Native Americans
Before Anglo-American settlement, Ute and Arapaho Indians used the forests in and around Copper Mountain for fishing and hunting.
Miners
During the nineteenth century, mining took over in much of the region that is now Summit County. The copper in this mountain gave the peak its name.
Settlers
Judge John S. Wheeler organized the first settlement here in the 1880s. When mining slowed, Wheeler promoted tourism, inviting guests to fish and horseback ride through the scenic landscape.
Skiers
In 1971, Chuck Lewis purchased land at the base of the Copper Mountain with a vision for a ski resort and began clearing trails that same year.
Growth
Today, the resort contains 2,433 acres. International ski corporation Intrawest purchased the resort in 1997.
Fun Fact
You can still see remains of some of the original buildings of the Wheeler days at the base of the Alpine Lift.
Article Written By Kelly Aspen
Kelly Aspen's writing focuses on natural places, cultural sites and wildlife. She has nine years of experience as an editor and writer for magazines, books and websites, including Trails.com, Travels.com and Weekendnotes.com. She attended Vassar College and now lives in the mountains of Colorado.
