Keystone vs Copper Mountain
One clear look at snowfall, elevation, and access, so you know which to ski.
Keystone
CO · 12,408 ft
Copper Mountain
CO · 12,313 ft
Side-by-Side
| Metric | Keystone | Copper Mountain |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Colorado I-70 & Aspen CO | Colorado I-70 & Aspen CO |
| Summit elevation | 12,408 ft 9,280 ft base | 12,313 ft 9,712 ft base |
| NWS forecast bias | Pending grade pending | Pending grade pending |
| Season snowfall | 3" 4 storms | 4" 4 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 0.8"/day | 1.1"/day |
| Best storm | 15/100 Tracked | 24/100 Tracked |
| SNOTEL record | 4 storm-days measured | 4 storm-days measured |
| Community reports | 218 TGR posts | 13 TGR posts |
| Nearest airport | DEN | DEN |
| Drive time | 1.5h 75 mi · DEN | 1.5h 75 mi · DEN |
| Access difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Pass | Epic | Ikon |
Snowfall totals come from each resort's tracked storms. NWS forecast grades read “pending” everywhere: six winters of checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct, so we show the raw NWS number and do not grade it.
The Verdict
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Keystone and Copper Mountain and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
Keystone and Copper Mountain ran neck-and-neck this season, about 3" and 4" of snowfall respectively.
Both are a similar trip — roughly 1.5h from DEN.
Best for
Keystone — Epic pass holders weighing where to point a trip, with flight prices and drive timing side by side.
Best for
Copper Mountain — chasing the biggest totals — it out-snowed Keystone this season.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelKeystone
Heavy snow at Keystone creates excellent conditions for locals who know the mountain.
Copper Mountain
Monitor SNOTEL water content; Copper typically has lower water content than nearby areas (5% vs 8% at Vail, 13% at Beaver Creek), indicating drier snow conditions
FAQ
Does Keystone or Copper Mountain get more snow?
Keystone and Copper Mountain ran neck-and-neck this season, about 3" and 4" of snowfall respectively.
Is Keystone or Copper Mountain easier to get to?
Both are a similar trip — roughly 1.5h from DEN.
Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Keystone or Copper Mountain?
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Keystone and Copper Mountain and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
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