With the runs busy and cruddy, I spent most of the afternoon hiking the park features. It’s a great little progression park, and I had a great time working on taking a few new tricks through the features.

—

“30 Days on the Road” is a blog series tracking my travel for thirty days in October and November; from leaving Alaska on October 27th until Steamboat opens on November 25th. Due to a series of cool opportunities I don’t have to be back at a “real job” until 11/26th, and after a summer that seemed way too long, I’ll be making the most of my free month with as much snow and snow industry fun as I can cram in. The goal is two-fold, first to get you pumped about the upcoming season, and two to help keep track of time as I wander aimlessly for a month.

I’ll also be posting updates on Facebook and Twitter, so make sure and check out the action there too.

As with every other resort right now, the snow conditions are essentially inconsistent ice and dust, but it’s hard to complain about being on snow with the sun out. I-70 crowds are to be expected on the weekends, and combined with the ice, can make for some scary encounters.

As usual, Copper has put together a great park with some great progression features. There are two park entrances, for the beginner park entrance you’ll skate to the right as you get off the American Eagle lift, for the bigger features turn left. There’s only one small jump, but plenty of fun box setups. My current favorite feature is the 15′ flat with a 6″ drop to a 15′ flat to 15′ down. While Copper’s park lacks the flash of Keystone’s new features, the park flows well, and has a much better selection of beginner and intermediate boxes.

There is definitely a lot of fun to be had, but keep it slow on the way down and stay safe, it’s too early in the season to let yourself get wrecked by some front-range madness.

—

“30 Days on the Road” is a blog series tracking my travel for thirty days in October and November; from leaving Alaska on October 27th until Steamboat opens on November 25th. Due to a series of cool opportunities I don’t have to be back at a “real job” until 11/26th, and after a summer that seemed way too long, I’ll be making the most of my free month with as much snow and snow industry fun as I can cram in. The goal is two-fold, first to get you pumped about the upcoming season, and two to help keep track of time as I wander aimlessly for a month.

I’ll also be posting updates on Facebook and Twitter, so make sure and check out the action there too.

Woodward at Copper Trampolines. Photo: Dave Lehl

The Woodward at Copper one-hour Fall classes meet once or twice a week typically in the evenings for 8 weeks, and are a great way to make sure that your legs are ready for the upcoming winter season. Pre-registration is required for all classes by September 4. The following classes will be offered*:

• Tramp Only (Ages 8 & up)   
  • Level 1 classes are entry level, where participants learn basic grabs and aerial awareness including spins and inverts on the trampoline and into the foam.  Offered Mondays 5 – 6 p.m.  Price – $112.
  • Level 2 classes are intermediate to advanced, where participants learn advanced spins, inverts and corked tricks on the trampoline and into the foam pit.  Offered Wednesdays 5 – 6 p.m. Price – $112.
• Skateboard (Ages 8 & up)
  • Skateboard classes are beginner to intermediate, where participants learn how to turn, drop in and ride transitions. Instruction varies between the mini ramps, bowl and street area. Offered Fridays and Saturdays 6 – 7 p.m. Price – $112 for one class per week or $214 for two classes per week.
• Tumbling & Trampoline (Ages 8 & up) 
  • Level 1 classes are entry level, where participants will learn basic skills on the spring floor, trampolines and into the foam pits including rolls, handstands and cartwheels.  Offered Sundays 1 – 2 p.m. Price – $84
  • Level 2 classes are intermediate to advanced and for optional level gymnasts only. Gymnasts will be tumbling on the spring floor and into the foam pit perfecting round off, back handspring, back tuck, layout and twisting.  Gymnasts will work front tumbling as well as skills on the trampolines and tumble track.  Offered Saturdays 12:30 – 2 p.m. Price – $160.
• Groms (Ages 5 – 7 years) 
  • Level 1 is an entry level trampoline only class in which participants work on coordination, body control and basic bounces and skills.  Offered Tuesdays 6 – 7 p.m. Price – $112.
  • Level 2 classes alternate between trampolines and Snowflex, where participants work on more advanced skills to improve body control and gain aerial awareness, in addition to learning how to ride the Snowflex features.  Offered Thursdays 6 – 7 p.m. Price – $128.
• Adults (Ages 18 & up)
  • Level 1 classes are entry level, where participants learn body control and aerial awareness on the trampolines, in addition to learning how to ride the Snowflex and small jibs.  Offered Mondays 6 – 7 p.m. Price – $128.
  • Level 2 classes are intermediate to advanced, where participants work on spins, inverts and corked tricks on the trampolines, from trampoline to foam pit, and off the Snowflex features.  Participants also are taught box, rail and quarterpipe tricks.  Offered Wednesdays 6 – 7 p.m. Price – $128.

