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!4.6 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsJoe F.
intermediate snowboarder
Easy to get to from Denver. Parking is close to the base. Staff is friendly. Used to the bigger resorts but this still has a lot of area to ride for beginners/intermediate.... More
Good!3.6 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsTom B.
advanced skier
Awesome slopes. Great snow. Great people. Family friendly. I love Arapahoe Basin. I can’t wait for this years opening. Great place. Come and check out the great snow and slopes.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Sep 07, 2020
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsMark F.
expert skier
A-Basin has been making the correct on mountain moves for years. The new terrain expansions are scenic and challenging. The on mountain dining and special events are relevant to the areas vibe.... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsCasey B.
advanced skier
Great powder, relatively short waits for a lift, and the east wall. What else could you ask for?! The runs are great. If you like to ski the trees this is a great spot. Lift tickets are well priced.... More
Average!3 / 5Aug 19, 2020
TNTaylor N.
beginner skier
Hi! I'm Taylor Nichols from Greeley! I found this resort pretty basic but so am I. I have extremely high expectations and am very entitled. I can be a big baby when someone doesn't hold my hand through things. I was not able to work the elevator and no one would push the buttons for me. Boo hoo. Can you help me? Please call me 719-429-3077... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsRussell B.
intermediate snowboarder
Absolutely stunningly beautiful place to ski. The best inbounds terrain in Colorado in my opinion.. this place shapes you into a great skier/snowboarder. Bonus should be way less crowded this year because they split with vail.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsChristian B.
intermediate snowboarder
A basin is where I learned. It has everything from beginner runs with friendly staff, to easy, intermediate, and then advanced runs. It truly is a mountain for everyone. Small mountain feel with some really cool people makes this worth coming back to everytime. Not the biggest terrain park but that's not what this resort is about. This is my... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsBen K.
intermediate snowboarder
The best one out there the people are always friendly. It is dog friendly and a awesome mountain to board. I was just there for early season and the busses where not running yet. I was able to get rides up and down the mountain from the locals going up and down. That should tell you what kind of people hang out here. It has become my mountain to go... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsAlexander P.
expert skier
If you like steep terrain and a resort that easy to get to from Denver International Airport. This is the place to go. A-Basin has some of the best hike to terrain that you can find in bounds that really gives you a big mountain feel. The new expansion of the Steep Gullies has amazing 50 degree plus chutes too, make sure you are fit and ready to... More
Average!3.5 / 5Feb 25, 2020
Arapahoe Basin ReviewsJenni M.
expert snowboarder
Amazing skiing, super high altitude with lift access, highest in North America! Tremendous views of the valley, really steep stuff to ski and ride, backcountry options too. Friendly staff, local vibes and an a convenient restaurant too. Experts paradise.... More