Winter is quickly approaching which means it’s time to start planning where you will be spending your next ski vacation. With dozens of ski resorts located in the Colorado Rockies, it can be difficult to choose which mountain to visit. For those looking for a challenging and old school feel, Arapahoe Basin in Keystone, Colorado makes for a great option.
Open to the public in 1946 with just one mid-mountain tow rope, Araphoe Basin, or A-Basin as the locals call it, boasts being one of Colorado’s first accessible ski mountains. In the 1947-1948 season, A-Basin installed a chair lift which made it the first post-war mountain with operating chair lifts. Arapahoe Basin is also known for having the highest skiable terrain in North America and a vertical drop of 2,270′, so for those looking to get some turns in on fat powder skis this is the place to do it.
Still, with 900 acres, A-Basin has something in store for a variety of learners both big and small. For terrain park junkies, The Treeline terrain park stays open until June and is an easy choice for late season riders. For the kiddos, inexpensive lessons with world-class instructors are available during peak season. For those looking to hang out rather than ski, “The Beach” parking area allows for guests to kick back, grill out, and offers a view of family and friends coming down the mountain.
For more information on Arapahoe Basin or to schedule transportation to the mountains from the airport, contact an agent at Peak 1 Express by calling 855-GOPEAK1.
Amber Boutwell is a published Denver photographer who loves capturing nature and food. She shoots with natural light but has a deep love for dark skies. When she’s not on mountaintops chasing the Milky Way, she’s managing the great brands behind AVA and The Outlaw Group as their Marketing Manager. She’s been known to quote Joe Pesci, over-kiss cats, enthusiastically eat cheese, and return pugs.
Her motto:
“Seek out places where the Wi-Fi is weak, the views are stunning, and don’t forget the snacks.”
