Copper Mountain Ski Resort

Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado undertook a massive expansion to provide more year-round revenue, including new condos, streetscapes, outdoor features, streambeds, and ponds. CLDE was retained to prepare and implement the lighting portion of the master plan for the expansion and a new design direction that was dubbed “High Alpine with an Edge.”

During development, we further defined this theme as a “bold, natural, rustic style with high design touches,” and “nature tamed with technology.” This concept included lantern-like site lighting fixtures with a highly designed sleek “industrial” look and twisted metal poles; dramatic washes and accents on natural elements in unusual styles; unique placement and patterning of light in crevasses; and interactive movement of light, color, texture, and patterns to create a dynamic environment.

Our contribution included fiberoptic “roots” that were laid into the pavement coming from a giant snag tree, creeks and ponds that were outlined and filled with colored light, and a festive warm ambience to the village. The mountain was painted with high-intensity robotic searchlights that could create projected images and color on the slopes and falling snow. The “beach” at the bottom of the main slope is bathed in blue light from unique poles that house robotic lights. The perimeter of the beach is defined by variable colored light from six stone monolith towers that are also capped with actual flame bowls.