Arapahoe Basin

Ski resort · Summit County

Arapahoe Basin

Ski resort · Summit County

3

Keystone, CO 80435

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Long season, expert terrain, spring skiing, tailgating, lessons  

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Keystone, CO 80435 Get directions

arapahoebasin.com
@arapahoe_basin

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Keystone, CO 80435 Get directions

+1 888 272 7246
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Aug 22, 2025

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@cntraveler

Where to Go Spring Skiing in North America

"Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. Located 65 miles west of Denver in Summit County, A-Basin is practically synonymous with spring skiing in Colorado."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-to-go-spring-skiing-in-north-america
View Postcard for Arapahoe Basin
@cntraveler

What to Expect at U.S. Ski Resorts This Winter

"Offering unlimited skiing by reducing the number of season passes sold."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-to-expect-at-us-ski-resorts-this-winter
View Postcard for Arapahoe Basin
@cntraveler

How Colorado's Arapahoe Basin Is Approaching Ski Season This Year

"Arapahoe Basin, a small indie in Colorado known for its long season, expert terrain, and raucous après tailgating, was able to put new safety protocols in place and briefly resume operations in May, upholding its reputation for being open later than any other outfit in North America."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-colorados-arapahoe-basin-is-approaching-ski-season-this-year
View Postcard for Arapahoe Basin

MtZ Reviewz

Google
Fantastic and has the best spring skiing around considering how late they stay open! Might be the only place around, but it presents fully open as if it’s the middle of season. Friendly and helpful staff, easy parking and shuttle, quick access to restrooms, food options, and almost a beach like atmosphere at this stage of the year!! (May-June). Reduced pricing too- can’t beat great skiing, short lines, low traffic!

Brianna Walden

Google
The first colorado ski resort to check off my list; I spent two days here and it was awesome. My snowboarding instructors Casey and Philip are amazing. 10/10 thanks for everything, guys! 💙 If you're a beginner snowboarder, request them for sure. Check in and rental process was quick and easy. Good atmosphere and terrain was well groomed. Beginner friendly runs, as well as challenging ones. Lift attendants were helpful. Not too busy and no long lines on a tues-thurs. Love the tail-gate vibes and music. Lastly, if you go to the restaurant, order the Hot Apple Pie. You're welcome. #balance&composure

Joseph Zhang

Google
It's a great place to ski. The ski area opens in late fall all the way to early summer. Great view at the mountain top and good live music at the base. Parking is limited because many people will be there. Go there early to get parking closer to the lift.

Kelly H

Google
We had a great time visiting A-basin in late May- after Memorial Day! So excited they were still open. 🎿 The rental shop was great- personalized service by Nick & Rebekah. They set us up with some great gear to use. 🎿 It’s been a while since we’ve skied, we loved the convenience of keeping our lift ticket in our pocket, vs the old skool tags that were scanned at the lift. Great prices, no crowds & free parking for Spring!!!

Chao Chen

Google
Skiing here over Memorial Day weekend is an amazing experience. The two open lodges serve food that surpasses the quality of most other ski resorts, adding to the enjoyment of the trip. Even in late May, the snow remains in excellent condition, making for a fantastic ride down the slopes. One thing to keep in mind: ski lifts may shut down for 30 minutes after a lightning strike. If the weather is unforgiving, you could end up waiting half the day with your boots on. But beyond that, there's little to complain about when visiting the only ski resort still open at the end of May.

Kipp Elsbernd

Google
Great intermediate to expert terrain, elevation makes spring skiing pleasant. My old family of six people had a great day skiing. Not a fancy place but a skiers' paradise.

Katlynn Cha

Google
We had a large group visit for snowboarding and for most of us it was our first time ever experiencing snow sports. The staff was very helpful, friendly, and informative when helping us size our boots and assisting us with our snow gear. Great beginner slopes and a small beginners routes to try. While I wasn't able to try the bigger slopes for my first visit, I hope to return to this location again to try it out! Our stay here was from about 12-5pm!

Michael Kisner

Google
We skiied 3 mountains last week and was my favorite. Wednesday and hardly anyone there! Great lifts and runs were in great shape. Easy kiosk for your lift ticket when purchased online (cheaper in advance). The restaurant is awesome!
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Melanie N.

Yelp
First time in CO and this mountain did not disappoint!! The runs are very very long, and the terrain is very back country-esqe. Loved the fact that runs are super spaced out so you never really are running into people. Each run is about 1-1.5 miles, according to my tracker app, so I do believe that this mountain is for midlevel/intermediate skill level and up. I can see a beginner struggling here, mainly because of the terrain. I also love the peacefulness of the mountain, not loud in any way and you can really just ride and soak up the nature, just be prepared to get tired lol Staff is friendly, and there's lots of parking available...came @1130 and snagged a spot in the free parking lot. We came on a weekday, so it was just first come first serve and free parking.
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Meechelle F.

