• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Caves
      • Colorado Brands
      • Escape Rooms
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Lakes
      • Landmarks
      • Mine Tours
      • Mountains
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Performing Arts
      • Public Parks
      • Rivers
      • Scenic Drives
      • Sightseeing Tours
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Winery Tours
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Jeep Rentals
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowbiking
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Boutique Hotels
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos w/ Lodging
    • Hot Spring w/ Lodging
    • Wineries w/ Lodging
    • Best Hotels
    • Dude Ranches
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area – Dillon

FacebookTwitter

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 off the โ€‹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 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
A Basin’s East Wall has some hiking opportunities for expert skiers and riders.
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
A Basin Montezuma Bowl.
A Basin Montezuma Bowl
Great views from Montezuma Bowl (Keystone and Breck in distance)
Arapahoe Basin Spring Skiing
June 26th and A Basin is still going strong.
A Basin Spring Skiing
Launching from an A Basin cornice during a warm Spring day.
Arapahoe Basin Spring Pond
July 4th pond near the summit of A Basin. Do you dare?
A Basin Pond Skiing
Spring pond skiing at A Basin.

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

Arapahoe Basin Logo

Latest in Arapahoe Basin

Colorado Ski Resort Snowmass Mountain Introspective

2022-23 Colorado Ski Resort Season Opening & Closing Dates

Every winter beginning sometime in October, the Colorado ski season kicks off with great anticipation. The…

2022-23 Colorado Ski Resort Season Opening & Closing DatesRead More

Downhill Ski Racer on Ruthie's Run Aspen Colorado

Brief Timeline of Colorado’s Ski and Snowboard History

When people around the world think of Colorado, many conjure idyllic images of skiers and snowboarders…

Brief Timeline of Colorado’s Ski and Snowboard HistoryRead More

Loveland Pass Ski Shack

Find the Ski Shack on Loveland Pass

Loveland Pass is probably the most skied backcountry terrain in all of the Rockies. On any…

Find the Ski Shack on Loveland PassRead More

Copper Mountain Ski Resort Colorado

20 Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Powder

When you say Colorado, people think of snow-capped peaks and epic skiing. And they’re right. The…

20 Best Colorado Ski Resorts for PowderRead More

View more Arapahoe Basin articles

Easter Sunday Skiing at Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Top half of A-Basin.
Arapahoe Basin Easter Costumes
Easter at A Basin brings out the finest.
Arapahoe Basin Front Side
Front side of the mountain.
Arapahoe Basin Beginner Chairlift
Beginner lift near The Beach (There is some expert terrain on far right).
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Montezuma Bowl groomer.
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Montezuma Bowl (and Keystone and Breckenridge in distance)
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Trees
Tree run in the Montezuma Bowl (you need to traverse, skier-left, from the top Zuma chair).
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Fresh lines down Montezuma Bowl (must hike/traver skier-right from top Zuma lift).
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Montezuma Bowl.
Arapahoe Basin East Wall
East Wall.
Arapahoe Basin Lodge
Main lodge restaurant and bar.
Arapahoe Basin Beach
A Basin’s Beach – This place gets packed when it’s actually warm out.
Arapahoe Basin Loveland Pass
View of Loveland Pass from A Basin
Loveland Pass Backcountry Snowboarding
Loveland pass bowls (the avalanche risk is high over in the bowls).
Loveland Pass Backcountry Skiing
Loveland Pass backcountry tree run (notice Loveland Pass – Highway 6).
Loveland Pass Backcountry Skiing
Travis tree sliding at Loveland Pass back country.
Loveland Pass Backcountry Skiing
Eyeing up a stump at Loveland Pass.
Loveland Pass Snowboarding Travis
Travis takes to the air with form.
Idaho Springs Downtown
BeauJo’s in Idaho Springs.
Idaho Springs Beaujo's Pizza
BeauJo’s Mountain Pizza dominated us.