*Pricing and schedule subject to change.

Woodward at Copper Snowflex & Foam. Photo: Dave Lehl

Woodward at Copper is open for the remainder of the summer and fall with One Hit Wonder, Drop-In and Skate/In-line/BMX Sessions. In addition, Woodward at Copper is offering the Camp Day, where campers spend the day on trampolines, spring floor, foam pits and Snowflex learning new tricks and perfecting old ones.

For more information, visit www.WoodwardatCopper.com, call 866-534-7444 or stop by The Woodward at Copper Barn.

About Copper: Copper gives guests the freedom to define their own vacation experience. Easy access to several 14,000 ft peaks, hundreds of miles of Colorado Scenic Byways, free scenic chairlift rides, an 18-hole championship golf course and long stretches of celebrated fishing waters make Copper a premier summer destination. That access, combined with an intimate resort village that produces world-class events and entertainment, is especially appealing to hikers, road bikers, runners, anglers and others seeking personal growth and wellness through their mountain experience. To see more, visit www.coppercolorado.com. NEW – Woodward at Copper Summer Camps – make sure to check out the first indoor/outdoor ski and snowboard camp on the planet, by visiting www.woodwardatcopper.com.

Plus get these 2 for 1 SPECIALS
-2 for 1 Performance and Demo Rentals
-2 for 1 Snow Tubing
-50% off Private Lessons

Woodward at Copper – 25% off for Pass Holders!
Passholders can come check out Woodward at Copper at a discount. We will be offering Copper Mountain, Rocky Mountain Super Pass, Rocky Mountain Super Pass+, and Ultimate Passholders 25% off the Winter Camp Day! Our valued passholders will be able to purchase the discounted Camp Day at the Call Center, Guest Services, and/or The Barn. Must show season pass to receive discount. Learn more at woodwardatcopper.com

Santa at Steamboat

The resort is just shy of being 100 percent open. Mountain Crews, with a little help from Mother Nature, have opened 2,863 acres 150 trails and 12 chairlifts offering access to 3,668 vertical feet. Morningside is now open as well as Pioneer Ridge for hike-to-terrain. The mountain now boasts a 37 inch mid-mountain base depth and more storms are forecasted for the remainder of December, with up to 2 feet possible. So if you’re still looking for a holiday escape, Steamboat is the place to be. Keep up to date on all the mountain conditions by visiting www.steamboat.com.

POW POW PLATTER
Imagine an infusion of distinct individual snow flavors. Such is the case with the new Pow Pow Platter pass which offers one day of skiing at Steamboat, Copper Mountain and Winter Park for just $99.

The Pow Pow Platter is an ideal holiday gift, stocking stuffer or perfect way to usher in the New Year offering great value for skiing and riding at three of Colorado’s favorite resorts. The Pow Pow Platter is a photo id pass, is unrestricted with no blackout dates and days do not have to be used consecutively. One ticket is valid for one day at each resort. Simply put, $33 a day for three incredible resorts.

Skiers and Riders who dine on the Pow Pow Platter will enjoy Mary Jane’s world-renowned moguls and Winter Park’s extraordinary alpine bowl and back country Cirque; Copper’s Free Tucker Cat Skiing, free parking and Naturally Divided Terrain; and Steamboat’s western hospitality, famous trees and legendary Champagne Powder™ snow. Pow Pow Platter connoisseurs have access to a combined total of 432 trails, 8,493 acres and over 9,300 vertical feet of terrain at Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat.
Pow Pow Platters are on sale now and will be available while supplies last or until January 31st, whichever comes first. Platters may only be purchased online at www.PowPowPlatter.com or by calling toll-free 866-763-5958. Platters must be purchased 48-hours in advance and may be redeemed at any resort.

