Copper Mountain Defies "Worst Snow Year in Decades" to Extend Season into May

In a winter that has seen many Colorado resorts struggle with sparse natural snowfall, Copper Mountain is doubling down on its spring season. The resort announced this week that it will extend operations by an extra week, pushing its closing day from April 26 to Sunday, May 3, 2026.

To celebrate the bonus laps, Copper is offering a "closing week" special with lift tickets priced at just $49 for the final seven days of the season.

The decision to stay open comes despite what resort officials are calling a "low snow year." As of mid-April, Copper has recorded only 157 inches of total snowfall—well below its historical average of 299 inches. Some local meteorologists have categorized the 2025-26 cycle as one of the toughest for natural accumulation in the last 40 years.

So, how is Copper staying open while neighbors like Aspen Mountain and Winter Park prepare to shutter their lifts on April 19? Resort leadership points to three key factors:

High Altitude: With a base elevation of 9,712 feet and a summit reaching 12,441 feet, Copper sits significantly higher than many other North American resorts, allowing it to hold onto colder temperatures longer.

North-Facing Aspect: Roughly 60% of Copper’s terrain faces north. This orientation shields the snowpack from the direct heat of the spring sun, slowing the melt and preserving "spring corn" conditions.

Strategic Snowmaking: A massive early-season push that began on October 1, 2025, created a durable foundation that has proven resilient against the late-season warmth.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Copper Mountain has successfully extended its season into May. While the natural flakes have been fewer and farther between this year, a series of late-season storms and a forecast calling for a dip in temperatures over the next two weeks gave the resort the confidence to pull the trigger on the extension.

"Our north-facing slopes and high elevation are our greatest assets during a year like this," the resort noted in a press release. "Combined with some creative 'snow farming' by our grooming teams, we're able to offer a high-quality experience even when the totals aren't where we'd normally like them to be."

During the extended week (April 27 – May 3), skiers can expect a focused footprint of terrain, likely centered around the American Eagle and Excelerator lifts.

Before the extension kicks in, the resort will host its annual Sunsation closing weekend on April 25-26, featuring live music from Moon Taxi and The Record Company, as well as the fan-favorite Skimmy Dippers Dual Pond Skim.

For those looking for a final bargain, the $49 tickets represent some of the most affordable access in the state, offering a way for locals and "snow-starved" travellers to get one last fix before the bikes and hiking boots take over the mountain for the summer.