Arapahoe Basin

This is one of my favorite places to ski, great staff, laid back locals vibe and is priced more reasonably than the other mountains.
Don’t expect Breckenridge or vail amenities, you ski here because there’s some great terrain, good powder conditions and less tourists.
I frequent the bars here and I don’t feel like I’m getting shaken down, it’s nice.
They frequently have events on the mtn and live bands on Saturdays.
Overall one of my favorites without having to drive half the day

Wow– I love Abasin– but then I actually tried to use their services. Last season I took a private ski lesson that was terrible. The instructor was this older gentlemen who I’m sure was an accomplished skiier, but also was entirely condescending and didn’t seem to know how to teach.
Additionally, I tried to buy my brother a gift card to use at A-​Basin given he has always loved that area (but is coming in from out of town and could not commit to dates). 1^st I spent 20 minutes looking for a way to buy a gift certificate online– which is apparently not possible despite the fact that this is a fairly typical offering from most companies– then I tried to call this morning and spent an additional 15 minutes on hold. Eventually I gave up. We will go to Loveland. Thanks.

I love this place. Great slopes, friendly staff, easier access from Denver than the bigger neighbors Keystone and Breck. We did the Skischool for our 6 and 8 year old for the first time this year and are very happy. Great teachers and much nicer and more enjoyable than the Breck Bombers (which I perceived as very big and not very family/​kid oriented).

LOVE A-​Basin. I’ve been going for a couple years, and it doesn’t matter how far out it has been between visits, this place always feels like home. The people of AB are like old friends. Jared and Dominic always remember my drink, always have a smile, and that’s just rad. A-​Basin is a solid place to ride, no BS, & friendly. When I lived in Denver it was my go-​to. They open early and stay open later into the season, with good conditions. Chill in the easy access parking lot, BBQ, bring your dog, enjoy.

Early season snow, so good to be back on skis. 1 run open, everyone in a good mood. Awesome place to hang out and relax on skis

Great on a sunny powder day!

A-Basin’s terrain is definitely for skiers and boarders looking for challenging terrain. There aren’t really any long, «groomer» runs to take your time cruising down. In fact, the front runs are all relatively short and quick.
People come here for the vibe– laid back and casual, yet pretty hard core about ski/​boarding. This is not a «resort» like Keystone or Breck; this is where you come to ski/​ride hard. They have a decent lodge, with decent food and bar. They also have a place to rent equipment, and offer lockers.
They do offer lessons for adults and kids, and despite having limited beginner terrain the instructors are good. I, personally, would recommend Keystone for beginner lessons.
They have some great festivals in the summer too!

Ski patrol took my pass for going out of bounds. Pretty shitty thing to do without warning, especially for an out of towner who’s never been there before. Will not go back…

Abasin is one if my favorite places to ski. Amazing terrain, free parking, beautiful views. If you don’t want to spend all day in lift lines and you just want to ski, abasin is the place.

You can’t go wrong, old school atmosphere, great terrain, excellent snow, gets a little windy on top sometimes, goes with the neighborhood, ya know ?? Best skiing I’ve ever done; Spring 2003, waist to chest deep champagne powder, dropping International and not touching a single rock. Sick sick sick…
I grew up skiing there, when my last day on skis comes, it will be at A-​Basin…

This place kicks ass. If I lived in the area this would be my go to mountain. Love the fact that its geared toward more advanced riders and skiers. Sick glades bowls and runs. Montazuma bowl was great especially that the day I was there it dumped 12′ of fresh pow, and thats mid April.
A Basin is smaller in size compared to Breck or Vail but can stand up to them both any day and win. Runs are fun, challanging and just sweet. A Basin has to also be one of the most beautiful places scenery wise, and I’m saying this after experiencing many places in B.C. Europe and the U.S. west.
A Basin ranks as one of my top 10 places to ride.

This is a fun little resort and really the ONLY place to ski after the big 5 have shut down for the season (sigh with snow still on the ground). I take my little one here on Saturdays in the spring and we have a blast in the slush until all that is left is the heavy corn slushy stuff. Its a fun alternative to Keystone or Breck when the lines are too long or you are feeling a change of pace. The only drawback is the larger amount of really old lifts — they don’t really have any fast lifts like stone or Breckenfridge (at least as of 08 season) and getting back to the top is a bit like skiing back into the 80s (without all the neon jumpsuits, Michael J Fox, or Delorean cars — thought the big sunglasses have made a strange reappearance — wonder when rainbow suspenders will show up again). All in all its a fun resort with kind of a small alpine village feel (the sheer clifs around the resort are awesome to look at). Have also hiked the area in the summer — fun hike and killer views.
Jon

This is the best place I’ve ever snowboarded. Coming from the East Coast and not knowing what it’s like to finally ride above the tree line was awesome! The only thing that pissed me off was when I lost my goggles near the parking area and no one returned them to the lost and found. Criminals, I tell you! haha I ended up buying a pair of goggles there at the ski shop which ran me roughly $ 90…yep. My first, and only, time there was when the Montezuma Bowl opened. I didn’t ride in the bowl but I was able to take a look at it after taking the lift up top and walking over.

A-​Basin has done a great job with the early season snowpack.
As of this writing (late October), they really only have one run open, thus it is pretty crowded. However, that will change shortly.
A-​Basin always provides a nice alternative to the tourist hordes of the other resorts. Check them out when your tired of the mainstream hills.

Skiing is probably one of my favorite things to do, and this is might favorite place to do it. I’m not an exceptional skier, but I can tell this place is a little smaller, more challenging but way less hassle, less congestion, easier parking and more fun than any of the other big ski resort places in Summit County like Breck or Keystone. It’s also less expensive. It’s higher up, gets more snow on average, stays open longer and it’s just amazing.
Most times when there is enough snow, you can ski right down to your car in the parking lot.

I pulled my arm atop Montezuma Bowl. I hit up First Aid for an ice pack and they gave me a plastic baggie and said, «Go fill it up with snow.» They made me laugh and I thanked them. Really nice folks, kinda wanted to hang out with them. They reminded me of 2 sweet grandpas, I hope I end up with one when I’m really old.

Another snowboarder heaven, you will be one of the only skiers if you go to this close Colorado 5-​pass favorite. Congested, this mountain is more of a local favorite, so you will most likely not have to mess with tourists, families, or as many ski lessons. You will however have be in a swarm of snowboarders who know the mountain and know it well, so move or lose it.
This mountain is open the latest out of all the mountains, and in the Spring the hardcore «I just can’t enough» skiers and boarders shuffle on over to A basin for the last couple of open runs, and the parties in the parking lot. People break out bbq’s and drinks and ooze in the warm Colorado spring sun as they mingle with the other I“I just can’t get enoughers.“
Spring skiing is warm and sexy, so no worries about your down coat, some wear shorts and tank tops and I have seen bikinis… So, what ever tickles your pickle, or get you a free dog in the parking lot… no pun intended, or maybe it was!
* Star one is for being a fun local mountain
** You so close star two is for being one of the closest mountains from Denver
*** Flower blooming star three is for the awesome Spring boarding and skiing
**** Char-​coaled star four is for hot dogs and burgers in the parking lot below… Party it up buttercup!