Independence Day Skiing at A Basin

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Pond skiing at A Basin.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Pond
Big wave.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Pond Skiing
Probably not gonna make it.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Chairlift
Chairlift to the top.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Jump
Jump.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Jump
Air.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Pond
Former pond.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Base
Base.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Mountain Express
Mountain Express Lift.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area July Fourth
Peace!

Early Season Fall Snowboarding at A Basin

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Early season riding at A Basin.
Arapahoe Basin Chair Lift
Heading up the express chair to mid mountain.
Arapahoe Basin Black Mountain Lodge
The Black Mountain Lodge has a nice new bar.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Heading down to the second lift to reach the top.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area East Wall
A Basin’s iconic East Wall.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Chair Lift
The second chair lift.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Looking down from the summit.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Looking down from mid mountain, terrain park on right.
Arapahoe Basin BBQ
Back to the beach for some food and then over to Keystone.
Keystone River Run Village
Pizza On The Run has $4 drafts and slices to go.
Keystone Night Skiing
Both the gondola and chair lift were running from the base.
Keystone Resort Village
Santa Claus.

Late Season A Basin Spring Snowboarding

A Basin Montezuma Bowl
Montezuma Bowl views of Keystone (right) and Breckenridge (left).
A Basin May Skiing
There were plenty of folks enjoying the slopes, but no lift lines.
A Basin Pallavicini Lift
Heading up the old Pallavicini Lift.
A Basin Slalom Slope
A Basin’s East Wall in the distance is the Continental Divide.
A Basin Pallavicini Lift
Pallavicini Lift.
A Basin Spring Skiing
Front side of A Basin.
A Basin Chairlifts
Dercum’s Gulch.
A Basin West Wall.
West Wall.
A Basin East Gully
East Gully.
A Basin
Columbine in the Montezuma Bowl.
A Basin Montezuma Bowl Trees
Some trees in Montezuma Bowl.
A Basin Lodge
At the lodge for a beer.

Later Season June Skiing at A Basin

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area June
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.
Arapahoe Basin Beach
Creek rushing by the “Beach”.
Arapahoe Basin Beach
Best spots at the Beach are slope side.
Arapahoe Basin Mid Mountain
Half way up the mountain.
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Walking over to Montezuma Bowl.
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl
Bumpy run down the face.
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Ten Mile Range
Ten Mile Range in distance.
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Ten Mile Range
Montezuma Bowl.
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Ten Mile Range
Second run down Montezuma Bowl.
Arapahoe Basin Montezuma Bowl Ten Mile Range
This one’s a fast cruiser.
Arapahoe Basin Summit
Heading back over to the front side.
Arapahoe Basin Humbug Trail
Blue down from summit.
Arapahoe Basin Summit View
Looking back up.
Arapahoe Basin Lenawee Mountain Lift
Lenawee Mountain Lift.
Arapahoe Basin East Wall
East Wall.
Arapahoe Basin Weasel Way
Weasel Way.
Arapahoe Basin Spring Skiing
Sundance, High Noon and Ramrod.
Arapahoe Basin Treeline Terrain Park
Treeline Terrain Park is still open.
Arapahoe Basin High Noon
High Noon.
Arapahoe Basin Base Lodge
Base Lodge has a new expansion, the sun deck above the 6th Alley Bar.
Arapahoe Basin Base Lodge Upstairs
New upstairs seating in the expansion.
Arapahoe Basin Base Lodge Sun Deck View
Scene from the sun deck.
Loveland Pass June Base
Loveland Pass still has a big base.
Euro Grill Georgetown CO
After ski at the Euro Grill in Georgetown.
Euro Grill Clear Creek
Clear Creek rages beside the patio.

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • Chasing Colorado’s Incredible Waterfalls
  • Things to do in April in Colorado
  • 13 Quirky Colorado Roadside Attractions
  • Common Spiders to Watch for in Colorado
  • 14 Musical Moments That Shaped Colorado and Beyond

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise