Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Review

This is my favorite ski area anywhere and ever. My recent visit I took the mountain tour with Frank and just loved it. Way more than I expected and he introduced me to areas of the mountain I didnt know existed. Easily increased my knowledge of the terrain 30 percent. Took a lesson by Bryan Hoos. Holy smokes that guy is awesome. He made the most difficult runs easier than I could have imagined. Thank you so much Bryan. Literally changed my skiing life and thats not an exaggeration.

This is a ski AREA. Not a ski RESORT. there is a difference here folks. You don't have to walk through a mini mall to get to the lift. Less tourists, people actually know how to ski. You won't see unzipped jackets and jeans on the slopes here.

Consistently the first mountain to open for the season. They are a smaller resort with no housing to rent so it tends to be more locals than tourists. Once regular ski season opens it can be a cheaper and less crowded option than some of the bigger resorts. Still a great mountain with a variety of runs from a bunny hill to double black.

Kitchen and food has a good selection but I have not eaten often there because I bring my own food for lunch. They have draft beer at the bars and cans at the cafeteria for those that like options.

There are 4 parking lots not including street parking. The first two are easily walkable to the lift but the others have small busses running people back and forth. On normal days and at a decent hour I've never had an issue parking.

Went on a powder day and it was a lot of fun. It was pretty crowded when we were there so it was a bit hard to find a place to sit for lunch.

This place is a straight up original mountain. No Gondola, No massive trail maps or yellow jackets to get around. Just get to the top, point your sticks down and drop.

Smaller than its neighbors, but some great runs, less crowd, and friendly staff.

This is hands down my favorite ski resort in Colorado. Super local and chill. You feel like your on top of the world

Great skiing. You must try A Basin if you are like snowsports for any age. Lots of runs for experts, intermediate and some beginner runs with different challenges levels.

The Kids Center is awesome I took my 6 years old boy for snowboard lessons. He had lessons 3 days during spring break and he had a blast! The instructors were awesome and he was buddies with all of them. Also the small size groups make the bonding between students and instructors easily to achieve. Alicia, Eric and Kate were so good. By the 3rd day, he was in the chairlift with Kate, going down and having fun.
Also the cabin by the magic carpet with snacks and water allowed the kids to spend most of their time learning instead indoors.

I cannot wait to go back to A Basin next time we are skiing in Colorado.

SUper steep blues, lots of runs with moguls and pretty small. However, it is a gorgeous mountain, very short if any lift lines and very friendly staff.

Great ski place. Lower cost. Most challenging tarin. Smaller but nice. Great ski instructors, really nice too.

Amazing little mountain with fantastic views and terrain.

Awesome place! Great conditions, not crowded at all, very reasonable compared to the other ski areas nearby. Much of the resort is above the tree line, great wide open bowls!

Fantastic beginner lesson; really helped me feel comfortable on skis! Beauty all around, friendly family atmosphere!

Not the world's best terrain but definitely Colorado's most down to earth crowd. Expect a lot of smiles and friendly attitude. Locals. Best end of the season party!

Also known for its May and June Skiing. As an avid skier and storm chaser, it's awesome to go skiing and chase tornadoes on the same day! Service is great and affordable!

If you don't care for the big MEGA resorts, then A-Basin is the place to be. We always have fun here.

This place is so awesome. Great local crowd. Everyone is friendly.

Open early season, stay open till late season, usually early June. I love the pizza here, you can buy per slice, it's so good. Very chill atmosphere, they have some weird arraignment with Vail resorts, but are not own by Vail, which is great. Not the biggest mountain in the area, but plenty to offer for everyone .

There is not much that really needs to be said, this is the King of Spring.

A-Basin is always fun. Not so crowded, lots of adventurous terrain, and a great value. I really like the lower-key atmosphere.

Definitely the sickest ski area around. No lines today from ~1030 onward

Steep terrain but fun. Great barbecue that was really inexpensive. Love it!

Love riding at the Legend. Just dont tell anyone. :)

This ski resort has quickly become my favorite place here in Colorado. It's a close drive from Denver, the snow is great, and it's usually not too crowded (especially starting with the 2019-2020 season when they separate from Vail Resorts).

Love the views, great good and drink options. Nice runs!

We hiked and played the Disc Golf course here. Course was a little hard to follow, but you can't beat the scenery!

