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Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Category: Hotels & Travel Ski Resorts Ski Resorts [Edit]
28194 US Hwy 6Dillon, CO 80435
(970) 468-0718
30 reviews for Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
30 reviews in English
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Review from Sarah S.
4/9/2012
After skiing this resort a ton last year and then visiting again this year, the place simply rocks. The crowd is laid back and local and NICE in a way you don't get these days at the more uppity resorts. And even with high winds and end-of-season snow that rendered much of the mountain un-skiable, it's still my fav. The live mountain music on a Friday afternoon was easy on the ears, too!
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Review from Jacquie N.
Miami, FL
1/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
As an Arapahoe Basin season pass holder you are entitled to many ski area benefits. When you received your pass you were given a season pass benefits card; we would like to clarify a misprint on the card. A-Basin season pass holders are entitled to one $40 class lesson which can be taken Friday, Saturday or Sunday at 9:55am. This $40 class lesson is not available Monday - Thursday. When you are ready to take your lesson please call 888-ARAPAHOE to make your reservation.
All A-Basin passes included the following benefits:
One $40 Half-day Class Lesson with the A-Basin Snowsports School (for pass holder only, Fri-Sun only)
10% off Food and Beverage (excluding the 6th Alley Bar)
10% off retail at Arapahoe Sports
5 unrestricted days at Bear Valley, CA. for the 2011/12 season
1 unguided day at Silverton Mountain
Discounted tickets for friends and family
$10 off performance tune (valid all season)
A-Basin Charge are valid on these passes
My friends (in the know) said this was the best deal in town for the area. We worked out the kinks and had a great time here. Tough snow year so far, but the runs that were open were plenty fun. Will do my very best to come out here as much as possible. -
Review from J K.
Denver, CO
3/6/2012
I love this place. Chill, laid-back, relaxed... whatever you want to say, however you want to put it, this is the place. No snot-nosed, preppy douchebags with $5000 worth of gear who think they own the mountain because they decided to stop at a "blue-collar" ski area instead of driving to Vail. Everyone is nice, fun, caring, helpful, and just RELAXED. Awesome to ski-in, ski-out, and I can go from street clothes without and gear, to on the lift within 15 minutes, from car to lift. Love it!
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Review from Dani S.
Los Angeles, CA
6/2/2011
Yes, I'm still snowboarding and it's Memorial Day!
For my 32nd day on the mountain this season, I decided to make it special and hit up A Basin. Conditions are crappy since it hadn't snowed in days and many lifts were closed. BUT, I have to say the view from the top was spectacular!
I took a couple tumbles on the slick steep icy runs but definitely earned bragging rights - I snowboarded Mem Day! woohoo! -
Review from Janet O.
Awesome place we stopped on our way back to Denver. Tons of fresh powder! One of the two places blessed with buckets and buckets of snow.
Doesn't seem to be a touristy place. Full of locals! Love it! It's smaller but more advanced terrain than the rest but A-basin is now my new fave!Listed in: Hiking/Backpacking/ Day Hikes/…
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Review from Amanda T.
1/31/2011
I went to A Basin for the first time yesterday and it kicked my A$$-in a good way! I'm really feeling it this morning.
After we got off the Black Mountain express we were speaking with one of the guides and he helped us figure out what runs to start with. He also explained that many of the greens were like blues at other resorts and their blues were more like the other's blacks.
I started with a couple of their Blues and yes, they definitely were more challenging than Breck and Copper, but I'd say on par with Loveland. I love how open the mountain feels with the exception that I think it's easier to stray off your trail-I ended up on a black-twice. That said I was able to make it down both times without a spill so it was a confidence booster!
During our lunch break we dined at the Black Mountain Lodge. The food was tasty and reasonable. Plus it's a great place to eat al fresco on a nice day like yesterday. Most of the parking is free and right by the lifts.
I'm definitely a fan and plan to return several times this season.Listed in: Skiing!
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Review from Brian B.
