Summer skiing is back.

After a long 10-week closure that included peak spring skiing, the lifts at Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin are spinning once again. Now you can finally give your roommates, families, and maybe even dogs the break from you they deserve.

While the resort is indeed open, the coronavirus outbreak virus has made some marked changes to the way we’re used to A-Basin operating. Notably, you won’t be slugging Naturdays and partying like its 1999 on The Beach anymore. Tailgating is strictly prohibited and all guests are required to wear a face covering when they cannot keep a six foot distance or when indoors. Additionally, the number of skiers/riders per day is closely monitored. Currently, just 600 skiers and riders can be on the hill at a time, which includes a maximum of thirty $99 day-pass buyers as mandated by the US Forest Service. The remaining 570 must have a pass with any of the following passes:

• Arapahoe Basin 2019-20 pass (including full-season, Double-Down, military, senior, youth, child, midweek, and multi-day passes i.e. Elevation and Any-Day, College 5 Day, Kids Free2Ski, Transferable 4 Packs)
• 2019-20 Ikon, Ikon Base and Mountain Collective Passes with remaining A-Basin days
• Unredeemed A-Basin exchange days on either the 2019-20 Taos Ski Valley or Monarch Mountain passes
• Summit Foundation Medallion, CSCUSA/NSAA Gold Coins, 5th and 6th Grade Passports​
• You MUST have days remaining on limited-day pass products

Socially distanced skis — Photo credit: Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin

How to Get a Reservation

In order to earn a spot on the hill, each person must enter into a drawing that opens 36 hours before the day they hope to ski/ride. If selected, those looking to purchase lift tickets can purchase up to four $99 day passes and those with any of the passes listed above can make up to two reservations on the hill. Only one entry per person is allowed and any duplicates will be automatically disqualified from the drawing. To enter the drawing and find more information, click here.

Life on the Hill

Despite navigating an environment full of new rules and special considerations, A-Basin has organized the mountain in a way that protects staff and skiers/riders and keeps the stoke high. “We’re so excited to have skiers back up at The Basin. We’re working hard to keep our guests safe and ensure that every person is having a great time on the hill!” says Theresa Ramirez, Customer Relations Manager at A-Basin.

As mentioned before, parties at The Beach are shut down, which definitely affects the classic early summer vibes there, but here’s the good news: The 6th Alley Bar & Grill is open for business with a full bar menu and limited food. There are several new rules, however, that need to be heeded while dining or having a beer on the patio, but we’re used to that by now aren’t we?

If you live in Colorado and want to get some lift-serviced spring turns in, now’s your chance! Just save the after party for your house and the shotskis for Zoom chats.

Arapahoe Basin employees check guests in under behind a plexiglass shield — Photo credit: Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin