Copper and the US Ski Team worked for years to develop a regulation downhill course that the team could use for early-season training. This doesn't exist anywhere else and should give the team a nice advantage going into the earlier races of the season.

Some media and lucky season pass holders got the invite to ski with the team and check out the course. Here are some pictures (scroll to the last two which shows some Halloween fun).

Racers and coaches talked us through the strategy needed to navigate the course.

Nice view for October 31st!

About 100 people came to hang with the US Ski Team and make some turns.

#SpeedCenterVIP hashtag. It is 2012 after all...

(L to R) Pete Woods from Copper, Travis Ganong from the US Ski Team, and Joel Gratz from OpenSnow.com work on their tuck position (in costume).

Pete Woods from Copper (left) and Joel Gratz from OpenSnow.com (right) show off their best Halloween costumes. Pete came as a 1980s era ski racer, and Joel dressed as an 80s Rockstar, complete with a "Vote for Snow" pin because all rockers need a cause.

Source: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America Link

Source: Liam Doran