Yelp
This my first time here and it was nice. I didn't come to ski tho. Here for work with the hubby. We were greeted upon entering and staff was super friendly and attentive. The food was great and the atmosphere was very relaxing. Although I didn't get a chance to ski because we were there for work it looked really fun... They do lessons for adults and kids. I know the kiddos would love to come and try it out. So until next time.
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Kevin T.

Yelp
I was able to find some stickers for $5-$10 and I was able to find a hat for about $35. They let you use your Ikon pass here for 10% discount. The service is quick because there were two cashier's available to check out. The shop is small but it's perfect size for what you need to buy!
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Peter M.

Yelp
A-Basin is one of my favorite mountains in Colorado, even though I broke my leg there in 1981. The terrain is stunningly beautiful, but notably more challenging that the typical resort style ski area. A favorite of locals, it's small and undeveloped (as in no giant condo complexes) base makes it a skier's hill, not a tourist trap. With a ton of terrain now open on the back side as well, it's got a little something that everyone can enjoy. Want to jump off a huge rock? Check. Want to hike up and ski an avalanche chute? Check? Want to reserve a spot and grill at the base? You bet. A great price for what this place delivers, and the staff is terrific!
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Allen S.

Yelp
The customer service was 6 or 7 star. Great affordable mountain in Summit County. We went during a cold snap, 3 days with highs of 6, -6, and 24 degrees. I was taking my daughter snowboarding for the first time. We got some practice runs in the first day but realized -6 wouldn't be fun at all, so we asked if we could get a refund for the second day, skeptical because most ski areas won't, but they did! The bunny hill back to the lodge is a little bit of a hike. If you don't get off the bunny hill they do allow you to ride up the lift to the mid lodge, great food, good conversation, great bartender up there.

Rg S.

Yelp
Well it's official... the "Profit Whores of Alterra" have destroyed A-basin once and for all. In early May, they started shutting down terrain, specifically Zuma Bowl, "for safety". We joyfully skied in far more marginal terrain later in the year. What really happened is they were laying off staff, namely patrollers and lifties and shutting down the upstairs bar to cut cost. Now instead of going into the season as late as possible, which has been the tradition, the Profit Whores of Alterra had decided that after this weekend (6/1/2025), there will only be open two more days next weekend, regardless of how much snow they get or what remains on the mountain. This is a slap in the face of the way A-basin has been throughout the years! It's all about profits and executive bonuses from now on. A-basin is officially dead and killed by Alterra. Pretty soon they'll start building condos and a resort complex so that the out-of-state wealthy have yet another place to go to in Colorado! They are already planning two gondolas that cater to lower intermediates. That ain't for locals... RIP A-Basin!
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Dani S.

Yelp
Bumping up to 5 stars. Recent experience was wonderful! Did 2 days here on recent trip and it was great! Super mellow chill vibe. Everyone on the mountain was soooo nice. And The new Beaver area is amazing. Very empty in that part of the mountain and the brand new lift chair is great. No lift lines and empty runs. The lodge at the bottom is super chill and very down to earth. Lots of locals hangout and ride here. Super cool. The mountain is beautiful and big. Plenty of variety for everyone of all skill levels to enjoy. Highly recommend.
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
Arapahoe Basin aka A Basin is great. The ski/snowboard lessons & lift tickets are relatively affordable in the area. I LOVE the parking lot situation - free, plentiful, and if you arrive early enough - you can ski to your car. Clean bathrooms, well managed facilities, wonderful rental gear staff who give you little tricks and are happy to constantly swap it out if you get the demo package. We did the 3 pack of private lessons which is a great deal. It's not overly crowded. The instructors were fantastic. Terrain unfortunately is very steep even on beginner runs - so this place does lean towards the more experienced. All the staff running the lifts and in the registration desk area were super nice. I had a great time - I may choose a different location if I were with a beginner-leaning group - but definitely will be here to shred some snow in the future! The gift shop is pretty cute - it's the only place you can buy A-basin official merchandise. Unfortunately you cannot leave your gear overnight currently unless they open up the seasonal lockers.
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Amanda J.

