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.

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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
Superb!4.8 / 5Apr 29, 2019
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsSteve S.
advanced skier
I had the best skiing experience ever at A-basin! The views looking over that backside of the mountain is beyond spectacular! There are sections for every type of skiing, techincal, powder, beginner, you name it. The staff was super friendly.... More
Very Good!4 / 5Apr 29, 2019
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsTyler C.
advanced skier
I’ve always had a great time at Arapahoe Basin. The montezuma bowl is some of my favorite skiing in Colorado, and a generally line-less lift. Not the most family friendly as there are limited beginner runs, but always fun for anyone intermediate or better.... More
Average!3.4 / 5Apr 29, 2019
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsBrent R.
intermediate skier
A-Basin felt like a smaller resort in comparison to all other Summit County resorts I've been. What I appreciated at the time we visited, the mountain was less busy and it had a unique and quaint mountain feel. We appreciated the variety it offered and definitely noticed a difference in terrain compared to what we were used to at Breckenridge and... More
Average!2.3 / 5Apr 29, 2019
JCJoe C.
advanced skier
Good resort, but there's a ton of hype around this place with a generation of people just trying to hitch their wagons to 'the legend'. Too much snow - terrain (or whole resort) closed. Not enough snow - terrain closed. Half the terrain is a wind scoured, ice/rock wasteland for a good part of the season. Lifts are slow. But tickets are... More
Average!2.3 / 5Apr 29, 2019
JCJoe C.
advanced skier
Good resort, but there's a ton of hype around this place with a generation of people just trying to hitch their wagons to 'the legend'. Too much snow - terrain (or whole resort) closed. Not enough snow - terrain closed. Half the terrain is a wind scoured, ice/rock wasteland for a good part of the season. Lifts are slow. But tickets are... More
Average!2.5 / 5Apr 29, 2019
JCJoe C.
advanced skier
Good resort, but there's a ton of hype around this place with a generation of people just trying to hitch their wagons to 'the legend'. Too much snow - terrain (or whole resort) closed. Not enough snow - terrain closed. Half the terrain is a wind scoured, ice/rock wasteland for a good part of the season. Lifts are slow. But tickets are... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsBill S.
intermediate skier
Been to Arapahoe basin a little while ago. They were Legit slopes, friendly workers and staff. Overall an awesome ski lodge. Fair price and easy access. The food and drink were fair prices.... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Feb 18, 2019
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsMatt M.
expert skier
One of my favorite mountains in Colorado for the awesome terrain, great snow and unique culture. Early season gets crowded, but it is a great atmosphere and lots of great skiing to be had.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Feb 18, 2019
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsTyler J.
advanced skier
Awesome spot. It always feels very locol to me. I like how there's not a big terrian park and bc of that your forced to find natuaral features and broaden your imagination how to use them. The hike up to the peaks is always a blast too. Beginners be warned.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Dec 27, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsAnthony G.
intermediate snowboarder
Arapahoe basin is a great resort slopes are always good. Never had any issues. The lifts are always running smoothly every time I went up there . And all of the staff is respectable and will help as best they can . LOVE ABASIN... More