New Detachable Chairlift at The Basin

This summer A-Basin Ski Area will begin construction on a new detachable quad chairlift. The new lift will replace the Exhibition fixed grip triple chair located in the base area, which was installed in 1978. The new lift will have a capacity of 2000 people per hour, a length of 2877 feet and have a vertical rise of 719 feet. The ride time will be just under three minutes, half the time of the current lift ride from base area to mid-mountain.

Construction is scheduled for mid-June and will not impact the current season’s closing date (tentatively scheduled for June 6, 2010). The top terminal of the new lift will be slightly realigned uphill and to the west away from Black Mountain Lodge. The lower terminal will remain in the same location.

A contract has been signed with Leitner-Poma to build and install the lift which will cost approximately four million dollars. The new detachable lift will enable beginner and intermediate guests to load and unload more easily, resulting in fewer stops and starts on the ride to mid-mountain. In addition, with the new quad chairlift, Black Mountain Lodge will be more accessible for weddings and special events throughout the year.

With its increased capacity, shorter ride time, and ease of loading, the new detachable chairlift will be a tremendous benefit for our guests. The new lift will provide rapid, easy access to the upper mountain, Montezuma Bowl, and Black Mountain Lodge. Each year we receive hundreds of comments suggesting we make this change. Finally, after working on this project for the last five years, we are very excited to christen a new chairlift for the 2010-2011 season.”

Arapahoe Basin is taking suggestions for the name of the new lift. A 2010-2011 Arapahoe Basin Season Pass or $300 gift certificate to Arapahoe Sports will be given to the person whose suggestion is selected. If multiple people provide the winning selection, the award will be given to the first suggestion received.
Send suggestions to alanh@a-basin.net.

I have attached a picutre of a similar lift at Marmot Basin in Canada.

Crepe Station at Black Mountain Lodge

You might have noticed I have a bit of an obsession with good food. Definitely true. Anyway, Chef Rybak is back at it. Starting today we will be cooking crepes at Black Mountain Lodge on weekends and holidays. We will be serving Savory crepes for lunch including salmon, chicken, mushrooms, veggies, pastrami and more. Of course there will incredible dessert crepes with various combinations of Nutella, fresh fruit fruit, chocolate, whipped cream and caramel. Come and enjoy. It will probably be an easy place to find me mid-day on Saturdays.

Happy Holidays

The holiday season is upon us. I would like to wish all of you a wonderful season. This time of year is so special. Today I was enjoying the view at Snow Plume Refuge when I bumped into some friends I have known for 20 years. We had a great chat talking about old times and new times. It reminded me how special the people of Arapahoe Basin are.

The Treeline Terrain Park will open Christmas Day will some very cool features including the "Log Tap." Thanks for coming and Happy Holidays.

Kid's Club Arapahoe

Kids Club Arapahoe is now taking registrations for the 09-10 season. This 4 or 8 Saturday program is a great way for your child(ren) to learn to ski and ride. Even more importantly, you can let someone else teach your kids to ride while you are out tearing up the mountain. I was lucky enough to have my kids start the program at an early age. They learned more than I could have ever taught them. When we were on the hill, I wasn't teaching my kids, I was going skiing with my kids. Very, Very fun........and they loved it.

I have attached a couple pictures from the Kid's Club Arapahoe Ski Patrol day. The kids spend time with our patrollers learning about safety, avalanches, and general mountain awareness. The highlight of the experience is getting to know our avalanche dogs.

The first 4 week session starts Saturday, January 9. Please go to http://www.arapahoebasin.com/ and check out the Lessons section for more information and to download the registration materials.

Beautiful Early Winter Day

I went out for a great ski this afternoon. It seems like the Arctic freeze is over. While skiing, the sun was out and it was a very pleasant 25 degrees. You know that great snow surface when the wind blows around an inch or two of new snow and it feels like you are sliding on velvet. Well, that was today. The locals have a name for those conditions, but I am not allowed to use it in my blog. It was awesome. I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy a day like this at Arapahoe. The sky was a dark blue, the East Wall was rugged, and the snow was like butter. See you soon.

Beginner Terrain and Seasonal Lockers

Over the last week we have opened a substantial portion of beginner or "easiest" terrain. Molly's Magic Carpet is now open on the Molly Hogan teaching arena. Additionally, we have opened Sundance and Upper Chisholm Trail between Black Mountain Lodge and the base area. It is a great time to get those new folks out on the hill in a lesson.

