Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Ski Resort Guide: Reviews, Ratings and Stats
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Arapahoe Basin Ski Area reviews & ratings
4.5 (33 reviews)
Ranked 47th of 155 Ski resorts
4.45 (33 ratings)
Overall Rating
4.57 (30 ratings)
Value for Money
4.07 (28 ratings)
Après Ski
4.61 (31 ratings)
Off Piste
3.43 (30 ratings)
Eating Out
2.60 (20 ratings)
Accommodation Options
Ski Resorts>USA>Colorado>Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
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Overview

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Colorado, often called "A-Basin," is known for one of the longest ski seasons in North America, often stretching from October to June. The resort boasts a high elevation and diverse terrain, catering to both beginners and experts. A-Basin is celebrated for its challenging steeps and deep powder areas, attracting adventurous skiers. The laid-back, no-frills atmosphere makes it a favorite among locals. The resort offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, enhancing the skiing experience. Its famous “Beach” area at the base provides a unique tailgating experience, where skiers often gather for barbecues and socializing. The ski area also features a range of après-ski options and dining experiences.

Resort Stats

Ski Terrain
10Beginner Runs
29Intermediate Runs
71Advanced Runs
35Expert Runs
1.5 milesLongest Run
1428 acresSkiable Terrain
125 hectaresSnow making
Elevation
13050 feetTop
10780 feetBottom
2270 feetVertical Drop
Lifts
5Chairlifts
Lift Pass Costs
$1201 day
Weather
277 inchesAverage annual snowfall

Getting There

Airports

  • Denver International (DEN) 90KMs 105min drive

Train Stations

  • Denver Union Station (Denver, CO) 100 / km 90m drive

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Reviews & Ratings

Overall Rating: 4.5
Ranking: 47th of 155 resorts
4.45 (33 ratings)
Overall Rating
2.32 (28 ratings)
Snow Parks
4.57 (30 ratings)
Value for Money
4.07 (28 ratings)
Après Ski
3.84 (31 ratings)
Family Friendly
4.61 (31 ratings)
Off Piste
3.43 (30 ratings)
Eating Out
4.36 (33 ratings)
Tree Skiing
3.82 (33 ratings)
Groomed Runs
4.22 (32 ratings)
Mogul Fields
4.33 (33 ratings)
Powder Zones
4.44 (32 ratings)
Quiet Slopes
4.18 (33 ratings)
Lift Efficiency
4.20 (15 ratings)
Ski School Quality
2.60 (20 ratings)
Accommodation Options
3.33 (3 ratings)
Intermediates
4.50 (10 ratings)
Advanced
4.60 (20 ratings)
Experts
5.00 (1 ratings)
Snowboarders

