The Legend

Rudipup has asked why people call Arapahoe Basin the Legend.

Arapahoe Basin is one of Colorado's oldest ski areas founded in 1946. Its development coincides with the development of the Colorado Ski Industry. Its early pioneers read like a Who's Who of Colorado Ski History.

Larry and Marnie Jump. Larry was the company's first president and 10th Mountain Division Member.

Max and Edna Dercum. They developed Ski Tip Lodge and later founded Keystone Resort.

Dick Durrance. Noted ski racer, film maker and all round skiing great.

Thor Groswold. Founded Groswold Skis that provided equipment for the 10th Mountain Division and the 1952 US Olympic Team.

Willy Schaeffler was one of the Basin's first Ski School Directors and went to be the University of Denver Ski Coach winning 13 National Championships.

All of the above mentioned people are members of the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame.

The first Poma lift in the United States was installed at Arapahoe Basin in 1953. The first disabled ski program was established at Arapahoe Basin in the 1960's for Vietanam veterans. The number of notable events at Arapahoe Basin is lengthy. Looking at the history of Arapahoe Basin and the remarkable personalities that have worked and skied here, it is easy to understand why Arapahoe Basin is called "The Legend."

The Naming of Pallavicini

The highest mountain in Austria is the Grossglockner at 3,798 m. The best known ice climb on the mountain is the Northeast facing Pallavicinni Couloir or Pallavicinni Trough. On August 18, 1876 Hans Tribusser, Bauerle J. Kramser and Count Alfred Markgraf Pallavicini became the first people to ascend the Grossglockner via the couloir. Supposedly, they hacked 2,500 steps in the 55 degree pitched ice making the ascent.

According to Arapahoe lore, a prominent person in the early days of Arapahoe Basin saw some similarity between Austria's Pallavicinni Couloir and Arapahoe Basin's Pallavicinni Trail. This is where the history gets a little murky. I do not know who actually named the trail or any other details associated with the naming of the trail. If you have any information about who named Pallavicinni Trail and why, please post it on the blog. Thanks.

Al

Spring Skiing and Riding at A-Basin

I can’t believe it is almost spring and there is no better spring skiing than Montezuma Bowl. The skiing and snowboarding has been extraordinary. This week has been warm, sunny, and a little breezy. Last week was full of snow and I think Tuesday was the best powder day of the year. I was lucky enough to get first tracks in Jump, Max, and The Spine. Unbelievable.


We have had some great events here the last month. Beacon Bowl was a public avalanche awareness day raising over $6,000 for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The Ski Patrol hosted the Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment group attended by 18 rescue dogs and handlers from 7 different ski areas and rescue groups. There was an exciting mogul event on Slalom Slope with some of the US and Canada’s best skiers ripping up the bumps and jumps. With warmer and longer days, the Beach is starting to come alive. Arapahoe Basin is one of the few ski areas you visit where you pack your ski and BBQ gear.














The Terrain Park crew salvaged some logs from last summer’s parking lot project. They have built three new and very cool park features. Check out the photos. The deck scene at Black Mountain Lodge is also picking up with the sunny days. Be sure to enjoy the view from one of our Adirondack chairs with a cold beverage in one hand and a BBQ sandwich in the other.