By Mikaela Ruland

Follow Mikaela's adventures at @themillennialoutside and themillennialoutside.com

19 year old Maddy Pierce’s alarm goes off at 4:50 on winter weekend mornings. She’s at Copper Mountain by 6am, where she checks in with the night crew, swaps radios and then heads up the mountain on a snowmobile.

by Tracy Block

With a great early-season snowfall just one month in (more than 100 inches, total, so far), both skiers and snowboarders are already flocking to Copper Mountain to start lapping their favorite chairs. If you’re getting the itch to hit your favorite runs, it is crucial to ensure you are in-shape enough to gear up and strap in for the ride, first. Not sure which of your parts could use a little tuning? We’ve done the legwork – and more – for you.

We sat down with Jon Mauch, Senior Sales Manager and spokesperson for Leitner-Poma, and asked him some of your questions. We hope you're finding chairlifts as fascinating as we do!

The American Flyer is anticipated to open by Christmas. 

Some Fun Facts

by Sally Francklyn

In the wake of allowing uphill access to trails at ski resorts, Copper Mountain has followed suit. This move lets people ski or snowshoe uphill, meaning they can access the mountain in  different way. Copper Mountain’s Uphill Access gives skiers an “opportunity to see and experience the resort in a unique manner,” says Shauna Bocksch, Mountain Safety Patrol Supervisor at Copper Mountain Resort.

By Lisa Blake

These mountain and village spots have what you’re craving. Here’s where to go and what to order.

By Tracy Greenhalgh

Like most of you, I’ve counted on my body to propel, or at least roll, me out of bed in the mornings and move me through my busy days. Physical activity has always been a given for me and I’m like a puppy who needs to get outside and “play in the yard” on the daily.  I just assumed I’d always be able to pursue any activity, sport or movement I wanted, and that my body would automatically cooperate, like a faithful, fit golden retriever.

We're so excited to announce that the American Eagle is now open. This combination lift of eight-person gondola cabins and six-person chairs follows the same footprint as the former American Eagle providing access to intermediate and advanced terrain out of Center Village. There will be two separate load lines - one for gondola cabins and one for chairs.