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

Find accommodations around here

Summit Cove (5-10 mi)

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

Find accommodations around here

Dillon/Silverthorne (10-15 mi)

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

Find accommodations around here

Frisco (15-20 mi)

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

Find accommodations around here

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!

View Arapahoe Basin packages

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!4.1 / 5Dec 04, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsAdam T.
expert skier
Great snow, nothing fancy at the bottom of the hill, great bunny hill, most likely to have good late season conditions. Terrain variety is great! The only thing going against A-basin is it's proximity to Denver.... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 20, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsKeith S.
expert skier
absolutely legendary! The most fun mountain I have ever skied in CO, it has everything you could ask for all without the massive crowds and flash of places like Vail or Keystone (both which are great as well but for different reasons). This is skiing the way it should be, beautiful scenery, excellent variety of terrain, great snow, glades to ski... More
Average!2.5 / 5Nov 20, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsJimmy C.
advanced skier
Arapaho Basin is the coolest! Their end of the year events are killer and the terrain is epic! Massive natural features and hike access big mountain on piest terrain make it so cool!... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 14, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsJason N.
advanced skier
Arapaho Basin is great for locals and visitors to the area who want to get away from the crowds. There is plenty of terrain for intermediate through expert skiers, but it is a bit limited for beginners. The parking lot next to the ski area, or "The Beach" is a great place to park, but be sure to bring your grill and patio chairs to get the most out... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 08, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsBruce B.
advanced snowboarder
A-Bay, the closest extreme ski area to Denver, They have the steeps, the trees, the wall, Montezuma Bowl and the beach (slopeside parking/tailgating/barbeque). This place is mostly hard core locals. Not really for beginners. After you get done beating up your body on the slopes at 13,000 feet. You can get great food and drinks at the base lodge or... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 06, 2018
PRParker R.
advanced snowboarder
Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) is a must visit for anyone looking for fantastic skiing or riding in the summit county area. Breck, Keystone, Copper, and Vail are all great RESORTS, but A-Basin gives the best true skiing experience. The snow and terrain are fantastic, lift lines are generally short, and it feels like your neighborhood ski resort, only 10x... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 06, 2018
CBCody B.
advanced skier
Arapahoe Basin is all about skiing! None of the other distractions or costs that come with the “big resorts.” Additionally, everyone there is very friendly and helpful on the slopes!... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Oct 08, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsAdam D.
intermediate skier
A great small resort especially if you want to take your dogs and small kids here. Super friendly family feel for a day out on the slopes. Lacks some amenities but cant really complain about that... More
Very Good!4 / 5Jun 01, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsGreg W.
intermediate snowboarder
This is a smaller resort but still has quite a few good runs. It is usually not very crowded and the snow quality is good. It is also open very early/late into the season... More
Good!3.6 / 5Apr 26, 2018
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsKris S.
advanced skier
Love this place so much! I wish I could live here. So nice to see an area that's all about the skiing, and not about all that other crap. The variety of terrain and quality of the snow is outstanding, and the employees are helpful and chill.... More