Arapahoe Basin Colorado

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 What Makes the Legendary Arapahoe Basin so Legendary?

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In December 1946 Larry Jump and his directors had a plan and a dream.  The plan: to open up the legendary Arapahoe Basin as one of Colorado's first ski resorts.  The dream: to turn Arapahoe Basin into one of the premier skiing locales in Colorado and North America.  Its inaugural season was quite successful, and it has only grown in the succeeding 58 years.  Arapahoe Basin is truly a legend.

In 1946 the legendary Arapahoe Basin had only one single ski tow.  In 1948 they were one of the first ski resorts to pioneer the use of ski lifts, of which they now have six.  The mountain also has two separate lodges to accommodate visitors and 69 nine total trails covering some 490 acres of ski able area.

Take one look at the mountain in winter and you will soon stop wondering just why legendary Arapahoe Basin is so legendary.  Towering at some 13,050 feet at its summit it is truly a giant in the land.  An astounding 360” of snow fall here every year.  No matter where you are you will never find yourself looking for fresh powder to ski: it is just about everywhere.

Its high elevation and impressive snowfall give Arapahoe Basin one of the longest skiing seasons in the world.  Generally opening up in November (but sometimes as early as October) the season generally lasts until sometime in June, although it has been known to last until as long as July.  With as little as three months of off-season it's possible to take yourself on a skiing vacation to the legendary Arapahoe Basin at almost any time of the year.

Although legendary Arapahoe Basin does offer two lodges, one at main base and one at the top of the Norway and Lenawee lifts, they are somewhat barebones compared to some of the more luxurious ski resorts one can find in Colorado.  Arapahoe Basin is a legend for its skiing, not its luxurious lodges.  At base you will find a cafeteria, coffeehouse and bar.  On warmer days there is also an outdoor grill.  Atop the peak at the Norway and Lenawee lifts you will find the Snow Plume refuge selling drinks, snacks and hot soup.

With several easygoing bunny slopes Arapahoe Basin is a definitely a place for beginners, but it is on the more advanced slopes that the legendary Arapahoe Basin really shines.  The East Wall is the most famous and most difficult ski terrain in the area, and offers some truly amazing runs.  On the opposite side of the East Wall is a blue run known as the Cornice Run where you can take breathtaking leaps off of a number of windblown cornices.

Along the western wall of Arapahoe Basin you will find the Palavacini lift and run, another famous and spectacular area of the legendary Arapahoe Basin.  This area offers some more difficult runs among the course, most of them leading down the western side of the mountain. 

At the bottom of Arapahoe Basin you will find the beginning and more immediate level courses.  The Molly Hogan lift services the bunny slope, while the Exhibition Lift leads you to some fun, basic intermediate level runs.  As you would expect with a name like Exhibition the runs along this lift line offer plenty of bumps, some steep terrain and a number of jumps.

But what are you still reading this for?  Experience the legend for yourself; plan a trip to the legendary Arapahoe Basin today.

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