Bronx, NY
2/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went to A-Basin back in 2008 and I'm headed back in a few weeks! I lost my goggles there on my first trip (must have dropped out of my helmet in the parking lot), so that sucked. But I purchased new goggles there and got to riding. One of the best experiences ever. The terrain there is unbelievable! It also didn't seem like much of a tourist place, which was great. Wasn't crowded at all (weekday).
Can't wait to board my flight and get back there...counting down the days. -
Review from Kmberly B.
Denver, CO
10/22/2008
Nothing spells classy like standing in line opening day with a PBR in hand waiting to get on the lift.
What can I say about a ski area that is open around 240 days a year... I actually moved to Colorado to snowboard so this works out brilliantly for me!! The season goes from October - June and though the runs are shorter and in the beginning and end of season there are only a few runs open it still rocks.
A-bay is like a party for local snowboarders without the madness of tourists or a plethora of little kids. Don't get me wrong I love kids, but not when I'm carving down the mountain! There's easy-difficult terrain and if you're willing to hike a little there's always fresh powder to be found!
The parking lot is an all day tailgate event so if at any point you want to take a break, go down and hang with old friends, or make new ones! The parking lot is super convenient so you can easily run back to the car to change gear, eat lunch or drink a beer.
It's good riding with laid back peeps... just watch for the lines on the weekends!Listed in: Snowboarding Mountains
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Review from Shiho F.
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Updated - 8/6/2008 1 photo
I change my mind. I woke up during my second season in CO and realized A-Basin is my favorite place to ski. Yeah it's smaller then the rest but it's also steeper. It's where the locals go and there is nothing better than hitting up a few Bloody Mary's while you are there. The new back bowl called Montezuma is pretty sweet, kinda mellow but if you are into it, you can climb the face of the mountain. Uh no thanks, the thought of hiking with ski boots on while holding skis makes me nauseas but I hope to have the balls to do it someday.
Oh the only place that I like more that A-basin is Steamboat and that is only because of the unique snow conditions they have.Listed in: Best of '08, Snow Daze in Winter Wonderland
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/7/2006 First to Review
I moved to Denver in May and got to check out the last day or 2 of the ski season. Die hard fans… Read more »
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Review from Gitana G.
Arvada, CO
3/9/2009 3 photos
It just keeps getting better.......with age (63 years old this year.) The mini-makeover helped. Black Mountain Lodge (mid-mountain) opened up in 2007 and yes, a change for the future. Montezuma bowl is the bomb; windy at top most of the time but opens up to ridge, mogul and tree skiing.
YES!
- Incredible Alp-like views
- Where the locals hang out
- The parking lot is dang close
- Smallish
- Basic; still rustic (sort of)
- At the base of the Continental Divide (literally)
- Ridge skiing
- Blue, blue skies
- Spring skiing
-"The Beach" - where else can you ski up to your tailgate?
- Dogs allowed (on a leash)
- A good value
- Apre ski deck close to the action
- Friendly staff
- Early season open
- Late season close
- Family friendly
- Challenging; No matter how good you are, the terrain at A-Basin can chew you up and spit you out.
Drawbacks:
- Slow lifts
- Some of the runs ARE pretty damn short
- Chairs not always running
- Effing windy at times
- Huge flat open areas (keep your speed up)
A-Basin - "Ski the Legend"
Chill, bro. -
Review from Bianca K.
Houston, TX
2/27/2009
A Basin is one of the smaller, more 'underdeveloped' resorts in summit county which means you pay a lower lift ticket rate ($65 at A Basin compared with $92 at Breck and an amazing $101 at Aspen.. yeah sure its Aspen but holy cow someones finally broken that sacred $100 mark!) and you'll get more time on the snow (not directly off I70 = shorter lines) .
The opening of Montezumas Bowl has given this resort an 80% increase in terrain which will keep you occupied for hours however its the first area to close if there isnt enough snow.
A snowboarders paradise. -
Review from Rob W.
