Arapahoe Basin Opening Day: A Comprehensive Walkthrough
A ride up Arapahoe Basin’s Black Mountain Express lift on opening day.
Opening day at Arapahoe Basin is nothing short of a winter sport spectacle, an immaculate blend of enthusiasm, joy, and, of course, skiing and snowboarding. As the first resort to open in North America many years (and if not, close to it), A-Basin opening day has become a tradition for winter sports enthusiasts from across the country. This year, Mother Nature blessed the area with tons of fresh snow in the hours leading to opening.
Vibes: Off the Charts
The feeling at A-Basin was a confluence of joy and excitement, it created a vibe nothing short of immaculate. From the early hours, friends were tailgating in the lots, playing loud music, and feeling the stoke of the season starting. The staff amplified this enthusiasm, handing out donuts to skiers and boarders eagerly waiting in line before the lift started. Those lined up saw the lifts spinning ten minutes earlier than scheduled, stirring tons of cheers from the electrified crowd. Adding to the festive spirit was live local-news casts right from the lift line and a live band performance in the base area at noon. 6th Alley Bar was buzzing with energy and bloodys were in full flow.
Snow: Fresh for October
This year, the snow was pretty decent, with over a foot of it blanketing the basin in the 24 hours leading up to the opening. Although it quickly became choppy, the run remained relatively soft for an October opening day. However, it's essential to remember that these conditions are highly susceptible to weather variations, making each year’s opening day conditions a bit different.
The Run: A Sea of Enthusiasm
When it comes to the run, expectations met reality. The run was undoubtedly crowded, making the term "white ribbon of death" somewhat applicable. However, given that this is Colorado’s first resort to open (and the first genuinely practical ski trail to open on the continent), such a rush is anticipated by most who attend. The fresh snow also invited more people than usual to come out.
The crowded feeling on the run did not diminish the fun and excitement of the skiing experience. The run was properly steep and allowed for picking up good speed, and by 10:00 there were already side hits to boost. The lift served for this run, the Black Mountain Express, rises 719 vertical feet.
Lift lines on Arapahoe Basin’s opening day were, admittedly… not great.
The Lines: Not Great
Lift lines at the opening were, admittedly, a bit overwhelming. Compared to last year, the queues seemed more intense, attributed likely to the recent snowfall. The singles line stretched quite far up the run. The group lines, though appearing chaotic and massive, moved relatively quickly, with about a 15-minute wait for each run.
There was also a significant line for Ikon Pass holders to get their pass printed for the season, as well as one at the bar for new members to get into A-Basin's Mug Club.
Parking: Early Bird Gets the Worm
In terms of parking, the lower lot near the lift filled up right around 8:00 am for the 8:30 am lift start. The overflow lot got quite packed as well. Tailgaters densely populated both lots.
Final Thought: Go
Opening day at Arapahoe Basin is a celebration of the true start of ski season. Get out there early, tailgate with your friends, take a couple laps, grab a bloody from 6th Alley, and enjoy the stoke of getting on snow before most resorts even start blowing, its a very memorable experience.
For more information on Arapahoe Basin, check out our ski resort review and Colorado ski resort rankings. Additionally, you can check out our A-Basin video review below.
