Excitement permeates the air this week for the opening of Arapahoe Basin on October 13th. Skis have been waxed, long-handles pulled from the back drawer, and goggles are shining greens, yellows and reds in the sunlight.
It’s SNOW TIME!
The magnificence of the Colorado Rockies
Early 1900’s, two prospectors discovered a rich silver and lead vein on Lenawee Mountain.
Prospectors used dynamite and picks to extract silver and lead from the Lenawee Cliffs.
With dynamite and picks, they pulled out $30,000 worth of metals from the mountain. When the value of silver dropped, they abandoned the area. Arapahoe Valley lay silent for thirty years. The US Forest Service began looking for winter recreation areas to development after WWII. The future of winter sports was here. Arapahoe Basin Inc. was organized by Thor Groswold, Dick Durrance, Max Dercum, Sandy Schauffler and Larry Jump.
Heli Schaller, Original Director of Skiing when A-Basin opened in 1946.
A-Basin fulfills the three S’s for a successful ski resort: Snow – 350″/annually; Slopes-100 trails; and, Scenery – the US Continental Divide.
Black Mountain Express chair lift. Heed the “no beginners” sign.
Bruce Wienke checking out the new runs opening for this year’s season:
Bruce Wienke checking out the new runs opening this season.
Location:
Located in Summit County, off Hwy 6 over Loveland Pass, at 13,050′ elevation, A-Basin will be ready when the first flake falls to satisfy your ski itch.
A-Basin ticket office. Adult tickets are $79.00
Lift tickets are a reasonable $79.00. Multi-day passes available. Check out the website, Arapahoe Basin Colorado, for more lift ticket details.
A-Basin is easy to get to whether you’re flying into Denver International or driving. Colorado Mountain Express (800-334-7433) shuttle offers service from the airport to your lodging in Summit County. From your lodging, Fresh Tracks Transportation (970-452-4052) will provide lodging-to-lift to A-Basin.
Parking at A-Basin is convenient. The upper lots are serviced by the Shuttle which operates during lift operation hours to conveniently bring you to the lodge parking area and get you back to your car when your ready to leave.
Parking lot shuttle
Amenities:
The Legends Cafe will prepare a custom ordered, skillet served breakfast.
Breakfast at will leave your tummy happy and content. No steam table here. Your order is custom prepared and served pipping hot.
Arapahoe Sports, located in the lodge next to The Legends Cafe.
Forget those gloves? No problem. Arapaho Sports is well equipped to fulfill all your skiing requirements whether it be a new hat or a cool t-shirt. Stop-in to browse or replace that well-worn pair of Smart Wool (™) socks.
Welcome to Arapahoe Sports.
After a day of skiing, stop in at 6th Alley Bar and Grill, located in the lodge. Their signature drink is the Bloody Mary. But, whatever is your favorite, the friendly wait staff will make sure you have a delicious drink to celebrate your day on the mountain.
6th Alley Bar and Grill.
Blowing Snow:
Blowing snow at A-Basin
Only one run (High Noon) is open (working on the second one) this early in the season. But, A-Basin is committed to blowing snow in order to make your skiing experience as delightful as possible.
High Noon ski run at A-Basin
Skiing at A-Basin is only going to get better as the temps drop and the snow fall begins to fall in earnest.
So, make your plans to visit A-Basin this 2017-18 ski season.
About the Author:
Bruce and Annie in front of the High Noon run at A-Basin
In 2010, Annie Coburn created Fab Placez. In 2014, she changed the name of her website to FAB Senior Travel to better define her target audience, mature travelers. In order to provide diversity of locations and topics for her subscribers, she publishes travel articles from other writers, as well as her own.
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Website: http:// www.fabseniortravel.com
