CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear

CopenHill turns an active power plant into a ski slope, so you can make turns above Copenhagen even when there is no snow on the ground. I like the clever use of the rooftop and the panoramic city views, especially from the 85-meter-high upper section. I also like that your pass includes skis, boots, poles, a helmet, and lift access.

The catch is the plastic surface. It uses the same basic ski technique as snow, but the grip and feel are different. Recent conditions have included very slippery patches, ice, and a button lift that was not operating, so you should treat this as an unusual urban ski outing rather than a perfect substitute for an alpine resort.

Key points to know before you go

• Ski on a power plant roof: CopenHill combines a working clean-energy facility with an outdoor ski slope above the city.
• Choose your level carefully: The lower and middle sections suit beginners, while the upper black and red section is for advanced skiers.
• Bring gloves and light luggage: Gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and weather-ready clothing are required practical choices. There are no lockers.
• Expect a different surface: The plastic slope allows year-round skiing, but it can feel slippery and less predictable than packed snow.
• Use the views as part of the value: The rooftop setting and Copenhagen panorama are among the strongest reasons to book.
• Allow one to three hours: Your exact skiing time depends on the option you select, so check the available start times before booking.

CopenHill puts a ski slope on top of a power plant

CopenHill is one of Copenhagen’s most unusual sights. It is an active clean-energy power plant, but its roof has been shaped into an outdoor ski center. Instead of snow, you ski on an environmentally friendly plastic surface.

That makes the setting the main attraction. You are not heading into the Danish countryside for a traditional ski day. You are skiing in the center of Copenhagen, high above the streets, with the city spread out around you.

The roof reaches 85 meters above ground level. From the upper part of the slope, you get broad views across Copenhagen. The view is especially valuable because the skiing itself may not satisfy someone looking for normal snow conditions. I would think of the skyline as half of the outing, not a bonus added at the end.

The plant is still operating while you ski. That gives CopenHill its unusual character, but it also means this is a purpose-built urban attraction rather than a quiet mountain resort. You get a memorable setting, easy access within the city, and a short activity that fits neatly into a Copenhagen sightseeing day.

Checking in and collecting your ski gear

Enter through the main gate and go directly to the ski rental station inside the ski center. This is where you check in, collect your equipment, and receive your lift pass.

The package includes a helmet, skis, boots, and poles. At booking, you are asked for your shoe size, weight, and height. Give accurate information so the staff can prepare equipment that is a better fit when you arrive.

You need to bring your own gloves. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and clothing suited to the weather. Even though you are in the city, the activity is outdoors and exposed to wind. Strong winds can lead to a slope closure for safety reasons.

There are no lockers on the property. Do not arrive with a suitcase, large backpack, or other luggage that needs storing. Pets are not allowed, except for assistance dogs. This is worth planning around if you are visiting Copenhagen with bags between hotels or transport connections.

The available host languages are English, Danish, and Dutch. The supplied information does not name individual guides, and this is not a guided tour in the usual sense. Staff help you check in, fit the equipment, and get started, but you ski independently.

Starting slowly on the plastic surface

The skiing technique is basically the same as on snow. You still use skis, poles, edges, and controlled turns. The important difference is the sensation under your skis.

Plastic does not feel exactly like packed snow. You may find less grip, more sliding, and a surface that takes a little time to read. One useful piece of advice is to start slowly. Make a few careful turns before trying to build speed or move to a steeper section.

This matters for safety as well as enjoyment. CopenHill asks you to adjust to the surface so you can control your speed and leave room for other skiers. A cautious first run is a better plan than charging straight toward the steep section.

Recent conditions have included ice and very slippery areas. One skier reported being unable to ski because of the surface conditions, while another found the plastic hard to manage and not very reassuring. Those problems do not cancel out the idea behind CopenHill, but they do set a fair expectation: the skiing may be fun and novel without feeling like ordinary snow skiing.

If you are an experienced skier, you may adapt quickly, but you should still avoid assuming that familiar snow habits will feel identical here. If you are a beginner, take the lower section seriously and use it to learn the surface before moving higher.

Three levels, from gentle runs to the upper pitch

CopenHill is divided into three levels. The bottom and middle sections resemble blue and green pistes and are recommended for beginners. These are the areas to use if you are still working on balance, stopping, and basic turns.

The lower runs also make the most sense for families and mixed groups. A confident skier can enjoy the setting while a beginner practices nearby. There is an area for children as well, giving younger skiers a more suitable place to start.

The upper section is described as a black and red piste. It is intended for advanced skiers only. The surface already feels different from snow, and the steeper upper section leaves less room for a slow adjustment. If you are not comfortable controlling your speed and stopping on a steep run, stay lower.

There is also a slalom course and a freestyle park. These features give stronger skiers something to do beyond repeated runs, although the conditions of the surface and operating lifts can affect how much of the center you can use on a particular visit.

The important point is not to judge the slope by its height alone. The whole attraction is compact, and you are not getting the long downhill runs found at a mountain resort. You are paying for short runs, rooftop views, rental convenience, and the novelty of skiing in Copenhagen.

Four lifts keep the activity moving

The lift system includes four lifts. The three lower lifts are magic carpets, while the lift serving the upper steep section is a plate lift.

Magic carpets are useful for beginners because you stand on a moving belt rather than climbing stairs or managing a traditional chairlift. They keep the lower sections simple and help you repeat the same run while you work on control.