This is just a great local mountain. The runs are great, they open up in October and stay open until June. The staff is great and the restaurant half way up the mountain has the best BBQ I've had in Colorado. On Sundays in spring they cook a whole pig that is amazing. Go to the bar half way up the mountain and say hello to the friendly bartender Jared.

Brings back a lot of good memories! Improvements are being made but the flavor is the same.

Really fun slopes with challenging terrain available.

If you like Taos Ski Valley or Jackson Hole then you'll like a basin.

Didn't know you can buy a pass at Keystone and use at both resorts. For some weird reason A-basin doesn't offer the same pass although the price is exactly the same. It would have been really nice to have that option. Next time I'm def buying the Keystone pass instead.

Great ski resort, plenty of clean smooth runs for beginners and experts alike. The lifts are pretty fast and they offer hiking trails if you re seeking some untouched snow. Mostly locals here and the staff is super friendly!

It's A-Basin, always a good time. Bonus, it's outside!

Have loved Abasin since I first learned to ski over a decade ago. Now that I've worked there a few years, I love it even more. It feels like family, like coming home. Living the dream & skiing with some of the greatest people I've ever had the privilege. Come see why locals love this mountain. Leave feeling reinvigorated.

Best place for locals to enjoy what Colorado and its mountains have to offer! We have been coming to A-Basin for the last 12 years and have enjoyed it every time!

not too shabby. kinda small but close to Denver. friendly staff and prices .

I look forward to hiding out in the Beavers on a cold, windy day

Incredible mountain! Great for all levels.
And very affordable

I hadn't been to the basin in quite some time, but there's a special charm about a ski area that isn't crowded with condos at the base. The high terrain, huge bowls and powder make this an experience not to be missed.

Staff was friendly and helpful. It wasn't too crowded. We liked it a lot.

Fun mountain - definitely can only go when they have a good base of snow, otherwise makes it particularly terrible to ski

Great family resort. Cheapest lessons for kids in Summit. Family section of lodge allows you to bring your own food and has a great play area.

Great place to ski. Lots more affordable than other colorado resorts. Get the early for beach parking and breakfast. Spring skiing at it's best at A Basin

I went here for the first time this past weekend with 4 others. 3 of my friends were from out of town and wanted to give skiing a try. I felt A-basin was a good place for this due to the resort being smaller in nature and the ticket pricing being very affordable. It had great beginner runs at the bottom of the mountain and had a good variety of other terrain for those with more advanced skills. The snow was awesome because it had been snowing all week, but even if it had not they do groom a lot of their runs so it is good for spring skiing. Will definitely be going back!

Since I have just recently gotten into the review game I thought it proper to give the bithchin basin a shoutout! More like a jillion stars.. as a long time local I am greatful to have this gem in my backyard! I just had an epic late season pow day this past Sunday 4/17/16 and am excited to shred with you guys well into June...possibly the 4th of July? Lets see.. Cornices, tasty rocks, pali laps, epic hikes ;), amazing terrain like everywhere, crazy views, BACON bloody marys and awesome brews, friendly peeps, oh and the beach. A Basin a little slice of heaven on earth!

Great ski resort...Best BBQ ..On mountain in Colorado...Mid mountain resort...

Such a great resort. Off the beaten path with lots of wide open runs and challenging terrain. I definitely want to come back here.

Loved the snow, but it's getting busy and the parking is terrible

I have been skiing at the Legend for 40 years and they continue to improve and always have a great staff and you cannot beat the beach on a Sunny day.

I love the Basin. It's gotten busier since word has gotten out. Generally speaking, parking is free and easy (unless you roll in at 10:30 like a filthy casual). Food and drink is reasonably priced. The mountain is on the smaller side; the upside to that is that the runs are just long enough to be fun and challenging without making you stop 3 times on the way to the lift. I can do laps all day here without feeling pooped. Also: practically no catwalks or green runs. This place is for locals that know how to ski/ride.

Best place on Earth, but you guys should go to keystone!

Best ski area in the U.S. if you like lapping steep stuff.

for never being at many ski resorts this place is very reasonable and great place to learn to ski.

Great instructors, very newbie friendly. easy to get to from denver.

Amazing amazing mountain. As a skier who likes big mountain double blacks, I was impressed. Also the powder the day we went was epic! I think they get good snow regularly. But defer to the snow report for more detailed and accurate figures!