Copper Mountain, CO - Copper’s Ski and Ride School (SRS) has developed new programs and re-energized existing offerings for this season, bringing Knowledge, Confidence and Progression to the forefront of the programs. Copper’s SRS is introducing real-time GPS tracking, the Copper Posse and Busting their way through the bumps, trees and deep powder.

The real-time GPS tracking provided by flaik™ includes a small, lightweight device that straps to children’s arms and utilizes a Global Positioning System and cellular communications to track kid’s location and progress on the slopes, and to provide superior safety and peace of mind. In addition, parents can learn about their children’s lesson experience in the complementary parent orientations, which begin shortly after kids begin their Ski and Ride School day.

The Copper Posse* program will provide a recreational option for young girls and boys to participate in a freestyle ski and snowboard program allowing for camaraderie amongst peers, without the competitive atmosphere. This program focuses on both park & pipe and all-mountain skills; each participant must be a proficient intermediate rider/skier with a desire to become better in all terrain, especially big-mountain freeriding. For more detailed information about the Copper Posse, please call 970.968.2318 ext. 45706.

Express Group lessons* are for adults that don’t want large classes or a private lesson. These guests can already ski and ride most intermediate to advanced terrain, but want an all day experience that includes mountain knowledge and valuable pointers on skills, styles and tactics. New this season – the combination of one instructor, bundled with no more than three people means guest receives first class, personalized attention, and Copper will match those of similar ability to one another. Express Group Lessons start at $130 and can be bundled with a discounted lift ticket.

It’s not about restrictions; it’s about choice…with Copper’s Relaxed Starts* lesson times. Here at the Copper Ski & Ride School, we appreciate that our guests’ ski and ride time is a day off from the regular grind of life. Copper feels there is no need to rush to get to ski or ride school - take it easy and relax. The Ski and Ride School staff won’t say “sorry the next available time is in the afternoon.” Instead Copper offers two convenient lesson start times - 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. - at Union Creek. The price is the same no matter if guests start at 10 or 11 a.m.

Stop into the promotional tent at the top of the Kokomo beginner lift (new location this season) and Copper pros will give free tips to guests, to help them connect to the mountain. Whether it is ski and ride specific tips or the skinny on where to go for the best après, the emphasis is to help families and beginners connect with the sport. The Free Your Mountain Tips* are provided most afternoons, based on available instructors.

These first-of-its-kind Buster Series* clinics are designed to help guests master specific skiing or riding terrain. They are designed for skiers and riders interested in gaining confidence in the trees, learning to zipper-line through the bumps or feel the freedom associated with deep powder or carving turns. Clinics start from $90 and run on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season. Buster Series lessons can be bundled with a discounted lift ticket. See below for the different types of Buster Series Clinics offered at Copper this winter:

Learn to rip the bumps in this Bump Busters clinic headed up by competitive mogul skier Stephen Karp and taught by a team of competitive-level certified Copper Ski and Ride instructors. The program touches on several aspects of mogul and overall skiing, including: training, clothing, equipment, stance/balance, boot alignment, boot flex, boot education, pole length, pole importance, body position/balance, mogul etiquette, safety, line choice, turn technique and mental focus, all while tapping into the energy and the patience to make it happen.

Both skiers and snowboarders can learn to tackle Copper’s wonderful tree glades, tight trees and everything in between in the new Tree Busters program. The program will touch on short radius turns, balance, stance, shooting gaps, handling jumps and speed control, and taking guests through a progression designed to give them the tools and confidence needed for tree skiing or riding.

The Powder and Carving Buster program focuses on overcoming the challenges associated with deep snow. Participants will learn to not dig their tips in the snow and go for a roll, or get exhausted with powder still on the ground. Once the fresh snow is gone, the instructor will transfer the same skills to perfect graceful carving on groomed runs because many of the same skills are needed for both powder and carving.

For more information about all of Copper’s Ski and Ride School offerings, please visit coppercolorado.com/ski_and_ride_school.

*Prices and times are subject to change.

About Copper

Copper Mountain is a full inclusive resort with three distinct villages (The East Village, The Village at Copper and Union Creek) ideally suited for different personalities, all within easy walking distance of the slopes and activities. Copper has 17 mountain establishments located in the East Village and The Village at Copper for coffee, fine dining, quick bites and grill options. For those guests seeking other recreational pursuits, Copper offers snow tubing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, scenic sleigh rides, snowmobiling, an athletic club and ice skating. For up-to-date weather, photos and more, visit coppercolorado.com. For Winter 08/09, Copper introduces Woodward at Copper, a first-of-its-kind year round training facility dedicated to skiing and snowboarding, woodwardatcopper.com.

About Intrawest ULC

Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in ten resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with locations throughout North America. In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit intrawest.com.

Tags: Copper Mountain, snowboard school

This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 8:15 am and is filed under NEWS. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.