Vito landed two runs of back-to-back 1080′s, back-to-back 900′s and a straight air, but it was his amplitude in the second run that got him the top men’s spot.

“It is great to see Louie start the season with such a strong win. He is really focused this season and it’s sweet to see him step up and get this win after his article in last Wednesday’s USA Today,” said Todd Hahn, Vice President at McClellan Nichols Sports Syndicate LLC.

OFFICIAL RESULTS 2009 U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix

Men’s Halfpipe Top 3

1. Louie Vito, (USA), 47.20

2. Steve Fisher, (USA), 44.00

3. Antti Autti, (Finland), 43.60

About The Sports Syndicate: The McClellan Nichols Sports Syndicate is a full service action sports and youth marketing agency based in Newport Beach, CA. MNSS represents some of the premier athletes and clients in the industry such as Ryan Villopoto, Marc Frank Montoya, Andreas Wiig, Jeremy “Twitch ” Stenberg, and Robbie Maddison and Greg Lutzka. Please visit www.thesportssyndicate.com for updates and news.

OK, so Schaffrick may not exactly be on that level right now, but the 14-year-old Steamboat Springs native showed Thursday morning at Copper Mountain that she’s well on her way.

Read the full article here: http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20081212/SPORTS/812119930/-1/rss01

“This approval is a huge step forward for Copper Mountain and represents a significant portion of the holistic resort plan,” said Copper President and COO Gary Rodgers. “Copper is now poised to move forward with certainty. We will work to complete the residential development and community infrastructure within the base area while we align our future On-Mountain improvements and offerings toward the greater vision.”

Copper’s future includes six development parcels within the base area including the existing Chapel Lot as a potential hotel site. The new development will be concentrated in the village center while lower density projects are designated for the West and East neighborhoods.

Copper’s plan will generate increased traffic and revenue for existing commercial business owners within the village. This is being accomplished with the addition of hotel/condo lodging in the center of the resort, dedicated commercial parking, improved transportation system delivering guests to the village core and by limiting the development of new commercial space.

Year-round recreational opportunities are an integral piece of the Copper lifestyle. Copper’s future will include minor improvements and changes to the Copper Creek Golf Course. In addition, Copper Mountain is currently constructing Woodward at Copper – a 19,000 sq ft indoor skiing and riding training facility geared toward park and pipe progression – set to open Winter 08/09. Copper Mountain has also dedicated 1.72 acres and $75,000 to the Copper Mountain Consolidated Metro District for the construction of a new fire station.

Through the process, Copper modified the employee and affordable housing strategy to better accommodate resort and community needs, including a 30-unit on-resort affordable housing development.

LIFT OFF CINEMA – Catch the newest ski & snowboard films from the industry leaders! Friday, November 2nd

FREE Movies Start at 3:30pm

• Jacks 3:30 – 4:45
• “La La Land” Runway Films
• “Save” Plehouse Flims
• Incline 5:00 – 6:15
• “Believe” Tanner Hall
• Endos 6:30 – 7:45
• “Seven Sunny Days: Matchstick Productions
• Zizzos 8:00 – 9:30
• “Idea” Poor Boyz Productions
• “A New Dawn” H3O Films
• Pizza Carlo 9:45 on
• “Yeah Dude” Poor Boyz Productions
• “Turning and Burning” Role Model Productions
• “Season 4″ White Out Films
• “Return of Nina” Right On Productions
• Special Blend’s Last Chair Celebration featuring “First Chair Last Call

LIFT OFF PRIZES – Just what the name entails. Ride the designated Lift Off Chair on Copper’s opening weekend and you’ll have a chance to win one of many prizes including items such as…Beeline Passes, 07 -08 Copper Season Passes, 07-08 winter lift tickets, free rentals, free ski or board tunes, food and beverage deals, dog sledding tours, snowmobile tours and more!

LIVE MUSIC – Copper has a reputation as one of the top music venues in the high country. Lift Off’s line-up will not disappoint our music enthusiasts. Burning Stones Plaza will rock with free music both Saturday 11/3 & Sunday 11/4. Line up as follows -

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD
FREE Daytime Line Up:

• 12:00pm – 12:45pm
  DJ Fashen:
  Fashen won the 2007 Rock Star Energy Drink / BPM Magazine’s “Next On The Decks” national search.