2/25/2009
My favorite mountain in Colorado, but I never made it to Crested Butte. Some of the steeper more interesting terrain that I've seen. I wouldn't call this mountain user friendly since its pretty bare bones in the amenities, so if you're a beginner or intermediate, just stick Keystone.
Great tailgates at the end of the year, 'specially july 4. -
Review from Evey M.
7/24/2009
I rode A-Basin last season with my arm in a sling from being dislocated and tearing all the tendons and I have to tell you I was not impressed but I'm willing to attribute a lot of that to my arm. Although it's pretty awesome getting the thumbs up from the liftees for being insane or stupid enough to go shredding in a sling.
It's pretty awesome that they stay open until June and open early in October/November. You have to love that and I do. So when the season kicked off in eary October you know I was there. I've been up almost every weekend since and I have to say A-Bay is starting to grow on me.Listed in: Best Snowboard Resorts In My…
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Review from Emma L.
1/23/2010
Mother nature lined up its stars for me on the day I visited A-Basin and made me yelp about how ARAPAHOE BASIN is my favorite ski resort. It is definitely no frills which is completely fine when your runs are powdery and awesome.
I love you Arapahoe Basin! -
Review from sarah b.
10/19/2009
Where else in Colorado can you ski up to your bbq? LOVE IT! I have a lot of fun here!
If you ever want a chance at that mug? You better get there opening day! the sell out FAST!
Can not wait till it snows more! -
Review from Becky S.
Campbell, CA
1/7/2009
I LOVE this place. And since moving away from Colorado, it is on the top of my list of places to visit during my Christmas trips home.
A-Basin is small, and it is steep as everyone comments, but beginners should not be scared. If you wanna stay on the bunny slope all day it is only $15, you cant beat that.
Why I love A-Basin:
Get there a little early so you can back your car up right to the slope, bring a full cooler a mini grill and your tunes. Get the kids in an all day lesson, they are reasonably priced, then put your skiis on and you can take off right from your tailgate, and usually dont have to wait in line. After a nice long day of tearing up the hill you can ski right back to your car, take off over Loveland pass on your way home to beat a little bit of the Keystone traffic and wala: a great day!
(Disclaimer: If you are afraid of heights and or get car/altitude sickness you may not want to take Loveland pass home, that road freaks me out.) -
Review from Kate G.
Thankfully I have progressed from the Wrangler and have learned there is a lot more about A Basin to enjoy...and plenty of steep runs without any flats. The Glades is super fun but short enough for someone like me who only has the cajones to spend a few minutes in the trees. I had to go down this a few times, it was entertaining to watch my friend slide down on her butt trying to miss all the trees! The views from the top of the lifts further up the mountain are amazing. The new express chair is fast and even when the lift lines get long (like they did on Saturday - holiday weekend), they still move quickly and efficiently without people cutting or getting out of order. Why can't anyone else get this right? Smelling the BBQs at "the beach" from the lift is torture. Lunch in the lodge is ridiculously cheap and the spicy bloody marys are top notch. You can get waffle fries, regular fries AND sweet potato fries! I'm really only looking for carbs and booze while breaking for lunch but if meat is your thing, my friends had seriously ginormous BBQ platters for I think $13 - two types of meat, fries, a side (mac and cheese!) - it literally filled a cafeteria tray. Take THAT Vail Resorts! And the apres bar scene is a little less cheesy than the other mountains. Though we did meet someone claiming to film for Warren Miller, hmmm...
I'm kind of dying to go back and I hope by the end of the season I can actually hike up that ridge and try some real bowl action. I'm sorry I didn't make it here once last season and won't make that mistake again.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/1/2010
A Basin holds a spot in my heart because this is where I spent most of my first season. Oh Molly… Read more »
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Review from Brett C.
Denver, CO
4/26/2011 2 photos
Affordable and the kids like it. It's worth the stop to do for a day. The facilaties are getting dated.
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Review from Jean Claude C.
CA
12/4/2007
Old school fun ! This is the place for good skiing; affordable skiing and a great mountain. My wife is a beginner she really liked her ski instructor, Amy Akerman .
