Reviewed · SKIING

CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear

3.7 · 110 reviews 1 - 3 hours From $59 Operated by CopenHill A/S · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Book on GetYourGuide →

Copenhagen’s strangest ski hill sits on top of an active power plant, 85 meters above the city. You ski on environmentally friendly plastic instead of snow, with rooftops, harbor views, and the skyline spread out below. I like the year-round access and the chance to try a genuinely unusual piece of urban design. I also like that rental gear and the lift pass are included, so you do not need to haul ski equipment through Copenhagen.

The catch is the surface. Plastic does not feel exactly like snow, and some skiers find it slippery, with little grip or a less secure feeling underfoot. Start slowly, get used to the turn, and treat the outing as a fun city activity first and a serious ski session second.

  • 85-meter rooftop setting: Ski above Copenhagen from an active clean-energy power plant.
  • Plastic ski surface: Use normal ski technique, but expect a different feel from snow.
  • Three slope levels: Beginners use the blue and green middle and lower sections, while advanced skiers tackle the black and red upper piste.
  • Four lift systems: Three lower magic carpets serve the easier sections, while a plate lift reaches the steep upper run.
  • Included equipment: Your package covers skis, boots, poles, helmet, lift pass, and the selected skiing time.
  • Extra areas: A slalom course, freestyle park, and children’s area add variety beyond the main runs.

Skiing on a Power Plant Roof in Copenhagen

CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear - Skiing on a Power Plant Roof in Copenhagen

CopenHill is not a mountain resort. It is an operating clean-energy power plant in the city, with a ski center built across its roof. That setting is the whole point. You are not leaving Copenhagen for the countryside or waiting for winter weather. You are putting on skis in the capital and looking across the city from an industrial roof.

I find the contrast memorable. Below you is an active power facility. Under your skis is a manufactured plastic surface. Around you are broad city views. It is part sports outing, part piece of modern urban design, and part sightseeing stop with ski boots on.

The slope reaches 85 meters high, so the views are not a minor extra. They are one of the strongest reasons to book. From the upper sections, you can look out across Copenhagen while taking a break between runs. The sightline gives the activity a sense of place that an indoor ski hall cannot match.

The experience lasts from one to three hours, depending on the option you select. That makes it easy to fit into a Copenhagen day. You can give it a short try between other plans, or stay longer if you want to work through the different areas.

Checking In and Collecting Your Gear

CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear - Checking In and Collecting Your Gear

Enter through the main gate and go straight to the ski rental station inside the ski center. This is where you check in, collect your lift pass, and receive your helmet, skis, boots, and poles.

You will be asked for your shoe size, weight, and height when booking. Give accurate information so the equipment can be prepared properly. The process matters more here than it might at a casual equipment counter, since correctly fitted boots and skis help you deal with the unusual plastic surface.

Bring gloves, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and clothing suited to the weather. This is an outdoor activity, and the rooftop can feel exposed. You do not need to bring your own ski gear unless you prefer to, since the listed rental package includes the main equipment.

Travel light. There are no lockers on the property, and luggage or large bags are not allowed. Plan to leave suitcases elsewhere before arriving. Assistance dogs are allowed, but other pets are not.

English, Danish, and Dutch are spoken by the host or greeter. That gives you a useful choice at check-in, particularly when you need help with equipment or instructions.

A few more Scandinavia trips to weigh up

What the Plastic Surface Feels Like

CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear - What the Plastic Surface Feels Like

The technique is meant to be the same as skiing on real snow. You still control speed with your edges, make normal turns, and need to pay attention to the skiers around you. The sensation is different, though, and you should not expect snow-like grip from the first turn.

Several pieces of direct feedback point to the same practical warning: the plastic can feel very slippery, and some skiers find it hard to get enough grip. One skier described the surface as unsafe and difficult, while another found almost no grip at all. These comments do not make the activity impossible, but they do show why you should begin at low speed.

Give yourself time to understand how the skis react. Avoid charging straight into the steep section. Work out your stopping and turning before moving to a busier or more difficult run. If the surface feels uncomfortable, stay on the lower and middle sections rather than treating the black and red piste as a challenge you must complete.

Conditions can also affect the outing. Strong winds may close the slope for safety. One recent account also described ice and an inability to ski, so you should be prepared for the possibility that conditions may limit the session. If the slope closes because of strong wind, local staff provide reimbursement or a voucher for a later date.

Choosing the Right Level

CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear - Choosing the Right Level

CopenHill is divided into three levels, with a clear split between the easier lower sections and the steep upper section.

The middle and bottom levels are similar to blue and green pistes. These are the right places for beginners and anyone still learning how the plastic behaves. They give you room to practice basic movement without starting on the most demanding part of the hill.

The upper level is described as a black and red piste for advanced skiers only. It is the steepest part of the route and is reached by a plate lift. If you already ski confidently on challenging terrain, this section gives you the most serious run of the three.

I would not use the color labels as a reason to stretch your ability. A black and red snow run is already demanding, and the plastic surface adds another adjustment. Start lower, make a few controlled turns, and move upward only if you feel comfortable.

There is also a children’s area, which makes the venue more flexible for families. The exact age or height rules are not specified, so check current requirements when booking if a child will be skiing.

Four Lifts and Several Ways to Use Your Time

The lower three lifts are magic carpets. These moving belts carry you back up the gentler sections without the need to master a tow system. That is helpful for beginners, who can focus on balance and turning rather than learning several new lift techniques at once.

The upper steep section uses a plate lift. This lift reaches the top part of the slope, where the black and red run begins. One account noted that the plate lift was not operating during that visit, and an alternative lift ride was used to reach the top. Lift availability can therefore affect how much of the hill you can use on the day.