Yelp
A staple resort on the Ikon pass, lots of pros and cons to this mountain. Parking is a pro AND a con, they fill up quickly and sometimes you will drive all the way there to find there are not many parking spots left. Parking is limited so the lift lines and the mountain general never feel that crowded. Amenities are limited, the places where you can eat/drink, pee, can get very crowded depending on the time you go. Weather, something the resort obviously can't help but 95% of the time, the wind is whipping you right in the face. At the top, visibility can be tough, the slopes are pretty steep too. Generally, this mountain's terrain isn't for beginners which can be good as there seem to be way less tourists coming here. Late season closer, A-bay is often open until June which is wild and also very fun. Beach spots are amazing...if you are lucky enough to book a spot. Overall, I like coming here if I'm looking for a shorter drive and if the weather is looking pretty good.
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Matt G.

Yelp
Lifties and staff are always friendly and the place is kept clean. I always enjoy my time skiing here with plenty of expert terrain to ski. It seems that expert terrain opens up usually later in the season so be sure to check the website for what runs are open. The ambiance of good vibes was definitely there!
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Monique Y.

Yelp
Decided to stop here after checking prices at other ski resorts/terrains. This is a top ski location with awesome prices! The drive was pretty nice and smooth. The service here was awesome! All the staff treated us nicely and were super helpful with suggestions on how to snowboard. There was hand sanitizer and limited number of people allowed in certain areas. Bathrooms were clean and picnic tables for sitting were clean. We rented shoes and a snowboard and the items were clean and great working condition. The public lockers are closed, BUT if you rent equipment you are able to purchase a locker rental for $7. This was super convenient! Tips for first time Skiers or those snowboarding: take a lesson. The prices are extremely within reason and helpful to at least learn the basics!
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William W.

Yelp
It's a push to get to 4 stars. Not that this throwback vibe place doesn't have its virtues. Scenery is beautiful and there's plenty of terrain to tire you out. But in this day and age having just 2 high speed quad lifts, one being for entry level just doesn't cut it. Especially with so many other heavy hitters in Summit County to choose from. And the price isn't that much lower. I'll give them props for free parking. Which is a rare thing these days. And the back side has an awkward funneling into a singular lift. Ehh. Employees are friendly and there is a nice food and bev station mid mountain. But, when you only have, say a 4 day window for a trip, I'm going where the high speed chairs save me time and comfort.
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Wendy M.

Yelp
We've had so many fun times at A-Basin in our four years of discovering and falling in love with snowboarding. Recently though, amid all things COVID, we recently had a refreshing morning / afternoon excursion back to A-Basin to experience their brand new aerial adventure course. What a blast! The course is nestled in the patches of trees on the property and include three different levels for adults and youth to try - yellow, green and the most difficult, blue. There are also on ground routes for little ones also. This was well thought out and creative! The staff are placed throughout the course and can help you if you get stuck, scared, or need beta for how to get through that element. Zip lines are included on all courses too! We opted for the scenic chair lift ride to the midpoint and had lunch on the mountain, in the beautiful outdoors. Fabulous way to spend a summer day! And, if the aerial adventure course isn't your thing, there are hiking trails you can explore as well as a disc golf course. Animals on a leash are also welcome!
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Brandon F.

Yelp
One of the best resorts in CO for the all-around experience I come here super frequently during the ski season. I recommend leaving Denver around 5:30-6:15 within that window to ensure you get parking a short distance from the resort and lifts. Parking lot tail gates before the lifts open are encouraged. I've also rented gear from Arapahoe to teach a family member to ski and the experience was seamless. Arapahoe is one of the most affordable resorts with lift tickets for one day are about $100-$120 and even less with the ikon pass buddy discount. The lodges and meals here are also really delicious. They have pad Thai, salads, burgers, chili, and chicken tenders that come in huge portions!!
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Taj W.

Yelp
Love this experience for my first experience with skiing. The check in process was great and everyone was so nice. We had the starter package with a training session. I only went down the bunny slope. But I look forward to coming again. Be prepared for the altitude change to take effect as you walk from the car to the starting point
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Apple S.

Yelp
Far out the better area in CO. After it was closed because of too much snow and we were forced to go to keystone resort, this place is like a breath of fresh air. Pretty spacious but you have to take your time to go higher up. I especially like the basin area but don't go if you're a beginner;) I'm a spoiled European when it comes to skiing and I still think my favorite of all places ever been are Switzerland and Austria. The slopes in Colorado seems so short compared... One big cafeteria / restaurant which was great: fast service and lots of seating: Right by the lift and parking lot.
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Adam M.

Yelp
Update: The business apologized and offered a couple of comp passes. My wife and I returned and had a fun ski day. I still don't think this is the best resort for small kids. But for just the two of us I would probably come back if in the area.
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Tim O.

