Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin or simply, the Basin) is a ski area for
Alpine skiing high in
White River National Forest of the
Colorado Rocky Mountains. Arapahoe Basin is also known for its especially long season?often staying open until early July, whereas most other northern ski areas close in early May. Arapahoe Basin is located on the west side of
Loveland Pass on US 6 highway in
Summit County.
Arapahoe Basin is an alpine ski area in the Rocky Mountains of the
United States, in the White River National Forest of Colorado. A-Basin (or simply, "the Basin") is known for its extended season—often staying open until early July, whereas most other northern ski areas close in early May. Arapahoe Basin is located on the west side of
Loveland Pass on US 6 highway in Summit County.
Ski Area Information
Lodges
A-Basin has three day lodges. At the base is a full cafeteria, bar, and coffee bar. There is also a grill outside for warm days. At the peak of the
Norway and Lenawee lifts is the Snow Plume refuge, a warming hut with tables and restrooms. New for the 2010-11 season, A-Basin opened its first high speed detachable quad lift named The Black Mountain Express. The Black Mountain Express takes the place of the Exhibition Lift which was retired at the end of the 2009-10 season and runs nearly the same path. At the top of the Black Mountain Express, Black Mountain Lodge sits, serving an Alpine Bistro style menu.
Terrain
Though it is mostly known for advanced and expert terrain, A-Basin also has runs for the novice and intermediate skier, as well as a children's program. The Black Mountain Express, Molly Hogan, and Molly's Magic Carpet lifts service easy runs. The Molly Hogan is a slow lift running over the bunny slope, for use by those just learning to ski. Black Mountain Express services greens, blues, and two blacks: one named for the lift, and The Gulch which runs parallel to Black Mountain Express.
Elevation
- Base: 10,780 ft (3,286 m)
- Summit: 13,050 ft (3,978 m)
- Vertical rise: 2,270 ft (692 m)
Trails
- Skiable area: 900 acres (3.6 km2)
- Trails: 105 total (10% Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg easiest, 30% Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg intermediate, 37% Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg advanced, 23% Ski trail rating symbol-double black diamond.svg expert)
- Longest run: 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
- Average annual snowfall: 350 inches (890 cm)
Lifts
- 7 total
- 1 high-speed detachable quad
- 1 quad chair
- 1 triple chair
- 3 double chairs
- 1 conveyor lift
