This Colorado resort offers one of the longest ski seasons in North America in addition to hiking trails, and food and drink festivals.
Known locally as The Legend, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area has been attracting ski enthusiasts for more than 65 years. Ski and snowboard from October to June. Discover an accessible ski area of 960 acres (388 hectares) and a towering 13,050-foot-high (3,978-meter) summit elevation. Prepare to carve tracks over 109 perfectly groomed trails, complete with chutes, glades and powder bowls. Take a moment to appreciate the stunning natural scenery as you ski amid Colorado’s Rocky Mountains on the Continental Divide.
Equipment is available to rent. All levels of skiers and snowboarders can take classes or private lessons with skilled instructors. Build up your confidence by practicing on the designated learning areas and beginner slopes. Intermediates can take the Lenawee Mountain lift to a playground of rolling blue groomers on the Lenawee and Norway faces or the blue, black and double black runs of the Montezuma Bowl.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area also offers two terrain parks. Hone your freestyling skills on the parks’ boxes, jumps and rails or stand on the sidelines and watch as seasoned skiers and snowboarders perform impressive tricks.
Meander through the resort’s surrounding mountains on a series of scenic trails ideal for summer hiking and mountain biking. Walk to summit ridges through alpine forests and to waterfalls. Enjoy one of the many summer events that take place at the mountain, including a stage of the USA Pro Challenge cycle race.
During your downtime, eat and drink at mountainside cafés, grills and restaurants. Reserve a place at the Moonlight Dinner Series, held on the Saturday of the full moon cycle between December and April. Attend year-round events such as barbecues, beer tastings, clam bakes and lobster boils, many accompanied by live music.
The resort is about a 60- to 75-minute drive from Denver and a 2-hour drive from Colorado Springs. Use the free parking at the resort’s base area,close to the chairlifts. There are no accommodations at the resort many visitors stay at the hotels and lodges in nearby Keystone. From mid-November to Memorial Day weekend, a free shuttle bus operates between Arapahoe Basin and Keystone.
Visit the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area official website for information about lift passes, opening times, ski classes and equipment rental. Here, you’ll also find details about discounted tickets and vacation packages.