Yelp
Pure skiing at surprisingly reasonable prices. Feels like Alta combined with high-alpine European elements. The double blacks here are very challenging and there is plenty of challenging terrain. This is not a mountain for beginners.
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Bruce C.

Yelp
I usually think of A-basin as a lesser resort but it's just as good, fun, challenging, well-maintained resort as any of the others. We went on a Saturday late in the season and the parking lot was packed but the resort itself wasn't too busy. The lines were manageable and the runs were good. The Beavers is a good addition to what I remember from the past times I've been here. Don't count A-basin out if you're trying to find a place to go!
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Dana W.

Yelp
So this is a local favorite mountain for a reason. Less tourists, no lines, and cheaper food and drink options in my opinion. If you are a green skier your options are very limited so be advised as u may want to go somewhere else as there is only one main ski lift and a few green runs all stemming from the main one. First lift stop drops u off at the greens then the rest are blues and up. If you are a beginner beginner, they do offer a small learning area with a small gondola lift. I personally prefer a smaller mountain and being able to ski down directly to my car so stay away so we can keep this less populated :)
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Phillip S.

Yelp
This place is great. It is physically beautiful and has great terrain, even early. A crowded day isn't as crowded as a regular day at some of the mega resorts. Everyone is generally happy and friendly, both guests and employees. I came here after listening to a podcast that interviewed some of their employees. It seems like they have a great staff and genuinely care about their customer's experience. We will be back as often as we can.

Andy Y.

Yelp
This is a review on the lesson only, not the mountain. Mountain is fantastic A+. Lessons are advertised to cater to all skill levels. I'm a high intermediate rider perfectly ok going down any terrain (sure I'll fall a bit black or double diamond but at least I'm not scared of them) . I wanted to work on park and freestyle so booked one hoping to get some instruction besides youtube. I was paired with a very nice lady who was super fun to spend time with and talk to but I didn't learn much to be honest. My takeaway was to use lower body more on spins and work on steering with knees not shoulders. Which is great, but that's 20 minutes of material. She rode in front of me most of the time so not sure if that's good for watching/feedback. She also talked me through a lot of stuff that I also already knew about snow sports in general. Anyways, I think lessons are predominantly catered to beginners. Sure, I did learn a couple of things here and there, but I was really hoping for a solid coaching session and got more of a buddy who gave a few tips here and there.
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Dave C.

Yelp
A Basin is a pretty awesome place to shred the gnar, but I wouldn't recommend it for beginner snowboarders. It's light on frills, high on thrills, without the crowds that can take over some of the other name brand mountains in Colorado. There are a TON of runs here and plenty for people of all novice to expert levels. That being said, I don't think it's a great place to learn how to snowboard outside of the amazing bunny slope. The beginner runs have a lot of flat parts and cross each other, which can be really tough when you're not good at keeping your momentum and balance on a snowboard. That being said, it is really awesome. You usually have your space on the mountain, especially in the afternoons, and there's a ton of variety to keep you entertained throughout the day. If you don't need a lot of flare and just want a lot of variety at REALLY high elevation (it can wear you out!), A-Basin is a great place to be.
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Brian W.

Yelp
A basin staff were very helpful in transferring my ski days after our flight got cancelled. Thanks! Jesse on the staff was able to do this for me. Thanks Jesse!
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Dustin D.

