Arapahoe Basin
1,428 acres, 147 runs near Dillon. Colorado's first post-war resort, high-alpine terrain, Ikon Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
24 Oct 2026
Closes
16 May 2027
Days open
204
Annual snow
350in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Arapahoe Basin's summit reaches 13,050 feet, dropping 2,530 vertical feet to a base at 10,518 feet across 147 runs spread over 1,428 acres near Dillon, Colorado. Terrain splits 49 per cent advanced, 24 per cent expert, 20 per cent intermediate and 7 per cent beginner, with average annual snowfall of roughly 350 inches. The resort carries Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective affiliation. Eight lifts, including four quad chairs and one six-person chair, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, two surface lifts and one t-bar.
Arapahoe Basin, affectionately known as The Legend, holds the distinction of being the first ski area to open in Colorado after the Second World War, and its genuinely high-alpine, largely above-treeline terrain has built a devoted following among serious skiers. The resort markets Colorado's longest season, often stretching from late October into June.
10th Mountain Division veterans Larry Jump and Sandy Schauffler, hired to survey Colorado's winter sports potential, founded A-Basin, with Jump investing his life savings of 25,000 US dollars. Local forestry professor Max Dercum and his wife Edna, who also owned Colorado's oldest guest ranch, the Ski Tip Ranch, joined the effort alongside Thor Groswold and Dick Durrance, purchasing an 80-acre parcel for 3,000 US dollars and opening the resort in December 1946 with a single mid-mountain rope tow after just five months of preparation.
A-Basin was sold in 1972 to Joe Jankovsky, then to Ralston Purina in 1978, before Vail Resorts purchased the resort in 1996. Department of Justice antitrust action forced Vail to divest a year later, and Dundee Resort Development of Canada, now known as DREAM, acquired A-Basin in 1997. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 139 US dollars depending on weekday or weekend timing.
2,530ft
Vertical
147
Runs
1,428 acres
Skiable
350in
Annual snow
Ikon / Mountain Collective
Pass
The Terrain
147 runs across 1,428 acres skiable
Arapahoe Basin sits on the Continental Divide near Dillon and covers 1,428 acres (578 hectares) of high alpine terrain. The base is at 10,520 ft (3,206 m) and the summit tops out at 13,050 ft (3,977 m), a vertical drop of 2,530 ft (771 m) across 147 runs. The split leans steep, with 49% advanced, 24% expert, 20% intermediate and just 7% beginner, so green circle choice is thin. Average snowfall is around 350 inches a year, with the Lenawee Express carrying skiers to the top of the main peak.
The East Wall is the signature steep zone, a billboard of double black chutes off Lenawee Mountain, bisected by the long East Wall Traverse that reaches a lot of difficult terrain. Pallavicini is a group of steep, mogul-covered double black runs, with gated access to Steep Gullies, narrow, rocky, expert-only chutes that were backcountry before joining the ski area in 2017-18. Montezuma Bowl on the back side, served by the Zuma lift, offers everything from groomed intermediate runs to advanced cornice runs. A-Basin rewards confident advanced and expert skiers and solid intermediates who want open alpine terrain rather than tree-lined groomers. Newer skiers will find bigger beginner areas elsewhere in Summit County.
Terrain split
147
runs
147 runs across 4 grades
Beginner10 runs · 7%
Intermediate29 runs · 20%
Advanced72 runs · 49%
Expert35 runs · 24%
Time it right
When to visit Arapahoe Basin
The 2025-26 season at Arapahoe Basin ran from 25 October 2025 to 14 June 2026, an exceptionally long roughly thirty-three-week season, among the longest in Colorado, supported by average annual snowfall of around 350 inches. This marketed longest season reflects the resort's considerable elevation and reliable early and late-season conditions.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to A-Basin's advanced-and-expert-weighted terrain. As an Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective resort, A-Basin draws substantial visitation from pass holders alongside dedicated local skiers seeking its genuinely high-alpine character and famously late spring skiing season.
The resort's above-treeline terrain and Montezuma Bowl expansion continue to draw experienced skiers throughout the season, particularly during the extended spring period when few other Colorado resorts remain open. School holiday periods bring some family visitation, though the resort's advanced-weighted terrain skews its visitor base toward more experienced skiers.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Dundee Resort Development's 1997 acquisition, A-Basin has continued building on nearly eight decades of history since its December 1946 founding as Colorado's first post-war ski area. The Legend's long season and high-alpine terrain remain central to its identity each year.
Season 2026 - 2027
24 Oct 2026
Opens
16 May 2027
Closes
204
Days open
350 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Arapahoe Basin
Daily snow reports at Arapahoe Basin go back to 2025, 3 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
12 in
Snowiest day
7 Mar 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
181 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Arapahoe Basin, and where to stay
Arapahoe Basin sits near Dillon, Colorado, along the Continental Divide, with a base elevation of 10,518 feet and a summit at 13,050 feet across a 2,530-foot vertical drop over 1,428 acres. This considerable elevation places A-Basin among the highest-elevation ski areas in North America.
Dillon and the broader Summit County region offer substantial lodging, dining and services within a short drive of the resort. Denver, Colorado's largest city, lies within a reasonable drive as well, making A-Basin a popular day-trip destination for Front Range skiers.
US Highway 6 provides direct access to the resort over Loveland Pass. Winter driving conditions on this high-mountain route can include significant snow and ice, and travellers should carry appropriate equipment given the pass's considerable elevation. There is no direct public transport service to the resort, though regional shuttle options connect from Summit County.
Denver International Airport, roughly a two-hour drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into Colorado, with A-Basin's proximity to Denver supporting strong day-trip and weekend visitation from the metropolitan area.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Arapahoe Basin, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Arapahoe Basin's ski season?
Arapahoe Basin's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from October 24 through May 16. That window is roughly 204 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Colorado, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Arapahoe Basin have?
Arapahoe Basin lists about 1,428 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 147 named runs (578 hectares alongside 1,428 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Arapahoe Basin?
Trail grading at Arapahoe Basin breaks down roughly as 7% beginner, 20% intermediate, 49% advanced, 24% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Arapahoe Basin have?
Arapahoe Basin operates 9 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 4 quad chairs, 2 surface lifts, 1 6-person chair, 1 double chair, and 1 t-bar.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Arapahoe Basin?
Base elevation at Arapahoe Basin is about 10,518 ft (3,206 m), with the summit around 13,048 ft (3,977 m), giving roughly 2,530 ft (771 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Arapahoe Basin get each season?
Arapahoe Basin averages about 350 inches (889 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Arapahoe Basin accept the Ikon / Mountain Collective?
Arapahoe Basin is affiliated with the Ikon / Mountain Collective. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ikon / Mountain Collective, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Arapahoe Basin lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$30 to US$199, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Arapahoe Basin before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 6 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Arapahoe Basin so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Arapahoe Basin have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Arapahoe Basin. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Arapahoe Basin located?
Arapahoe Basin sits in Colorado, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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