Beyond ordinary runs, you can try the slalom course or freestyle park. These areas give confident skiers something to work on once they have tested the main slope. They also make the activity more interesting for people who do not want to repeat the same straight route for the entire session.

I would think of the session in stages:

  • First, collect your equipment and check the fit.
  • Next, make slow turns on a lower section.
  • Then, use the magic carpets to repeat the run and build confidence.
  • After that, try the slalom or freestyle area if your ability suits it.
  • Finally, consider the upper slope only if the surface and lift are working well for you.

This approach makes one to three hours feel purposeful without forcing you to use every feature.

Same fjord country, a very different day out:

The Views Are Part of the Ticket

CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear - The Views Are Part of the Ticket

The city view is the most consistently praised part of the experience. From the roof, CopenHill gives you a fresh angle on Copenhagen, and the height makes the setting feel more dramatic than a normal city ski facility.

Take a moment to look out before beginning your first run. It is easy to focus only on equipment and lift lines, but the view is why this works as a sightseeing activity even for someone who is not a committed skier.

The view also helps companions who are not skiing. The provided details do not describe a separate spectator ticket or viewing arrangement, so do not assume that non-skiers can use every part of the facility without checking. For the person holding the ski pass, though, the panorama adds value that ordinary slope time cannot provide.

Is the $59 Price Good Value?

At $59 per person, the price includes the lift pass, skiing time for your selected option, skis, boots, poles, and helmet. That is a fair package if you do not own equipment and want a short, unusual activity in Copenhagen.

The value depends on what you expect. If you compare CopenHill with a full winter ski resort, the price is not buying long mountain runs, natural snow, or a day of extensive piste mileage. The venue is compact, the session is limited to one to three hours, and the plastic surface may not satisfy a skier looking for a polished snow experience.

If you compare it with a normal city attraction, the calculation looks better. You get an active outing, a rooftop view, rental equipment, and access to several types of ski areas without leaving the capital. It can be especially useful for a short visit, a family activity, or a skier who wants to keep practicing outside the winter season.

Food and drinks cost extra, although several restaurants are on-site. Since you are told not to bring large bags and there are no lockers, plan your meal and belongings before arriving rather than assuming you can store luggage or carry a full day pack onto the slope.

Who Will Enjoy CopenHill Most?

This suits beginners who want a gentle introduction and experienced skiers who understand that the main attraction is the setting. It also works for families because of the children’s area and the simple magic carpet lifts on the lower levels.

It is a good choice for a visitor who has already seen Copenhagen’s standard sights and wants something active. The rooftop location makes it especially appealing if you like unusual architecture, city views, or activities that could happen nowhere else in quite the same way.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is high-quality skiing. The plastic surface can feel less predictable than snow, and the upper lift may not always operate. A serious skier may find the session too short or too limited, particularly if conditions reduce access to parts of the slope.

Your ability matters, but your attitude matters just as much. If you can treat the activity as a playful urban ski experience, you are more likely to enjoy it. If you expect resort-level snow and technical skiing, the $59 price may feel less convincing.

Weather, Safety, and Practical Timing

CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear - Weather, Safety, and Practical Timing

Strong winds can close the slope. This is important because the site is high and exposed, and a weather closure can change your plans even after you arrive. In that case, staff provide a reimbursement or a voucher for another date.

Wear weather-appropriate clothing rather than assuming the city temperature tells the whole story. Gloves are required for comfort and sensible protection, while long sleeves and long pants are specifically recommended.

Start slowly, especially if you have skied on snow but never on plastic. Keep space from other skiers and take time to understand the surface before trying the steeper run, slalom, or freestyle park.

The flexible booking terms help with planning. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check available start times because the activity length varies from one to three hours.

Should You Book CopenHill?

Book it if you want a one-of-a-kind Copenhagen activity, included rental gear, and a strong city view from 85 meters up. It is particularly suitable for beginners, families, curious sightseers, and confident skiers who are happy to test an unconventional surface.

Skip it if you want natural snow, long mountain pistes, or a highly refined ski feel. The plastic may be slippery, some equipment or lift functions may vary, and weather can stop the slope from operating.

My advice is to book with modest ski expectations and high curiosity. Start on the lower run, enjoy the view, and let the rooftop power plant setting carry some of the experience. At $59, it is worthwhile as an unusual urban outing, not as a substitute for a winter ski holiday.

FAQ

Where is CopenHill located?

CopenHill is in the Zealand Region of Denmark, in the center of Copenhagen. It is built on top of an active clean-energy power plant.

Can I ski at CopenHill all year?

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

What does the $59 ski pass include?

The package includes a lift pass, skiing time based on your selected option, a helmet, skis, boots, and poles.

Which slope should beginners use?

Beginners should use the middle and bottom sections, which are similar to blue and green pistes. The upper black and red section is recommended for advanced skiers.

What lifts are available?

CopenHill has four lifts. The lower three are magic carpet lifts, and the lift for the upper steep section is a plate lift.

What should I bring?

Bring gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and clothing suited to 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 force a safety closure, local staff provide a reimbursement or a voucher that can be used at a later date.

More like this

Skiing, compared.

The full Skiing list →
Cross Country Guided Skiing Course
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 503 reviews· from $99

Cross Country Guided Skiing Course

Read our review →
Sightseeing with Holmenkollen Ski Jump & Vigeland Park
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 451 reviews· from $57

Sightseeing with Holmenkollen Ski Jump & Vigeland Park

Read our review →
Luleå: Nordic Touring Skiing Adventure
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 7 reviews· from $151

Luleå: Nordic Touring Skiing Adventure

Read our review →
Cross-Country Skiing Tour with a Guide
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3 reviews· from $176

Cross-Country Skiing Tour with a Guide

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Scandinavia

Pick a coastline, a capital or an Arctic night.