Yelp
Tough review for me to write considering our family has been skiing here for years. My girls learned to ski here as did I when I was young. Will sadly be the last year I support them as my experience with guest services (Shannon in particular) was so bad. I bought a A Basin/Keystone pass this year. Yesterday was my first day on the mountain, so I decided to take my old pass in to the ticket counter to make sure it still scanned as my new pass. I've had issues before so I wanted to make sure I wouldn't get stuck in line from a faulty pass. I went up to the ticket counter and was greeted by Shannon. I told her I wanted to check to see if my pass worked. She took it, scanned it, and verbatim responded to me "says partial payment I can't help you."....What??? That's your response? I asked again to which she responded exactly the same, only this time saying you purchased it through Vail so I can't help. I then showed her my purchase receipt which shows I purchased the pass and she still offered no help. Stating I needed to call them (which by the way A basin is a dead zone for your cell phone). She didn't offer me the phone, or even try to make it right by getting me a day pass! A customer has an email showing he bought a lift ticket and you do nothing to try to make it right? I then had to go back to her again which by this time Shannon was clearly irritated (keep in mind she's paid to help people). I asked her if I could use the phone to call since there's no service and she's not offering me any help. We go inside and the entire time she's making subtle little moans or grunts, like she's clearly irritated she has to help me. She then calls Vail/Epic to get my pass figured out, talks to the lady on the phone and asks her to speak to me because "she's tried explaining it to me" like I'm some moron. I then talk to Shelby on the phone, she saw the issue right away, apologized and told me she would get the clerical error fixed on her end, doesn't want to waste my time and asked to speak to Shannon again so she could get me a day pass. Shannon instantly took off the moment I was on the phone so this guest service attendant was nowhere to be found. I had to find another employee, who I briefly explained the situation to and said Vail resorts was waiting to talk to someone so they could get me a ticket. The situation is explained to the other girl, only for her to hang up and not be able to help me. I then had to go find friendly Shannon again to help. She was instantly irritated again and asked me "Why I hung up the phone with them, They need to tell me your customer ID so I can get you a ticket." At this point it was clear she was pissed she had to help me. I made it a point to raise my voice in the lobby and state "I'm sorry if I'm wasting your time, but I'm just trying to get a lift ticket that was already paid for so I can go skiing and if she doesn't have time to help me I can find someone else." At this point she grunted again, have a half ass apology and called Vail again. It was finally fixed. This experience was so awful I couldn't believe a resort would hire someone with such lack of customer service and people skills. Especially when they are rude to to locals that drive consistent business. Thank goodness for Shelby helping me or sadly I don't think I would have been able to go skiing with my pass I already paid for. The entire guest services team was honestly just kind of blah. No one made an attempt to go out of their way to help. Very disappointing. Next year A Basin is off our ski list. The mountain is amazing and one of my favorites, but no mountain is better than its peo
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justin s.

Yelp
Took snowboarding lessons for the first time here. It was a fun experience. All of the staff was incredibly helpful from soup to nuts. My snowboard instructor, Morgan, was really good. She was very patient. I hope to return one day, overall it was a great experience
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John A.

Yelp
I love A-Basin! It's easy to reach from the Denver Metro. I just take Loveland Pass over I-70's Eisenhower Tunnel. After the beautiful vistas that drive affords me I come back down the mountain and I'm there. A-Basin is picturesque. On sunny days the snow sparkles when looking down on it from the lifts. On snowy days it's even more beautiful and intense. There's so much terrain. The mountain is staffed with friendly people and there's always plenty of parking. Best of all, I get a big mountain experience without the big mountain corporate ownership of those other guys. Arapahoe Basin offers competitive lift ticket pricing, especially if you buy a multi-day pass. For many reasons Arapahoe Basin is my preferred mountain off I-70. I highly recommend it for a great experience and lots of bang for your buck.
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Claire G.

Yelp
Came here for the first time last weekend. It was pretty packed (spring break, woo), but I felt that the ski area did a good job of getting people parked, shuttled, and on the mountain for their ski time. This will be one of my go-to ski places off of I-70 in the future. I put my daughter in an all-day snowboarding lesson, and she had the BEST time. It was so easy. We were running a little behind schedule (traffic, blah blah), and A-Basin made the transition to her lesson as seamless as possible. We just had to fill out a form, sign on the line, and drop her off. They took care of her equipment fitting and getting her ready to go. It was pretty well organized. Her instructor was great and very patient with the kids. Me and a friend were able to get out and enjoy the snow ourselves. He's a much more advanced boarder than I am, but we were both able to find runs that suited our abilities. The views are great, even when snowing. There's a nice area with a couple of restaurants and a rooftop bar. Best slopeside Bloody Marys ever. Decent food and lots of places to plop down. There's free parking, and also paid parking if you arrive too late for the free parking. And then there's also The Beach for tailgating, if that's your scene. This is one of the more laidback but fun-loving ski areas - lots of people enjoying music, drinks, interesting ski attire, etc. I feel like it's kind of a "locals" place, but I would definitely take visitors here as well.
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Drew H.

Yelp
Good prices, steep slopes, beautiful views and pure local feel. A Basin literally stands above the other resorts in this area. If you are sick of the corporate greed/culture at many of the big resorts, come for a breath of fresh air at A Basin. My local mountain--Mammoth--now charges over $150, which includes crowds like Disneyland and long lift lines. It was refreshing to pay $80 for better quality. Some of the runs here are screamers. Top to bottom, you can really get some speed. Even if you don't ski, come here for the views. Beautiful!!!!

A C.

Yelp
Lift staff does not care to put the safety rod. Even after asking they care less for your safety though there are kids. Needs improvement.
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Geoff L.

