Smart Meetings

The Village is the site of the Copper Conference Center (coppermeetings.com), a flexible 15,568-square-foot space for up to 870 people. From November until mid-December is considered a slow season and a high value. The high season is from mid-January to mid-April, with the highest rates in March. Copper has a total of 68,000 sq. ft. of meeting space that can accommodate groups of up to 1,000. Copper is divided into three main areas: Union Creek, the Village at Copper and East Village. The Village, at the heart of it all, features lodging, restaurants, shops and year-round activities.

Copper Mountain also has excellent skiing, of course, on 2,450 acres and 125 trails, though due to prices and crowds, a summer meeting is perhaps an easier choice. From June to September, the Village is also the site of the Copper Pavilion, a semi-permanent tent structure that adds on an additional 18,000 sq. ft. of event space.

As in most Colorado resorts, summer activity options abound at Copper Mountain. Take your pick from go-carts, bungee jumping, tennis, basketball, hiking, pedal kayaking and canoeing. Copper Mountain Resort also has two championship golf courses. And during the summer months, Copper’s Burning Stones Outdoor Theatre shows movies that can be custom-tailored to groups.

For a fun team-building activity, TrailTracker is an adventure game that uses GPS technology for a treasure hunt. Also, consider renting The Diggler, an off-road scooter for a fun incentive activity. And the American Eagle lift soars up to 11,250 feet and costs nothing, providing an easy thrill that is as cheap as it gets.

Copper Mountain Stables (970-968-2232) offers horseback and sleigh rides; hunting trips are also available. Additionally, Copper Mountain claims to have the largest outdoor climbing wall in Colorado, with special programs for groups. The Conference Center can also put on progressive dining and wine tasting events, as well as grilling and cooking classes. Plus, there’s the Cocktails around the Village program to consider.

Getting There

Denver International Airport (  flydenver.com/index.asp). Shuttles and car rentals are available at both airports. Contact a provider such as Colorado Mountain Express CME Premier (cmepremier.com), and Greyhound (greyhound.com), which travels to the town of Silverthorne. Arrow Stage Lines  arrowstagelines.com) offers charter buses for 40 or more, and Timberline Tours (go-timberline.com) provides charters for up to 30 people.