Summit County Citizens Voice

Upper Mountain hosting local teams; full-length speed training center slated to open Oct. 31, weather permitting

Ski team luminaries and resort execs prepare for the opening of the U.S. Ski Team Speed Training Center at Copper Mountain in November, 2011.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — After an intense early season snowmaking session, Copper is already hosting race training on the upper mountain, while U.S. Ski Team racers are looking forward to the scheduled Oct. 31 opening of the speed training center on terrain served by the Super Bee chair.

The training venue, which opened last year, has been touted as a game-changer for the U.S. team, enabling racers to make full-length training runs before key early season World Cup races at Vail and Aspen. The speed center opening is weather dependent.

To help get skiers psyched for the season, Copper is holding an online lottery that will enable a handful of passholders to win VIP access to the speed center, along with a chance to ski or ride with ski team racers like Lindsey Vonn, Bode Miller and Julia Mancuso.

Copper Mountain season pass holders can enter on Facebook to win lift access for two, a venue tour from a U.S. Ski Team athlete followed by open skiing and riding and lunch with the team.

Entries to the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center VIP Preview Contest will be accepted until Oct. 26. You must have a Copper Mountain Season Pass, Copper Four Pack, Rocky Mountain Super Pass, or Super Pass Plus to enter. Visit http://www.CopperColorado.com to renew online or visit any Christy Sports location.

Filed under: Colorado, Copper Mountain, Ski Resorts, skiing and riding, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news Tagged: | Colorado, Copper Mountain, Julia Mancuso, Lindsey Vonn, skiing, Summit County Colorado, Summit County skiing, Ted Ligety, US. Ski Team Speed Training Center