Yelp
SKIING IN MAY. One of the only ski resorts that are open in the May timeframe! What a wonderful experience. I echo and support all of the previous reviewers where they share their love for this mountain and most importantly the staffers here. They are all so welcoming and accommodating. Some of the lift operators are jerks (by rushing you through) but you can't win them all. With that being said, this mountain is mainly geared for the moderate/expert levels. There are really only two (2) beginner/peaceful courses - one of which is a "bunny"/learner course. Otherwise, all the other courses are fast paced. There were some "dead" spots where my snowboard would often get stuck transitioning from one course/lift to another, regardless of where I was coming from. I figure it was my rented board and where it needed a bit more wax on the bottom. I rented my gear at the resort and I'm glad I did. I saved all my energy and time for the slopes and less on having to maintain my gear. A special shout out to Jack - he made sure everything fit perfectly and tied tightly. Not once did anything come loose throughout my ride. He and his team also made the returning process a breeze as well. From beginning to end, it was a blast and I would highly recommend! ONE PIECE OF ADVICE: wear sunscreen on your face or you'll be walking around with a goggle imprint on your face.
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Andrea W.

Yelp
I came here for snowboarding, and it was quite great! The snow quality was quite good, and I enjoyed the wide runs. There was one part that was super flat, so I couldn't go on a lot of runs otherwise I would end up on the flat area. I liked the tree runs which were quite short and good for starter tree runs, and there were nice mogul runs too. The lines were quite short and I understand why people say this is more of a local's ski resort. I also appreciated it being on the Ikon pass this year!
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Melissa S.

Yelp
Very friendly staff and excellent prices. You will pay quite a bit more if you go down the street to Keystone/River Run. The staff in the sports shop was very friendly and helpful. The staff at the counter where you rent the skis and boots was also very helpful and gave us many options that included just paying a small fee to take the lift to the top to check things out. That is a great idea if you are not 100% sure you want to use the slopes. The only downfall is they only had one slope open the day we went and it was an intermediate hill. Great bars on site, plenty of free parking.
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Barry M.

Yelp
There's a certain type of skier that loves A-Basin. Often a bit unwashed, loving tailgating and toking in the parking lot, and a life-long Coloradan with strong skills on the slopes. I am not this type of skier, and started too late in life to hit the East Wall or go down Pali in deep powder. Nor do I like to get wasted while taking my turns. Having said all this, I get to A-Basin quite a lot. Early in the season they get the spine of the mountain open and it is worth going to on weekdays October-November. I very rarely venture to A-Basin between December and March. The reason is pretty simple--it is very, very cold, especially if you want to get up to the top, and the lifts going to the top are extremely slow. A-Basin is the place to freeze your butt off in the winter. Once April arrives, the Basin is a fantastic location, and remains so through May and maybe even into the first week of June. The snows in May bring some of the best powder you will get during the season, and on weekdays the place is pretty empty save for US Ski team and other international folks training. These late spring skis probably some of the best runs I have ever had anywhere, period. Weekends in the spring are a mad house, since it's just about the only place open, so avoid. Some years when snow is less plentiful and the sun is hotter, it is just a giant slush fest but typically May is not like that. A Basin excellent place to learn to ski and to get out on the runs for the first time. The greens here can be handled by real beginners. It is way less interesting for intermediate skiers, but experts love A-Basin due to some of its challenging terrain and deep powder.
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Ken S.

Yelp
From the perspective of a lower-intermediate skier, A-Basin was a lot of fun! It was nice to find quality snow the last weekend in March. There were enough green and milder-blue slopes to keep us fully entertained for a day. Definitely there are many more advanced trails, so I expect to come back more often as we improve. We were impressed with the efficiency of the main lift. Despite a large number of skiers, the wait was never bad. We had a quality, and predictably expensive, lunch in the Legends Cafe. $4.25 for a fountain drink is excessive, but the $11 "10-8 Burger" and the $11.50 chicken tenders (with fries) were quite tasty.
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Alex H.

Yelp
ABasin is an excellent resort to escape the vacationers. Tougher runs than most resorts that you can ride, the sky is the limit for those wanting to explore. You can also grill out right in the parking lot, just make sure to read what items are allowed/not allowed. Additionally, their cafeteria is excellent for breakfast. The play is to arrive early for a close spot, grab some breakfast in the A-frame, and then gear up! Always a favorite and common spot for me!
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Joe P.