All Reviews

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John - expert skier
Apr, 30 - 2024
ABasin is a skiers mountain and truly legendary. The Beavers, East Wall and Steep Gullies are my favorites. The hike to/ hike back terrain is highly challenging. Zuma bowl is unequaled above tree line off piste skiing for the expert skier.
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Christopher Choi - intermediate skier
Apr, 28 - 2024
This is an advanced resort with steep slopes and options to ride couloirs. Definitely not beginner friendly. Although you get dramatic terrain, beautiful views, and a long season of skiing (longest in the US, I believe), the crowds are almost unbearable. Parking lots are cannot accommodate the crowds coming here during peak season, which is disappointing considering the high day pass prices charged prior to arrival. Nothing worse than being turned away after sitting in traffic and paying high prices. You can have the best or worst ski day here.
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Gregg - expert skier
Apr, 26 - 2024
Arapahoe Basin is a skiers mountain. There is no lodging option at the ski area. It is all about the skiing here. If you are looking for challenging terrain with an old school ski vibe this is the place for you. If you are just learning Arapahoe Basin offers an affordable alternative to the larger resorts. With the longest ski season in Colorado you can ski from October until June.
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Tomas - advanced skier
Apr, 26 - 2024
This resort is great if you want to ski double black runs. There are few groomers and only a small terrain park. The trees here are steep and tight, but fun on good snow days.
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Henry - expert skier
Apr, 26 - 2024
The best in Summit County . This is local paradise. The off piste is some of the best in Colorado . The is the last independent which is moving over to Alterra. Hopefully this will not cause any problems for the future
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Katie - expert skier
Apr, 23 - 2024
A basin isnt your average Colorado ski resort. As of 2024, when you pull up to the lot its like taking a Time Machine, back before the bubble chairs, the $40 hamburgers and the luxury hotels. If youre looking for aesthetics in man made features, probably not your place BUT if youre looking for aesthetics in scenery, world class terrain and authentic ski culture- youve found your place. As a local freeride coach, this is the top choice. If you consider yourself an advanced skier you can find yourself in the best freeride terrain in Colorado. If you go on a week day, be prepared for no lines (though I could see this changing after Alterra acquires in 2025). But if you consider yourself a beginner, theres still options for learned and progressing. I would avoid coming in the beginning of the season.- really anything before January to be honest. A basins early season terrain is infamously and affectionately called the White Ribbon of Death. Because its one of the first resorts to open, everyone and their mom comes to the 2 runs open. Imagine 2000 people on icy man made snow at the same time. Yeah. A basin is called the Legend for a reason. So many resorts nowadays feel like theme parks- out of touch and maybe a little fake , especially for the core community. A basin is more like camping. As we get out priced of our towns its nice to come back to a little slice of heaven, tucked away but well known. Hopefully Alterra recognizes this priceless mountain and reserves every ounce of its magic. Come here for the incredible skiing and memories, not the luxurious condos or lobster tail.
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Landon - advanced skier
Apr, 21 - 2024
Amazing powder all over the mountain. A ton of ungroomed and mogul terrain which is a huge plus for me. And the beaver bowl has some of the best steep tree runs I've ever skiid.
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Matt - intermediate skier
Apr, 19 - 2024
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Drew - expert skier
Apr, 18 - 2024
Arapahoe basin isnt the biggest mountain, but still has a lot to offer. From some great hike to terrain on the east wall, to easily accessible chutes off the beavers lift on the north side, you can find challenging and technical skiing all over the mountain. If you are looking for something less advanced, there are some really fun groomers from top to bottom. With a majority of the mountain being over the tree line, you get a feel of being in the alps. The apré-ski scene is unmatched, from barbecues in the parking lot, to fine dining at the base or at the peak. Overall, Arapahoe basin is a great mountain with so much to offer whether youre a beginner or an expert.
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Julio - expert skier
Apr, 12 - 2024
Small resort for the steep, and extreme loving rider and uncrowded feel. Visited a basin late season in spring after riding my home resorts in the cottonwoods in Utah, after a hot week of skiing mash pots by 1 pm in Utah we decided to check out a basin . Our experience was great and expectations were exceeded!!! With the resort mostly tucked away in north facing aspects and the base elevation sitting at 10000 ft + we were finding good dry cold hard packed powder all day . Our favorite part of the mountain was the pallavinci chair for experts, this chair access steep continuous fall line skiing in chutes, gullies , and trees that harbor the best snow. If your up for the more extreme aspects of a basin they offer the THE EAST WALL and THE STEEP GULLIES. The East wall offers hike to access to ski some of the gnarlier chutes and runs off this behemoth wall.The steep gullies are lift accessed but require a 30 min hike back to pallavinci lift. We had the honor to have a ski patroller ski the gullies with us and show us around!!!( pop in to the ski patrol hut top of palli chair and ask for steep gullies conditions, and you might get lucky!!)these 40 degree plus chutes are amazing and visually stunning but challenging!!!! Overall Id say a basin is a skier/riders mountain with a lot of extreme terrain, great high alpine snow and pretty good apres scene( reserve spots on the beach so you and the fam can soak up the sun while grillin n chillin slope side!!!)no lodging at a basin which seems like it keeps the crowds down with the nearest accommodations in keystone, frisco or Dillon which are with in 30 to 45 min away . Great mountain !!! Thanks A basin!!!

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