Arapahoe Basin, or A-Basin as it is known to its many friends and fans, is one of North America’s (and the world’s) highest ski areas, its base at just over two vertical miles above sea level.
That also translates to it being one of the most snowsure on the planet and having a very long ski season as a result. This winter it was the first to open in North America, as it often is, with the lift starting turning on Halloween. Late next spring, or perhaps even early-summer it will, as usual, be the last to close in Colorado. During that time it averages just under nine metres (350 inches) of snowfall each winter.
It made it into August one year and has stayed open to the 4th of July seven times in its 78-year history, most recently in 2019.
But there’s more to Arapahoe Basin than just altitude! It’s a great community ski destination with a legion of loyal fans and a great, friendly, welcoming atmosphere. A resort statement sums it up pretty well…
“We are legendary for being true to ourselves, embracing a rich history, promoting a come-as-you-are vibe, and being vocal about our commitment to our environment and local community. A-Basin is a pure skier’s and snowboarder’s mountain and welcomes anyone and everyone.”
That rich history is fast approaching eight decades now, with Arapahoe Basin having opened in 1946 with one tow rope and a $1.25 lift ticket.
Today it has expanded to more than 1,400 acres, served by nine lifts and is certainly not resting on its laurels with more than half of its lifts queue-gobbling four and six-seater chairlifts, the latest the brand shiny new Lenawee high-speed 6-seat chairlift which goes into service this winter.
A Basin has a lot to offer advanced skiers, besides the draw of being able to get up the mountain in June or October! It was voted number four in the west and number one in Colorado for “challenging terrain” in the 2023 Ski Magazine reader survey, topping many much bigger and more famous ski areas in the state and across the US.
That’s reflected in the stats to some extent. Almost half (49%) of A-Basin’s nearly 1,500 acres of in-bounds terrain is rated black diamond (“most difficult”), but on top of that, a further 24% is rated double-black diamond on “extreme” so this is definitely some of Colorado’s most adventurous in-bounds terrain and offers usually uncrowded runs.
That “uncrowded runs” feature is an important one at A-Basin was one of many resorts to introduce during the pandemic to ensure social distancing. Now that’s behind us though they’ve decided it was actually a great idea and while others have returned to maximum ticket sales regardless, they’ve stuck to the policy of limiting people on the slopes to ensure runs remain uncrowded. A very pleasant change for skiers used to some of the bigger resorts in Europe. They achieve it by limiting the sale of unrestricted season passes and packs and limiting daily lift ticket sales.
“Our aim is to manage crowds and preserve a quality ski and ride experience,” an A-Basin spokesperson said. Imagine that?
Less experienced skiers and boarders are certainly not forgotten though with a fifth (20%) of the runs graded easy-intermediate blues, and 7% novice gentle greens – plenty to be getting started on.
For freestyle skiers and boarders looking for some park action, the centre is home to the Treeline Terrain Park (intermediate to advanced) and the High Divide Terrain Park (beginner to intermediate) as well as the starter Banana Park (beginner to intermediate) so an impressive three to choose from.
The terrain divides up into seven distinct areas of its mountain, each with its own character. There’s the frontside, Pallavicini, The Beavers, Montezuma Bowl, The Steep Gullies, The East Wall and Molly Hogan.
There’s no accommodation at Arapahoe Basin, it’s a resort you make day visits to and the increasingly rare free parking adds to its popularity with locals, although there are good bus services too.
What you will find though is a choice of dining options, rental and retail shops, a world-class ski school and a great childcare facility. There are also, of course, bathrooms, lockers and all-important water bottle-filling stations.
Despite a lack of hotels and condos, you’re not forgotten when you’re not skiing. There’s a choice of five different dining establishments and new for this winter Arapahoe Basin’s Black Mountain Lodge, located at mid-mountain – is offering Moonlight Dinners.
These include a cuisine series from mountain regions of the world and you’ll also enjoy a ride under the stars on the Black Mountain Express Lift to reach the lodge where a multi-course, buffet-style dining experience with live entertainment and specially chosen drinks will all be waiting.
During the daytime, you can also eat at the 6th Alley Bar & Grill or Legends Cafe in the base area and the Steilhang German Hut is open for lunch Fridays-Tuesdays while Il Rifugio European Bistro is open for lunch Wednesdays to Sundays, so you have plenty of choice. But this being A-Basin it’s no surprise that if you want to ring your own picnic lunch, rather than make a fuss they have space reserved for you in a base building, no problem.
A-Basin is easy to reach from almost anywhere in Colorado but the towns of Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Keystone and Silverthorne are all nearby and there are out-of-town accommodations closer to the ski area too which the centre is happy to recommend.
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