Yelp
An intimate and spectacular setting for skiing, A-Bay (as the locals call it) is located alongside the scenic Loveland Pass, a short 75-minute drive outside Denver. With a 13,000' summit, it's considered the highest in-bounds skiable terrain in North America, and usually open deep into the spring, after other Colorado resorts have closed for the season. But as I learned on a recent day trip to ski the mountain, most of its 109 trails require a competency level beyond what the average -- or certainly beginning -- skier may possess. Only about 10% (4 - 5) of the mountain's trails are considered 'easy,' and most of those Green runs will take 15 minutes or less or complete. Skiers looking for a bit more of a challenge will have to take a second lift to the summit, where the trails range from 'More Difficult' (a solid Blue) to 'Extreme'. This is in contrast to larger nearby resorts like Keystone, Winter Park or Copper, which have dozens of long Green and Moderate Blue trails for beginners to enjoy. A-Basin has a fair amount of amenities, from the outstanding 6th Alley Bar & Grille (which boasts a terrific menu of craft beers and a kick-ass burger) to the cafeteria style Legends Cafe. Lift lines move quickly, and the staff at the rental shop is helpful and efficient. Prices are more reasonable than at other Colorado resorts, with a top single-day lift ticket price of $92. Parking is also conveniently located right next to the slopes, with an overflow lot a short shuttle ride away. If you can handle the terrain, A-Bay can be tremendously rewarding. But beginning skiers would be well-advised to hone their skills elsewhere before taking on this mountain.
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James T.

Yelp
I just got a season pass to A-Basin and wow what great service from this lady in the pic. Didn't catch her name but she explained all my options and made sure I made the right choice. Thank you!!
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Elise H.

Yelp
A-Basin is my favorite ski area, hands down. The skiing is incredible and it is easy to navigate around the mountain. The non-express lifts let you relax and take in the beautiful views. The people are friendly -- not just the workers but the type of people that A-Basin tends to attract as skiers/boarders. It's always fun on a powder day to hear everyone whooping and hollering in Zuma bowl because they are just having so much fun. The food is delicious and well-priced. A-Basin is a special place and at this point feels like a second home to me in a way that the bigger resorts do not. Other tidbits: The COO Alan Henceroth runs a great blog that keeps everyone in the loop about goings on at the Basin, which contributes to the down-to-earth feeling of the resort. Also, the moonlight dinners are phenomenal.

Abby N.

Yelp
We did ski school with Coach Mac and she was amazing. I have a 3 & 4 year old and it was there first time but she made sure they had such an awesome experience. She was patient and kind and had them both skiing down the bunny slope by the end of the lesson. I was super impressed and highly recommend them for ski school. My husband did the green runs and had a blast as well. Over all a great experience from rentals to skiing and snacking.
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Janet D.

Yelp
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!
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Natasha N.

Yelp
Came here for my first and second skiing experience in Colorado, and have enjoyed it both times. I would suggest coming on a Sunday if possible, traffic will be less congested. The resort has lots of different slopes and is perfect for beginners. They have quite a few green slopes (bunny slopes) close to the lodge, and then a giant ski lift that will take you up to the more advanced slopes. Here are some tips: - If you buy two ski lessons, the third one is free - If you are buying a one day pass, try and buy as far out in advance as possible as they are cheaper that way - Give yourself plenty of time to arrive, the drive from Denver can take 3 hours depending on traffic - Get your rentals from somewhere else! I rent from Sport Rent in Westminister, they charge half the price compared to A-basin The first time I came, I did a ski lesson. It was $150 for a two hour lesson, all day ski pass and equipment rental (skis, boots, poles and helmet). It's awesome that they include helmets in their rentals and the price was the lowest I had seen anywhere. The lesson itself wasn't that great to be honest. I felt like the instructor didn't go over basics like stopping etc enough. She mentioned she is usally a child instructor so maybe that was the reason, BUT it was helpful to have someone help you when you fell (which I did a lot of). The second time I just bought a one day ski pass and had a good time. The views are gorgeous and the staff is pretty nice. I got lunch from the burger line both times and it was soooo good. I had pretty low expectations for ski resort food but it was yummy. It's pretty expensive which is to be expected but at least it tasted good. My friend got the chicken and tenders and they were really well seasoned and yummy. All in all, I've enjoyed my experiences at A-basin and plan to come back.
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Krista W.

Yelp
Best views and adventurous skiing in the Rockies. It takes my breath away, literally! They have the best powder for sure.
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Ally W.

Yelp
Snowboard here for the first time this week! And it was awesome. Beautiful view and amazing resort.
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Benjamin B.

Yelp
Guess who got mountain sickness AKA altitude poisoning? THIS GUY. It smote me reals good mister. And to be fair, I did everything wrong. Got off a 20hr flight from sea level, went straight to the highest ski resort in North America at the top of the Mile High City. Drank beers, hung out in hot tubs. Didn't drink enough water. Charged hard for two days and forgot to eat breakfast or lunch because skiing. Buried whisky and cocktails. None of which is the mountain's fault. And then, oh lawdy, I done got hit with God's 3 wood. Took me two days to recover. So, travelers, take heed. Why 4 stars, then? Because the mountain is damn awesome. High and white with runs up the wazoo. It's windy, too, just the right amount of chaos to let you know that Nature still runs the show, no matter how many chairlifts we put in. Had a cracking day here tearing it up, and even though I paid a heavy price, it was worth it because I got a great story to tell for the rest of my life. You better believe I am gonna use it right up, too.
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John P.