The upper lift requires a different technique and serves the steeper part of the slope. Its operation may vary. During one recent visit, the button lift was not running, so the skier used the lift to reach the top instead. That kind of change can affect how you plan your time and which sections are available.

I would not book this expecting the lift system to feel like a large ski resort. The four lifts are there to make a small rooftop slope practical. If one lift is closed, your usable terrain and number of runs may change.

Ask staff about current lift operation when you check in. That quick question can save you from planning around a section that is temporarily unavailable.

What the $59 price really covers

The listed price is $59 per person. That includes the lift pass, skiing time based on the option you select, and rental equipment: helmet, skis, boots, and poles.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If you need rental gear and want to try skiing without arranging transport to a winter resort, the package is convenient. You are paying for access to a rare city-center activity as well as the equipment.

The value is weaker if your only goal is high-quality skiing. The slope is short, the plastic surface can be slippery, and conditions can interfere with the experience. A dedicated skier may find the price high for the amount of downhill skiing available.

For a visitor already spending time in Copenhagen, I see the best value in the combination of skiing and sightseeing. You can spend one to three hours here, take in the city from a remarkable height, and try something that cannot be copied by a normal museum or walking tour.

The amount of skiing time depends on the option you choose. Check the available duration and start times before paying. A shorter visit may suit someone who wants the view and a quick try, while a longer option makes more sense if you plan to practice on the lower runs.

The view may be the strongest part of the outing

CopenHill’s rooftop position gives the activity a clear advantage over an indoor ski slope. You are outside, looking over Copenhagen, with the city beneath you rather than enclosed by walls.

The view is particularly useful for non-skiers in your group. Someone who is less interested in repeating runs can still appreciate the setting and the climb to the upper part of the center. The location also gives the outing a strong sightseeing element without turning it into a formal city tour.

I would plan a few minutes to look around rather than treating the view as something you notice only while waiting for the lift. The upper section is the place to appreciate the height, though it is also the part reserved for advanced skiers.

Weather matters. The rooftop is exposed, and strong winds can close the slope. If the center closes for safety reasons, local staff may provide reimbursement or a voucher for a later visit. That policy gives you some protection, but it cannot make a closed day useful if your Copenhagen schedule is tight.

Who will enjoy CopenHill most

This activity suits you if you like unusual city attractions, want to ski without leaving Copenhagen, or are happy to trade perfect snow for a memorable setting. It is also a good fit for beginners who want rental gear included and a lower section where they can practice.

Families may appreciate the children’s area and the easier lower and middle sections. Still, each skier should have realistic expectations about the plastic surface. A child who is nervous on skis may find the unusual grip frustrating rather than exciting.

Experienced skiers can use the upper black and red piste, slalom course, and freestyle park. The center offers more than a single flat practice strip, but it is not a replacement for a full mountain day. Advanced skiers should book for the novelty, city views, and technical challenge of the surface, not for long runs.

I would be more cautious about booking if you are planning this as the main skiing day of your trip. The uneven reports about grip, ice, and lift operation make the activity less predictable than a conventional resort. For a short urban adventure, those same quirks are part of the story.

Practical planning for a smooth visit

Check the forecast before you go, with special attention to wind. Strong winds may close the slope, and weather-appropriate clothing will make the wait and lift rides more comfortable.

Wear the required long sleeves and long pants, and bring gloves. Keep your belongings to a minimum because there are no lockers. Leave luggage elsewhere rather than hoping the rental station can hold it.

At check-in, confirm your equipment, ask which lifts are running, and find out which sections are open. Start on the lower slope even if you have skied before. The plastic surface can take a few turns to understand.

Keep your first run slow and controlled. The center specifically asks skiers to get used to the surface for everyone’s safety. Once you know how your edges and stopping distance feel, you can decide if the middle section or upper pitch suits your ability.

The activity lasts from one to three hours depending on the selected option. That makes it easy to pair with other Copenhagen plans, but leave enough time for gear collection and adjustment rather than scheduling another activity immediately after the shortest possible visit.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still uncertain.

Should you book CopenHill?

Book it if you want a clever, distinctly Copenhagen experience with excellent rooftop views, included rental gear, and a chance to ski outdoors in every season. It works best as a short activity and sightseeing stop, especially for beginners, families, and curious visitors who value the setting as much as the sport.

Think twice if you want smooth snow-like performance, long runs, or guaranteed access to every lift. The plastic can be slippery, icy conditions may affect the day, and the upper section is only for advanced skiers.

My advice is to book with flexible plans, bring gloves, leave your luggage behind, and treat the skiing as one part of the outing. If the surface behaves well, you get a genuinely fun urban ski session. If it does not, the views and the spectacle of skiing above a working power plant still give the visit a reason to exist.

FAQ

What is included with the CopenHill ski pass?

The pass includes lift access, skiing time based on the option you select, a helmet, skis, boots, and poles.

Can I ski at CopenHill year-round?

Yes. CopenHill uses an environmentally friendly plastic surface instead of snow, allowing outdoor skiing throughout the year.

Which part of CopenHill is suitable for beginners?

The bottom and middle sections are similar to green and blue pistes and are recommended for beginners. There is also a children’s area.

Is the upper section suitable for new skiers?

No. The upper level is described as a black and red piste and is recommended for advanced skiers only.

What should I bring to CopenHill?

Bring gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and clothing suitable for the weather. Do not bring luggage or large bags because there are no lockers.

What happens if strong winds close the slope?

If strong winds cause a safety closure, local staff may provide reimbursement or a voucher that can be used at a later date.