The Beach ( the parking lot with the tailgate action) is entertaining . We always have a good day there. I just love that this place is about the skiing and not about what people are wearing, etc. -
Review from Kathleen A.
Denver, CO
4/30/2008
The runs are way too short. However, the Beach is always hoppin and if you get to the top of the mountain overlooking Montezuma Bowl you will get the most killer views of the Rockies on a clear sunny day. There's nothing special about this place, but that's what makes it so great! No tourists or gapers. Just skiing and riding.
Listed in: Why I live here.
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Review from ellyk E.
San Francisco, CA
12/11/2006
This place is STEEP if you want it to be. You can also get lost in the trees, bring a keg to the slopes, park your car on the snow (if you get there early enough and have a cute puppy to seduce the parking lot attendants with), bring your own little BBQ for lunch, set up lawn chairs and have a decent party of a ski day. Always one of my favorite Colorado resorts - no frills, just hills.
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Review from Andrew W.
Grand Junction, CO
Usually the earlier resort to open up in North America other than Alaska. Love it!
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Review from Penelope W.
San Francisco, CA
3/1/2007
Actually, I totallywould slide these heady cliffs BUT the rest of this mountain? Are you joking? This is, like, east coast stylie or something. These runs wont take you more than a minute, but lacking the fire-and-beer aspect of New Hampshire half-pipe comps. So...only if your desperate, your back country, your late season (open well into July), or your tailgating...or Keystone is closed...or I-70 is closed and your were forced to take Loveland pass and you are a tourist and don't know that Loveland would be the better choice....or if you are SICK. So chk. it out! You wont/will be disappointed.
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Review from Ryan Z.
Roseville, CA
12/23/2009
Just about the only time I go here is for opening day, as it's always (usually) the first resort open in the US. The white ribbon of death, oh how I miss thee. On the plus side though, they have much cheaper ticket prices compared to other resorts in the area, and with the new lift servicing Montezuma Bowl back country skiing is just a ski lift away.
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Review from Michel T.
Fort Collins, CO
5/9/2008
One of the best ski areas around. Don't come here looking for Starbucks or any of that nonsense. The Basin is all about having fun and ridin' sweet terrain. Come here and if you know what you are doing you will have a great time. If you suck, just stay at the Beach and have a beer.
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Review from Don G.
Golden, CO
5/17/2009
OK, any place I can ski in late May already gets 3 stars just for existing. Add in snowpack that just doesn't quit, some fun cornice drops off the East Wall, and the scene/vibe at the beach and you've got a winner. My only gripe is a personal one: when I hit the mountain, I want to get a lot of vertical -- and the lifts here are s-l-o-w. At least there's awesome scenery to enjoy while waiting for the next run. A-Basin is A-OK.
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Review from Kristin M.
Denver, CO
1/10/2008
It is the only Summit County "resort" worth visiting for those of us that know how to ski/ride. Unless you want to hit up some back country. Gotta love the alleys, than finish the day off with 6th alley! perfect
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Review from Monika K.
12/23/2010
2nd place I've ever skiied in my life and it was magical! friend got a 4 pack one day pass at Costco for a deal, she told us stories about beaching it at the basin and wish to experience this first hand some day soon! slopes were powerdy and groomed, even went down a blue on my 3rd day skiing ever, AWESOME! the Lodge is freaking great too! I dream of coming back ASAP
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Review from Dieter J.
Omaha, NE
3/11/2011
Just great. The new Montezuma bowl added so much depth to the place. Lots of open, high altitude skiing. Better lifts now. The new mid mountain restaurant was just great. So much better value and food than the surrounding resorts. I'll leave of a 5th because it's still a small resort overall.
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Review from Zack H.
Los Angeles, CA
2/4/2009
I will be in Denver,CO in a few weeks on a Saturday. I want to go to Arapahoe Basin and ski on Saturday. How long can I expect the drive to take to get there if I leave in the morning around 10am? Also, what about the drive back to Denver around 4 or 5pm? Any suggestions?
