Arapahoe Basin, or, as locals call it A-Basin (or just the Basin), is a little different from the larger resorts you may have on your Spring Break list. It’s a skier’s/rider’s mountain, smaller than the other areas you’re probably more familiar with. But it boasts some of the most challenging terrain out there, and a really friendly atmosphere. No hotels or luxury brand shops in the village at the base area – in fact, there isn’t a village at the base at all, just the classic A-Frame building that houses the base area cafeteria, coffee bar, gift shop, and the 6th Alley Bar & Grill – where you’ll find possibly the best Bloody Mary you’ve ever had, but more on that to follow.
Where to ski:
Expert skiers should start their day at the Pallavacini double chair (aka Pali), and take a lap either on the Pali face – The Spine usually holds great snow long after other parts of the slope are skied out – or head toward the Lenawee triple chair to get all the way to the summit, one of the highest in the USA at 13,050 feet. A lap or two under the Lenawee chair should include turns on Lenawee Parks and Falcon or Dragon, potentially dropping into the glades on the lower half. Then head over to the back of the mountain and make some laps in Montezuma Bowl. Quick tip: If you’re comfortable dropping in on a steep cornice and skiing bumped up steeps, you can skip the traverse from the top of the Lenawee chair to the top of the Montezuma chair by skating past the Snow Plume Refuge and bearing left over the knoll.
On a powder day, or any spring day once the snow’s warmed up a bit, head for the East Wall. Carry your speed from the top of the Lenawee chair to get to the top of the entry ramp, (if you lose your momentum, please move to the side to avoid blocking the ramp for others!), then traverse till you see a tasty line and drop in. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can boot pack up North Pole or Willy’s Wide staircases for some earned turns. If open, hike the North Pole gate to get to some of the gnarliest in-bounds terrain you’ll see anywhere – chutes, couloirs, cliffs, no-fall zones, it’s all there.
For beginners or intermediate skiers, there are great runs on the lower half of the mountain as well as some fun blues dropping from the top of the mountain on either side.
On a cloudy, snowy day, the visibility on the upper mountain can be pretty bad. Without sunlight casting shadows, there’s a lot of terrain above treeline that is prone to flat light, where you can’t tell which way is down. If you have a cloudy day at A-Basin, stick to the lower half of the mountain, the Black Mountain Express chair and the Pali chair are your best options. Or, if you have a multi-mountain ticket, skip the Basin if it’s socked in and save it for a bluebird day.
While the ski area is small, there are tons of secret stashes and incredible terrain packed into that small area, so it’s easier to explore and also to regroup – there’s only one base area so you won’t be wondering where your crew went, they’ll have to come back to the main base at some point.
What to eat & drink:
Eat everything. Seriously, the food at the Basin is great. The Black Mountain Lodge at mid-mountain has phenomenal BBQ, usually smoking a whole hog (or two!) on weekends, while the base lodge offers more traditional fare like burgers and pizza, but also Asian-inspired noodle bowls, and the 6th Alley Bar and Grill offers table service and a special food menu. Weekend afternoons at the base lodge you’ll find a fresh raw bar featuring oysters from the Atlantic and the Pacific, as well as other tasty seafood treats to enjoy on the mountain.
If you like Bloody Mary’s, A-Basin has a great one. Their Bacon Bloody is famous throughout Summit County, and rightly so. If you aren’t wild about bacon flavored vodka, order a regular Bloody, add bacon, that way you still get your bacon-on-a-stick garnish.
Feel like doing your own thing for food and drinks? Check out the Beach – the first row of the lower parking lot facing the mountain. People bring grills, coolers, lawn games and good vibes to keep the party rolling. Costumes are a common sight, as are dogs playing in the snow. Don’t feel like arriving at 7:00 to lock down your beach parking space? You can reserve the best spots for a fee and pull in whenever you feel like it.
Get on up:
A-Basin offers uphill access for those brave enough to tackle the mountain. You can skin or snowshoe up, but you have to stick to designated routes and watch out for mountain operations crews. I recommend getting up either before or after operating hours, and wearing a headlamp.
Bottom Line:
Some visitors to the Basin might mistake the lack of high-speed, 6-pack chairs for a sign that the Basin isn’t up to snuff for a ski day. Don’t make that mistake, the Basin is small but mighty, and a favorite among locals. Also wear sunscreen! You’ll be sorry if you don’t apply and reapply sunscreen up here, especially if you choose to ride in a bathing suit…
