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!4.2 / 5Nov 07, 2017
JMJohn M.
advanced skier
Arapahoe basin is my favorite Colorado resort! Reach the beach! Short lines and great intermediate terrain! This is a no frills, family friendly gem. I love that it is simply not pretentious, just ski baby!... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 07, 2017
MMMark M.
expert skier
A-Basin is not Vail. Its not Aspen. Its not an all inclusive amusement park, though Keystone next door comes close. A visit to Summit County isnt complete without a couple days at the Basin. Spring skiing there is amazing. And longest season in Colorado! But its just authentic. It's a feeling. ... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 07, 2017
SStefan
intermediate snowboarder
This is by far the best resort of the area specially if youre going on a day trip. Its close,accesibleand has a local friendly vibe. Its always the first one to open and the last one to close in the season. Snow quality is amazing and it just keeps getting better. I love Abasin!... More
Average!3.3 / 5Nov 06, 2017
JNJames N.
advanced skier
Absolutely love arapahoe basin. I enjoy how its a resort more than an area. Friendly staff and more than reasonably priced food and drinks as well. Great runs and just feels like a good ski day every day you go... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 06, 2017
PSPatrick S.
expert skier
ABasin is great, but it's crowded at beginning and end of season when other resorts closed. Great expert terrain and I am extremely excited to ski the new terrain. Best mountain on 70... More
Good!3.5 / 5Nov 06, 2017
BMBrett M.
advanced snowboarder
I love abasin.Always first to open. Last to close.Nught life us a little lacking.very close to denver and loveland pass. People who want a no frills old school ski mountain.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 06, 2017
JJacques
intermediate skier
A basin is by far one of my favorite resorts, it's close enough to Denver to get there quickly but far enough out of the city to be a nice quiet get away. Not only is the mountain fun to ski down but lunch and food options are great for refueling to get a full day of fun. I always try to make it up there's couple time a year. ... More
Very Good!4 / 5Nov 05, 2017
ZAZofia A.
advanced skier
I love Arapahoe Basin - it's our go-to for the early and late season, plus any day that they get powder. Though it's isolated from any sort of town or lodging, it's the closest resort to Denver on the epic local pass and great for all difficulty levels. I love the 8-month-long season and the overall culture of this resort over others nearby. ... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 05, 2017
DSDavid S.
advanced null
Abasin is one of my favorite resorts, I especially like their extra long season. They're also adding some new terrain which is great! Good for all levels but not many runs for beginners. Parking can be a pain on busy days so best to arrive early if possible.... More
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 29, 2017
TTanner
Very fun resort, of course one of the first to open too! Such a great resort especially for how close it is to Denver as well! I can't wait for the snow to pick up, most resorts are icy to begin with!