Arapahoe Basin
| Arapahoe Basin | |
|---|---|
| File:A-Basin logo.jpg | |
| File:A-Basin scenic.jpg | |
| Location | Colorado, USA |
| Nearest major city | Keystone, Colorado |
| Top elevation | Template:Feet |
| Base elevation | Template:Feet |
| Skiable area | 490 acres(1.98 km²) |
| Trails | 69 |
| Longest run | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
| Lift system | 6 total (2 triple, 3 double, 1 surface) |
| Terrain parks | 1 |
| Snowfall | 367 in/year (9.32 m/year) |
| Website | http://arapahoebasin.com |
Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin or simply, the Basin) is a renowned ski area for alpine skiing high in the Colorado Rockies. Max and Edna Dercum started the ski area along with the Ski Tip Lodge in the 1940s. Since its early beginning, it has expanded to include over 60 trails serviced by 5 lifts. The east wall has a summit elevation of 13,050 feet (3977m), making it the highest skiable terrain in North America. About 250,000 skiers visit the ski area annually. Known popularly as "the Basin" by locals, it has gained a reputation as a skier's paradise, although it is also known for its particularly cold days. It is also considered one of the most convenient to the Denver area, being relatively close to Denver (though other ski resorts, such as Eldora, are geographically closer).
A-Basin is located just below Loveland Pass, and therefore offers a spectacular view of the Continental Divide (which it borders) from the lifts. Due to its high altitude (at treeline) and its mostly north to northeast face, the Basin remains open for skiing much longer than most Colorado resorts, and often starts earlier as well. It has been known to stay open until July. During the warm and sunny spring season, many locals tailgate in a section of the parking lot (known as the "beach") just below the lifts.
A-Basin became the first ski resort to open for the 2006 ski season when it opened one lift, one run, and its terrain park on October 13. It was the first time in seven seasons that nearby Loveland ski area was not the first ski area open in the United States.[1]
On May 20, 2005, a skier was killed in an avalanche within the ski area at A-Basin. Although avalanche deaths are not uncommon for skiers ranging out of bounds, this was the first avalanche fatality in Colorado within a ski area since January 9, 1975, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.[2]
Ski area information
A-Basin has two '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 that sells drinks, snacks, and hot soup.
Only the Exhibition and Molly Hogan lifts service easy runs. The Molly Hogan is a slow lift running over the bunny slope, it's for use by those just learning to ski. Exhibition services greens, blues, and two blacks. One named for the lift, and The Gulch which runs parallel to Exhibition. The aptly named Exhibition run features bumps, steep terrain, and a fair number of jumps. The Palavacini lift services mostly black and double black terrain on the west side of the mountain, though it is possible to take some difficult blues back to the base. The Lenawee and Norway lifts take you to the top of the mountain, where you can access blues, blacks, and the East Wall. Opposite of the East Wall there is a blue called Cornice Run where you can take leaps off of windblown cornices, though sometimes visibility can be a deterrent.
The East Wall contains the most difficult terrain at A-Basin. An approximately 30 minute hike will take you to the North Pole, where a very steep descent through rocky terrain over avalanche blasted territory takes you down to the East Wall traverse. Most of the terrain above the traverse is prone to avalanches and is regularly blasted by the ski patrol before they declare the wall open. The traverse is quite long and accesses a lot of difficult to reach territory, leaving prime snow conditions available for those willing to make the trek.
Statistics
Elevation
- Base: 10,780 ft
- Summit: 13,050 ft
- Vertical Rise: 2,270 ft
Trails
- Skiable Area: 490 acres
- Trails: 69 total (15% beginner, 45% intermediate, 20% advanced, 20% expert)
- Longest Run: 1.5 miles
- Average Annual Snowfall: 367 inches
Lifts
- 6 total
- 2 triple chairs
- 3 double chairs
- 1 conveyor lift
References
- ^ "A-Basin opens with man-made snow" Rocky Mountain News October 13, 2006
- ^ Nicole Formosa (May 21, 2005). "Inbounds avalanche at A-Basin kills one". Vail Daily, page A3.