Arapahoe Basin

Closed
Karl Sander
SnowPak Local Insider
Karl Sander
Pros
  • Arapahoe Basin boasts one of the longest ski seasons (October - June)
  • Incredible advanced terrain
  • Budget friendly compared to other Colorado ski resorts
Cons
  • Very limited amenities and no lodging at the base

Overall

4.6

Meet “the Legend.” If a ski resort is going to have a nickname like that, it’s got a lot to live up to - but believe me, Arapahoe Basin delivers! It’s been offering up some of the gnarliest big-mountain terrain in a part of the country known for white-knuckle skiing since 1946, after the site retired from its career as a defense contractor test site. Perched near the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass, its elevation helps give it a yearly average of 350 in of snow and some of the longest ski seasons anywhere in North America, often lasting into late spring and early summer (and, at least once, into August!). It maintains a small “locals’ mountain” vibe, complete with quirky staff, less stringent policies (at least compared to Vail resorts) and a more laissez faire atmosphere.

Best month to go

Mid-December to April

With its long season, it might seem like you could go to A-Basin almost any time. The snow is usually deep with good coverage for the majority of winter, from mid-December through April. Of course, that timeframe also includes some of the coldest months of the year in the highest of high country, so you’ll want to pack and layer accordingly if you visit from December through February. Arapahoe Basin doesn’t usually get too crowded, though like any resort it has times that are busier than others. These are typically over the Christmas / New Year’s holiday, the US federal holiday weekends in mid-January and mid-February, and spring break in March. During those times, you might see some crowding on the beginner and intermediate runs due to the simple fact there just aren’t many of them to begin with. That said, with its reputation for extreme terrain, it doesn’t really draw a lot of beginners and intermediates to begin with.

FLY TO

Denver International Airport

SHUTTLE TO

Arapahoe Basin (approx. 2.5 hours)

Base of Keystone (5-10 mi)

  • Most skiers stay here as there is no lodging at A-Basin
  • Wide range of accommodation options
  • 15 minutes drive away

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Summit Cove (5-10 mi)

  • Closest town to Arapahoe Basin
  • Wide range of vacation rentals
  • Quieter compared to Keystone

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Dillon/Silverthorne (10-15 mi)

  • Both towns are around 20 mins drive away
  • Inexpensive lodging
  • Limited nightlife

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Frisco (15-20 mi)

  • 25-30 minutes drive away
  • Inexpensive lodging; has many hotel and motel chains
  • Easy access to Breckenridge and Copper Mountain

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For beginners

Beginner terrain is limited here but if you must, the base area is a good learning area for beginners, with two magic carpets, the Molly Hogan Lift and a gentle slope for practising on. More experienced beginners can lap the greens off Black Mountain Express including the Wrangler, the longest green run here with wide and gentle turns through the trees.

More beginners tips

For intermediates

The resort has a handful of intermediate runs. You'll have a few good choices off Black Mountain Express we definitely think you should try out Larkspur and Columbine, two long groomed runs in the Montezuma bowl.

More intermediates tips

For experts

The advanced and expert runs are what Arapahoe basin is known for! Anything off the Pallavicini lift is great with steep trees, massive bumps, cliff drops, cornices and tight turns. This is how we'd tackle it: warm up on the Beach before heading up to the Pali Chair. From here try out the bumps on Pali Main Street and then duck into the Timber Glades when you're halfway down! Once you're out of there, weave through the boulders at Rock Garden and onto Poli Wog. 

More experts tips

Find freshies

Lap Pallavinci (Pali) until East Wall opens; then, dash over to the bowls in Land of the Giants and Lower East Wall. 

Ditch the crowds

You won't see many crowds at A-Basin, but if you do, it'll probably be around the Zuma Lift, which is the only chair on the backside, or perhaps The Montezuma Bowl and mid-mountain areas. 

Non skiers

Theres no tubing, sledding, heli or catskiing in Arapahoe Basin. There is the Frisco Adventure Park nearby, but Arapahoe basin is really all about the skiing and snowboarding.

Families

For families of differing ability levels should lap the runs off Black Mountain Express which serves a range of greens, blues and black runs. Cheaper lift tickets here are a great bonus for families though bear in mind there is no accommodation or resort amentities here.

Save up to 33% when you book a Arapahoe Basin package!

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Arapahoe Basin Reviews

Very Good 4.2 / 5
based on 155 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Very Good!3.9 / 5Nov 10, 2017
GGreg
advanced snowboarder
Arapahoe basin has several benefits. Amazing runs off groomers, open early and late in the season. The mini parks I went through last season (end of 2017 winter) were fun. Would recommend for a day trip to anyone looking to get their fix early / late in the season when all other resorts are closed. Watch out for the effect of being at high... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 09, 2017
JLJason L.
advanced snowboarder
Great family resort with enough lifts / runs to keep the whole fam happy. Not crazy expensive and easier to get to than some of the larger resorts... plus party on the beach!... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Nov 09, 2017
JTJayson T.
expert skier
I love A-basin! Unfortunately after 38 years of having a season pass a divorce won't alow it. Of all the things she took from me this is the saddest. Just trying to win some sanity in the drawing. Think snow!... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Nov 09, 2017
JBJason B.
expert snowboarder
I've been coming to Abay ever since I could drive myself there when I turned 16. I average at least 20 days there per season. This season I moved to Crested Butte so I couldn't justify buying two season passes this year. I'd love to win one though because I'm already missing THE LEGEND. It would be really great to get to ride with my front range... More
Average!3.5 / 5Nov 08, 2017
WPWilliam P.
advanced snowboarder
Great resort but has been over run with new skiers that crowd the trails and create dangerous situations. Still recommended as they have the longest season in the country and the best food on a mountain I have ever had. ... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Nov 08, 2017
TBTravis B.
advanced skier
The food at the middle is the best I've ever had at a resort. The runs are steep and there is great access to extreme runs on the east wall. I love the vibe here compared to some other mega resorts... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 08, 2017
JJohn
expert skier
Legendary mountain that is a true destination for expert skiers and boarders. Montezuma Bowl, the East Wall, and the soon-to-be-open Beavers and Steep Gullies provide advanced enthusiasts with a myriad of options. Great culture too and affordable compared to other larger resorts in Colorado.... More
Average!3.5 / 5Nov 07, 2017
DDarren
intermediate snowboarder
The party mountain! It's one of the first to open and last to close, super friendly lifties and they get dumped on! One of the quickest mountains to get to from Denver!... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 07, 2017
NENolan E.
advanced snowboarder
A basin is my favorite. Small local vibe with great expert terrain The beach is a fun place to have beers and hang out. It is nice being able to ski back to your car as well.... More
Good!3.5 / 5Nov 07, 2017
RCRyan C.
advanced skier
Arapahoe Basin is one of the few ski areas in the country that has maintained a hometown, local feel over the years. There's no frills, just great skiing and an awesome vibe. ... More