass—just $659 for adults ages 23 and up. Not going full send on a season pass? A-Basin’s multi-day packs and fall passes let you dip a ski boot in without diving all the way in.

Aspen Snowmass Season passes unlock access to all four Aspen Snowmass mountains, with options from unlimited skiing and riding to one- or two-day-per-week passes. Perks include discounts, bonus days, and added Ikon access with the Premier Pass.

Copper Mountain Unlimited, no-blackout-day access plus exclusive perks: the perfect choice for a full season of skiing and riding in the Colorado Rockies. $849 for adults ages 23+. If you’re just planning a few days, the Copper 4-Pack is a great value and gets you four days on the mountain with no blackout dates.

Eldora Invest in a season of fun with family & friends just a short drive from home. With pass options ranging from unlimited access to weekday and family bundles, Eldora has the perfect fit for every kind of skier and rider.

Granby Ranch Season passes offer unlimited access, perks like retail discounts and night skiing, and direct-to-lift convenience starting at $619 for new pass holders. The Family Ticket Pack is perfect for groups of up to four looking to share the mountain and save.

Monarch Mountain Ski two seasons with the Wings Pass at $699 for adults (ages 18–61); valid for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons. ​

Powderhorn Continuing the initiative of the 2024–25 Price Freeze, Powderhorn’s 2025–26 Season Pass will be available at last season’s price ($429 for adults ages 13-74) through Monday, April 7.

Purgatory The Power Pass gets you unlimited skiing at Purgatory, Snowbowl, Brian Head, Sandia Peak, Sipapu, Pajarito, Nordic Valley, Lee Canyon, and Willamette Pass with no price increase over the last two seasons! Adult passes start at $429, if purchased by April 7, 2025.

Steamboat Resort There are plenty of ways to ski or ride at Steamboat—choose from the Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass, or Ikon Session Pass. Each Ikon Pass tier includes access to Steamboat, so you can pick the one that fits your season best.

Winter Park Ski or ride over 3,000 acres at Winter Park Resort all season long; adult pass starting from $719. For shorter visits, Flex Tickets are available now for just $79—no blackout dates and all the mountain access you need.

Colorado Ski Country USA passes, including our Ski Passport and Gems Parent and Teen Passes, drop in late summer!

Spring Skiing in Colorado: Events, Music, and Mountain Fun

Spring skiing in Colorado is nothing short of magical—longer days, softer snow, and plenty of après-ski festivities to go around. From closing day celebrations to live music, competitions, and unique experiences, there’s no better way to embrace spring than with a sun-soaked ski trip. Here’s what’s happening across Colorado Ski Country USA resorts this spring.

Late-Season Turns

If you’re looking to squeeze in extra days on the slopes, a few Colorado resorts stay open well into May and even June.

• Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) is famous for its long seasons and challenging terrain. Last year, A-Basin boasted the longest season in the state, staying open for an impressive 222 days and closing on June 16.

Themed Celebrations & Unique Experiences

Closing days and spring festivities bring out the best in mountain culture, from costume parties to pond skims.

• Gay Basin – A vibrant and welcoming LGBTQ+ celebration at Arapahoe Basin, featuring themed skiing, a colorful après party, and a festive atmosphere on the mountain (May 17 – 19).

Final Laps

Few things rival spring skiing in Colorado, with bluebird skies, soft turns, and that perfect mix of warm sunshine and lingering powder stashes. Whether you’re chasing late-season snowfall, grooving to live mountain music, or soaking up the après scene, spring in Colorado Ski Country USA delivers truly unforgettable days on the slopes.

Image courtesy Lucas Herbert, Arapahoe Basin.

Colorado Shines a Spotlight on Ski Safety Awareness Month

January isn’t just about fresh powder and mid-season turns—it’s Ski Safety Awareness Month, a time when Colorado’s ski areas put extra focus on slope safety and encourage skiers and riders to be mindful on the mountain.

Across Colorado Ski Country USA, resorts took to the slopes and screens to educate guests on Your Responsibility Code—the 10 essential guidelines from the National Ski Areas Association designed to help skiers and riders navigate the mountain as safely as possible.

From reminders to stay in control (because nobody wants to be “that guy”) to knowing where to stop (spoiler: not in the middle of a run), resorts found creative ways to keep safety top of mind. Many also offered behind-the-scenes glimpses of their ski patrol in action and hosted special events to highlight the importance of safety on the slopes.

And in the state capitol, Governor Jared Polis proclaimed January 23 as Colorado Ski Safety Awareness Day, further emphasizing the significance of education and responsibility on the mountain.

Skiing and riding in Colorado is all about fun, freedom, and adventure—and knowing and obeying the Code makes it even funner, even freer, and even more adventurous.

Three Toasty Tips to Keep Skiers Warm on the Coldest Days

Let it Snow — The Cold Never Bothered Skiers Anyway

We’re in the heart of the ski season, and no matter the weather, skiers and riders are loving every moment on Colorado’s slopes. Our top tip for tackling bone-chilling ski days? Layers! Cover all exposed skin and stack on extra and thicker layers when temperatures plummet.

1. Don’t flake on layers

• Start with a base layer of quick-drying polyester, wool, or even silk to help wick sweat and keep you toasty and dry. Cotton is a hard pass—it’ll leave you cold and clammy in no time.
• Next up, the middle layer for insulation. Think fleece pullovers, sweaters, or vests; they’re perfect for locking in warmth. When it’s downright frigid, doubling up is the move. Try layering a sweatshirt over your fleece, rocking a fleece-and-vest combo, or slipping on lined leggings over your long underwear.
• Now it’s time to suit up with your outer layer or shell to keep snow and wind from crashing the party. Opt for waterproof jackets and pants with snow guards and insulation to stay warm, dry, and ready to conquer the cold.

2. Warm hands and feet are happy hands and feet

• Layering wins again when it comes to keeping your hands warm on sub-zero ski days. Mittens outshine gloves in the warmth department, and synthetic or silk glove liners (not cotton!) are a game-changer. Don’t forget to toss some hand warmers in your pocket for the ultimate heating hack.
• Ditch the bulky sock stacks. One tall, heavy-weight wool or synthetic blend sock will lock in warmth and boost circulation. Keep your tootsies extra toasty by wearing one pair of socks on the drive up and changing into your warm woolies right before you strap on those boots.

3. Brain freeze? Not on our watch!

• Helmets are a no-brainer (pun intended). Not only do they protect your noggin, but they also keep your head surprisingly warm. For those extra-arctic days, layer up first with a snug beanie, wear a neck gaiter to shield your face, and add a helmet hood to lock in heat.

Skiers and riders thrive in the cold—it’s the key to perfect powder. Layer up with the right gear, review slope safety with Your Responsibility Code, and snag your Colorado Ski Country USA passes for accessible skiing options before sales close. The slopes are calling!