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Arapahoe Basin Ski Area – Dillon

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, known locally as A Basin, is among the closest ski areas to Denver and one of the most diverse. There is a good mix of groomers, moguls, steeps, and bowl skiing.

Situated in Summit County nearest Keystone, it’s smaller than neighboring resorts Keystone and Breckenridge, but it delivers a longer season and some of the most challenging terrain in the county. Early and late season, A Basin can’t be beaten.

Terrain

Skiing at A-Basin with the Coopers, Colorado
Skiing at A-Basin with the Coopers. Photo by: Mia & Steve Mestdagh

With a summit elevation of 13,050 feet, A Basin offers some of the highest skiable terrains in North America. There are more than one hundred different trails and numerous express lifts to access the mountain, however, only ten percent of the trails are rated as beginner. One signature run, Pallavicini, is among Colorado’s longest and steepest trails.

One of the newer terrain additions to A Basin is the Montezuma Bowl, which opened in the winter of 2007/2008. It doubled the size of the resort and contains over 1000 feet of vertical. The Montezuma Bowl has a few solid groomers, a couple of tree runs, and plenty of opportunities to traverse the open bowl for fresh pow.

Arapahoe Basin Summit Lift
Summit at A Basin.

If you enjoy hiking to find your fresh lines, head over to the East Wall of the ​Lenawee Lift. From the top of the mountain, head to the giant rock face and you should see signs to begin your hike. The East Wall is not always open due to a lack of snow coverage or avalanche risk, so if you have the opportunity, check it out.

Village

A Basin Beach
A small gathering at A Basin’s parking lot, aka “The Beach”. The Beach is really popular for tailgating during warmer days.

There’s no village at A Basin, but there is a giant parking lot known as “The Beach”. It’s full of folks tailgating with beers and BBQs before, during, and after the ski day. It’s easy to find, as it is the main parking lot, all of which are free. This relaxed, laid-back vibe hits you as soon as you pull up and contributes to A Basin’s status as the locals’ mountain.

There are plenty of facilities to be found. The Black Mountain Lodge offers mid-mountain dining and there’s a large lodge at the base. 6th Alley Bar is the place to be after a long, enjoyable day of skiing the mountain. You can find it at the base inside the lodge. You can grab beers upstairs on The Perch for a splendid view.

In addition to the above restaurants, grab and go for breakfast and lunch items are available at The Legends Cafe by the base. The highest restaurant on the mountain is Il Rifugio at Snowplume, a Euro-bistro.

Arapahoe Basin Lodge
A Basin’s lodge and base area.

Shopping is limited, but there is a gift shop in the lodge with all the necessary winter gear. A Basin does not offer any lodging options through the resort. Nearby towns in Summit County, such as Keystone, Silverthorne, and Frisco, all make great places to rest your head at night.

In the summer A Basin features the Aerial Adventure Park, which has 7 challenge courses, 2 of which are good for younger kids 4-8 years old.

Read about the Top 8 Cool Hotels in Keystone.

Arapahoe Basin East Wall
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
A Basin Montezuma Bowl
Arapahoe Basin Spring Skiing
A Basin Spring Skiing
Arapahoe Basin Spring Pond
A Basin Pond Skiing
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin Easter Costumes
Arapahoe Basin Front Side
Arapahoe Basin Beginner Chairlift
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Trees
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Arapahoe Basin East Wall
Arapahoe Basin Lodge
Arapahoe Basin Beach
Arapahoe Basin Loveland Pass
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Loveland Pass Backcountry Skiing
Loveland Pass Backcountry Skiing
Loveland Pass Backcountry Skiing
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Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
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Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Jump
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Pond
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Base
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Arapahoe Basin Ski Area July Fourth
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin Chair Lift
Arapahoe Basin Black Mountain Lodge
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area East Wall
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Chair Lift
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin BBQ
Keystone River Run Village
Keystone Night Skiing
Keystone Resort Village
A Basin Montezuma Bowl
A Basin May Skiing
A Basin Pallavicini Lift
A Basin Slalom Slope
A Basin Pallavicini Lift
A Basin Spring Skiing
A Basin Chairlifts
A Basin West Wall.
A Basin East Gully
A Basin
A Basin Montezuma Bowl Trees
A Basin Lodge
A Basin Montezuma Bowl
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area June
Arapahoe Basin Beach
Arapahoe Basin Beach
Arapahoe Basin Mid Mountain
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Ten Mile Range
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Ten Mile Range
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Ten Mile Range
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Ten Mile Range
Arapahoe Basin Summit
Arapahoe Basin Humbug Trail
Arapahoe Basin Summit View
Arapahoe Basin Lenawee Mountain Lift
Arapahoe Basin East Wall
Arapahoe Basin Weasel Way
Arapahoe Basin Spring Skiing
Arapahoe Basin Treeline Terrain Park
Arapahoe Basin High Noon
Arapahoe Basin Base Lodge
Arapahoe Basin Base Lodge Upstairs
Arapahoe Basin Base Lodge Sun Deck View
Loveland Pass June Base
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Euro Grill Clear Creek

Details

Address: 28194 US Hwy 6, Dillon, CO (closer to the town of Keystone)

Phone: 888-272-7246 | 970-468-0718

Season: October – June

Lift Hours: Weekday 9am – 4pm | Weekend 8:30am – 4pm

Mountain Stats:

  • Elevation: 10,780 ft – 13,050 ft
  • Vertical – 2,530 ft
  • Ski Area: 1,428 acres
  • Number of trails: 145
  • Average Snowfall: 350 in
  • Snowmaking Acres: 125 acres

Trail Maps: arapahoebasin.com/the-mountain/trail-maps

Website: arapahoebasin.com

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