You Say Copper but I Say……Cooper!!!
By Mary Jo Shelton

Wow…what a difference an “O” makes!!!  We headed up to Copper to use some 2 for 1 coupons (normal lift ticket, gasp and cringe = $81) and were met by poor conditions and a large crowd of Not-Rights on vacation. We were not prepared for constant defensive skiing and Mike got knocked out of his skis by a woman who brayed, “I was skiing in CONTROL.” Maybe by control she meant control top ski pants because he was standing still and the “controlled” crash was definitely a Clearance Sale including serious Equipment Javelin….see #5 a below.

This would be a good time to review the terminology of falling when skiing…

  1. White Sale:  A slow purposeless yet graceful pratfall that generally involves little to no speed, no loss of gear and great loss of dignity. Occurs without warning with minor heavy thudding to earth and has no identifiable reason for occurring. Usually happens in lift lines or on catwalks and most always involves an audience. Mysterious.
     
  2. Garage sale:  A fall that involves major earth seeking gyrations and some loss of gear but you usually land on it (argh!) or it is within reach. Usually a non-painful episode and you know the reason why it occurred but rarely own up to it.
     
  3. Yard sale:  Far more spectacular than a garage and does involve out of reach loss of gear. Skier is capable of self retrieve although may be in some physical and emotional distress and of course embarrassment (and rightly so).
     
  4. Flea Market:  Usually a high speed thrashing with significant loss of clothing, gear and dignity. Snow may invade underwear. Regrouping requires assist from others and morphine.
     
  5. Clearance Sale:  There are two kinds of Clearance Sales
    1. A fall caused by another skier but usually a ##$%^@* snowboarder. Results in severe angst, bad language and occasionally Equipment Javelin. E.J. is caused by becoming so upset that you throw the offenders equipment AT them rather than to them.
    2. A fall that is so disheartening and/or frustrating that you head for the bar. Ski day over.
       
  6. Estate Sale:  Don’t even go there.

Back to the story, so we decided that if we weren’t relaxed and having fun then why be there?  We had 2 coupons left for Copper but my pimp, Jerry Colaner, sold them to some guy at breakfast for $20 each!!!  I paid like $3 each on Ebay. Cool. So instead of skiing the next day at Copper again we headed south for Leadville and a little ski area called Cooper. It is in the general locality of Camp Hale where the 10th Mountain Division of WWII fame trained. What a sweet place for a fun day of skiing!!!  The day we were t/////////here the lift tickets for seniors (HUH?  Who’s a senior?) was $21 and we certainly got our money’s worth. Not a technical mountain for you hard core folks but this place was certainly friendly. Cooper sported 4 lifts of various eras…..a 2 seater, 3 seater and a couple surface lifts. We skied medium length runs (1200 ft of vertical) of many colors and just really had a great day. They also have some exclusive Snowcat tours of Chicago Ridge…2400 Acres of backcountry bowl and glade skiing.

Below are some photos of Cooper


The “lodge” had a nice café, potties and a gift shop. What else do you need?


Understatement of the day:  Robbie and Jerry Colaner enjoying a nice cruise on the uncrowded slopes.


MJ…“This is more like it!!!”


Nothing better than being met by your dog after a hard day of skiing.


Ski in/ski out takes on a whole new meaning at Cooper

Previously visited areas include Angel Fire and Monarch:


Left to Right:  Harriet Vaugeois, John Noard, Robbie Colaner, Doris Noard & Jerry Colaner. Photo taken at Monarch


Angel Fire:  Mike Shelton in the foreground, with John and Doris Noard on Jasper.


Mike does bumps… “When I say “whoa, I mean WHOA!!!”

Latest DEAL UPDATE: 2 for 1 coupon at any Shell Station in Colorado which entitles you to by a ski pass at Monarch, Crested Butte & Copper for two people for the price of one. Qualifier……you have to buy 10 gallons of their slightly over-priced fuel. Still a great deal.

OK…so far all SFTR skiers remain intact and are able to sit up and take nourishment so we ski......

Remember to finish all your turns and keep the shiny side down…

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