Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin, known as A-Basin and branded "The Legend", is a ski area on US 6 below Loveland Pass in Summit County, about 6 miles east of Keystone and roughly 70 miles west of Denver. It opened for the 1946/47 season, which makes it one of Colorado's oldest ski areas. Its base sits above 10,500 feet and its summit at 13,050 feet, so the snow lasts: A-Basin regularly opens in October and stays open into June, and in some years has run into July.

The terrain suits confident skiers. The 1,428 skiable acres are served by nine lifts, with about 2,500 feet of vertical. Pallavicini, known as Pali, is a steep, narrow run on the west side; the East Wall offers hike-to chutes and bowls; and on spring weekends the parking spaces nearest the base, known as the Beach, turn into a tailgate party.

A-Basin changed hands in 2024, when Alterra Mountain Company, owner of Steamboat and Winter Park, bought it. It left the Epic Pass after the 2018/19 season and is now on the Ikon Pass, with unlimited days on both the full Ikon Pass and the cheaper Ikon Base Pass. A-Basin also sells its own season and midweek passes. For 2026/27 the opening date had not been announced in mid-October; the area opens as soon as snow and snowmaking allow.

On winter weekends parking needs planning. In 2025/26, reservations were required on Saturdays and Sundays from January to early May, at $20 a car, free for cars with four or more people and after 1 pm; check the current rules before you drive up.

From Denver, take I-70 west to exit 205 at Dillon and follow US 6 east through Keystone, or come over Loveland Pass from exit 216, which closes in storms and is closed to hazardous-materials trucks. In season, the free Summit Stage bus links Keystone and A-Basin.