Above Photo Courtesy of Dave Camara.
One of Colorado’s most storied ski resorts is growing; Arapahoe Basin is adding new terrain — 468 skiable acres — bringing the little ski area on Loveland Pass’s total skiable acres to 1,428. Construction is set to start this summer, with the resort adding two areas called The Beavers and The Steep Gullies, which will both expand intermediate and advanced terrain. The ski area will be installing a new, fixed-grip quad to access the terrain, with ropes set to drop on the expanded skiable area for the 2018/19 season. Although, part of the newly added terrain will be accessible next season as in-bounds runs for anyone willing to put in the legwork of hiking back up after dropping in.
And although “The Legend” has built it’s reputation around being one of the smallest and quintessential of skiers’ mountain in the state, old-school shredders should fear not that the expansion will takeaway from the appeal. The Steep Gullies section of the expansion, in particular, will offer the most technical terrain on the mountain, with all double-black runs consisting of steep chutes set to be patrolled areas that are open to the public. The Pallavicini Lift from the base area will offer initial access to the new terrain from the base, with additional lifts being built for the ride out, with both expanded areas building off the the ski area’s west side. The plan has already been approved by the environmental reviewers from the White River National Forest district office. Keep posted for new developments … and for information on when the ropes will officially drop on the new section of shreddable acreage.