SATURDAY NIGHT SHOW – Copper Conference Center – $12 – Doors Open: 8:00pm

• Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 28th at the Copper Adventure Desk: 8am – 4:30pm until November 1st. 8am – 6pm starting November 2nd
• You can also but tickets at the door the night of the show starting at 6pm until 9:30pm

ALL AGES SHOW – Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be appropriate for children.

• 9:00pm – 9:30pm and 10:45pm – 11:15pm
  DJ Babu from Dilated Peoples:
  DJ Babu born Chris Oroc, DJ Babu is a member of Dilated Peoples and the on-again/off-again DJ crew Beat Junkies. Babu has won multiple competition titles including the DMC Championship in 1997 and multiple ITF titles. As a revered battle DJ he has appeared in and hosted numerable videos and — under the name Turntablist — produced perhaps the genre’s most popular battle record, 1996′s Super Duck Breaks.
• 9:30pm – 10:45pm
  Rahzel:
  Rahzel the undisputed “Godfather of Noyze” has re-defined the beat box. A self-defined “vocal percussionist,” Rahzel (rhymes with ‘gazelle’) has perfectly mastered this quintessential hip hop art form and has emerged as a “true virtuoso.” To hear him is to be converted.
  Billboard Magazine proclaims:
  “Everyone should experience his fascinating rhythms…using just his lips, cheeks, gums, and Adam’s apple he (recreates), with amazing accuracy and detail…, “His mockery of instruments/arcade of sounds leaves audiences captivated, wondering “is he for real?”
  Rahzel is best known as a member of The Roots, hip hop’s cutting-edge live band.
• 11:15pm- 12:30pm
  The Beatnuts:
  The Beatnuts are a hip hop crew from Queens, New York City. Their production is noted as some of the most accomplished, if unheralded, in all of hip-hop, often intricately detailed (as in their finely honed work for Mos Def on two tracks from Black on Both Sides) but more regularly barnstorming, club-friendly, flourish-laden party music. Recent Beatnuts albums are characterized by more Latin influences.
• SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
  FREE Daytime Line Up:
  12:00pm – 1:30pm
  Tim Reynolds:
  Reynolds is a guitarist who rises above the mere mastery of chops to a virtual state of communion with his instrument. Reynolds makes use of every capacity the guitar possesses. He has brought a whole new sensibility to his instrument with his wide-ranging musical ability. When this self-taught musician performs it is a symphony of the senses.
• 2:00pm – 3:30pm
  Outformation with Sam Holt, Jeff Layne and CR Gruver:
  After the 2002 passing of forty-year-old Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser, Sam Holt, Houser’s guitar tech, experienced this moment of clarity as he realized the critical need to make the most of his time. It was Houser’s death that served as the catalyst for Sam Holt to dedicate himself to Outformation.
  In response to Outformation’s auspicious entrance to the music world, the rising stars were named “Best New Band” of 2005 in Honest Tune Magazine’s reader’s poll. But it’s not just readers and writers of Honest Tune who have taken notice, with tour dates selling out across the country it appears that fans of blue-collar, hard-nosed rock & roll are taking notice everywhere.

EARLY SEASON DEMO CENTER – Leave your boards at home and kick off the season in style on the latest and greatest equipment from Salomon and Burton. Try one piece, or as many pieces as you like. First hour is FREE! Friday 11/2, Saturday 11/3 & Sunday 11/4.

APRÈS SKI PARTIES - Anticipate those soon to come powder days with other ski and ride addicts while watching this years ski and snowboarding videos, enjoying Happy hour drink specials all day long, Lift Off parties at several of Copper’s bars, and great raffle prizes! 11/2, 3 & 4

• Jack’s: 10am-5:30pm
• Endo’s: 10:30am-11pm (bar till midnight)
• Pizza Carlo: 11am-Midnight
• Copper Mountain Bar Specials $2 Coors or Coors Light draft, $4 Margaritaville Tequila shots, and $5 Margaritaville margaritas.

• Incline: 11am -11pm – $3 Flavored Three Olives Vodka shots, $4 Red-Orange Bull (Red Bull & Three Olive Orange), or Jaeger Bombs (Red Bull & Jaegermeister)

For more info, visit www.coppercolorado.com