Yelp
This is a tough review to write, A-Basin used to be a five star locals resort with the gnar lines, friendly old time Colorado culture, family easy, and one of he best ski scenes around. But my experience there this past weekend was so bad (@ Michael and guest services) as to be a deep betrayal of a forty year customer. I've skied ABay since 75 I've logged Millions and millions of vertical there, I've skied lines well before they even had names,I've taught my kids, friends, nephews, to ski there and spent thousands thousands of dollars there. This year has been really rough my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and is now going on for her FIFTH procedure, in addition I've had to care for a mom with Alzheimer's. Needless to say picking up my pass was difficult. I finally got a break to get in a few laps and went to go pick up my pass. Guess what I couldn't do it as it was a Vail product, as I was rudely told by the A-Basin staff. "Ok fine" I said "can you just print out a two day pass?" "No I can't do that as I can only print out one pass you have to pay ten dollars as you don't have your pass". Michael said smirking on some perverse power trip under his Twins ball cap. "But my wife had cancer I haven't picked up my pass yet. Can you just print out a two day pass?" Micheal says "Sorry I can't do that as I can only give one day you have to pay ten dollars for a lost pass". "But I don't have my pass". "Sorry that'll be ten dollars"....you get the idea. Customer service particularly to loyal customers with decades of purchasing history should be job number one! Arapahoe Basin failed dismally, they were rude, condescending, and indeed was a betrayal of me and my family. Finally overall the sad reality is that the culture of A-Basin itself has declined. Its less friendly, reflecting the deep decline in civility, community, and consideration of those around you that is destroying my beloved Colorado due to our explosive population growth...you may as well just go to Breck as A-Basin is just as rude and dispassionate as any other corporate ski area.
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Aussie J.

Yelp
I really enjoyed A-Basin! My friends and I had a great time. We were able to ski most of the mountain! They have runs for every skill level. They main runs were in very shape. We will be back very soon!
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Brendan M.

Yelp
A-Basin is the most authentic and badass ski area in Summit County. Amazing views, great backside skiing, friendly riders, free parking, and surprise snow caused by the local geography. The bar has great character, beer, and food, and the ski shop is authentic. Conditions cam be variable sometimes but it gets deep and steep in the trees.
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Austin S.

Yelp
Great mountain. Not huge in terms of runs but it does have a good amount of variety. Not too bad to get parking weekdays but on the weekends you may be moved to a higher lot. Still short walk to the main plaza. Rented once and had a pleasant experience. A lot like other resorts: Register, pick up, pay. Done. Ski/Board shop was pretty full. End of the season and I just wanted a board waxing so keep that in mind. One dude was doing it all and very well. But could have used another set of hands or two. Bar and restaurant/cafeteria at the bottom. Ski and ride school. Kids magic carpet and mini beginner lift. To the far right you have the Pali lift (last visit May 17th, 2016 so fuzzy on some names) taking you up to a slightly more challenging side. Main lift at the bottom takes you right up to another restaurant and more lifts. Restaurant up in the middle bit is really good. Ample tables and good drinks. Few small snack items you can grab a la carts and then the hot food. Soup. Pasta. Salad. Sandwiches. Online and through Liftopia you can get food discounts with your lift ticket. Passes will come with a coupon for a buck off Odell beers too. Can ride down at this point or go up farther to the top. From that ride down or ride down to the back bowl. Can get windy at the top and depending on snow conditions low visibly but it's awesome ha. Big fan of the back bowl now. Tree runs. More challenging and rocky bits. Probably some of the best riding at A Basin in my opinion. Heading back down towards the plaza it's basically far left. Middle. Or far right. Signs are clearly marked so it's fun to do the same lift up and switch up your runs going down. Tree runs. North wall climbing if that's open. I try to just ride back down to mid mountain. If you go all the way back to the plaza it's a line to ride back up generally. Or ride down to Pali which is a two seater but generally empty to ride up. As far as staff and price this is a winner. Not as developed as Breck or Vail but lot of open terrain left alone. That's great to ride and the ticket price is usually two days compared to a single day at others. Epic pass includes this and the season ends May, sometimes even June so you can ride here when everywhere else is closed. Lots of locals. Short lines. Arapahoe is well worth visiting.