Photo by Curtis DeVore / Copper Mountain Resort
When Copper Mountain Resort President and General Manager Dustin Lyman saw the level of demand for uphill and backcountry skiing last March, he knew Copper needed to add an uphill race series to the resort’s lineup.
Since Lyman began leading the resort at the start of the 2018-19 winter season, the Boulder native and former National Football League player has leaned into the resort’s niche as “The Athlete’s Mountain.” Along with serving as the U.S. Alpine Ski Team’s official training site and as the elite training and competition venue via Woodward Copper Mountain Park for park and pipe sports, Lyman believes uphill is a part of Copper’s athlete-first brand.
Photo from the Zander family
To event director Jeff Westcott, the first Imperial Challenge in two years felt like a joyous holiday.
“It felt like Imperial Eve,” the Breckenridge resident said about Sunday night.
For women’s lightweight champion Jill Sorensen, the Imperial’s return felt like a community reunion of friends even though it was physically distanced. To men’s lightweight race winner Chris Tatro, it felt like an end-of-winter, start-of-summer cornerstone.
“For the first time, it felt like we’re getting back to normal,” Tatro said. “It felt good for me, personally, and it felt good as a community. It was a wonderful day.”