Rent your A-Basin Locker for the 09-10 season. We are now renting lockers for all your gear, skis, boards and boots can fit in these upright lockers located on the lowest level of the Wintersports/Rental Shop Building. The cost for a season rental is just $199 and they are conveniently situated betweent the bathrooms and the Base 'N Edge Tune Shop. Please see our rental shop manager, Marc Haaland for more details or contact him at 970-513-5753 or march@a-basin.net .

Black Mountain Lodge Dinners and More

All kinds of cool stuff happening these days. We have had 10" of snow the last two days. The skiing and riding is awesome. Molly Hogan Chairlift and Trail opened Saturday and that means our Snowsports School is open for the season. Now is the time to bring that special friend or relative up for a lesson. There are several great lesson/rental/ticket packages. Lastly I have attached an invite to our Black Mountain Lodge Full Moon Dinner Series. We debuted this event last April and it was a tremendous hit. Come join us for extraordinary food and a beautiful snowshoe or hike under the full moon. Go to our website for more details and to make a reservation.

Norway Lift Opens Saturday

With beautiful clear days and cool crisp nights, the snowmakers have the Upper Mountain ready to open. Norway Lift and Lenawee Face and Dercum's Gulch trails will open for the season at 8:30 AM on Saturday, November 7. Be there.

A Foot of Snow

We received about a foot of snow with this last storm. I skied off the top about mid-day and took these pictures. It was a very spectacular blue-bird day. We are targeting Saturday, November 7 for the opening of Norway Lift. Of course that means the Snow, Snowmaking, Cold Temperature, and River gods all have to cooperate. I am really pleased with how well conditions are shaping up on Lenawee Face and Dercum's Gulch. Thanks again to all of you that have been skiing and riding this fall. For the rest of you, it is time to come on up.

Every Ski Area Needs A Pregnant Witch

This year's employee Halloween Costume Contest once again proves that A-Basin is full of characters. Congratulations to our pregnant witch winner.

Montezuma Bowl goes Asian

Chef Rybak opened an Asia food station in the A-Frame today. I was one of the first customers enjoying his Stir fried veggies and chicken over Jasmine rice covered with coconut green curry sauce. Very nice. There are many choices and combinations including Udon noodles, pork, shrimp, tofu, and all kinds of sauces. Pictured is my lunch today, "The Montezuma Bowl." Enjoy.

Ramrod Opens Saturday

I just skied Ramrod twice with our Snowmaking/Grooming Manager. This morning the temperature was down to 9 F. Needless to say is was an excellent night of snowmaking. We plan on making snow there again tonight. Tomorrow we will pull the equipment off the trail. The snowcat operators will groom the trail tommorrow night. Saturday, we will open her up. There is plenty of snow on the trail. We just have to get it in all of the right places.

Opening Day Friday

After some fine weather and great work by our snowmakers, we are opening this Friday, October 9. It will be our earliest opening on record. Congratulations to Loveland. They are opening Wednesday morning. The weather for snowmaking over the next 4-5 days looks exceptional. We will keep plugging away and hope to have Ramrod open before too long. Thanks for all of your support and we will see you Friday.

9 Degrees At Midway This Monring

This morning I rolled out of bed about 5:45 and checked my voice mail. It was music to my ears to get the nightly snowmaker's report and learn the temperature was down to 9 degrees F. The fan guns were simply cranking. Everyone around here has a little more spring in their step. We are getting much closer to opening. This afternoon I may have to go out and "check the product" if you know what I mean. We will be seeing you very soon.

Go Rockies.

It Is Time

After a beautiful summer, winter is back. Last night was clear, cold and starry and the snowmakers went to town. Attached are some photos Heidi Ho took at dawn this morning. Looking at the forecast, we plan on making snow most of today and the next two nights. Love that cold weather. I spoke with our friends at Loveland yesterday and they are off to a good start also. We always look forward to the friendly competition to open first. Time to start thinking about hanging the bike up and dusting the skis off.

Closing Day

Well, we stuck a fork in her and called her done today. Thanks for a great season, all 236 days of it. With all that is going on in the world, a lot of people managed to come to Arapahoe Basin and still have a great time. An awesome mountain full of cool people is all we can ask for. Thanks for everything and I look forward to skiing with you again in a few months. Have a great summer. Ride your bike, run the rivers and be ready for a great 2009-10 season. Peace.

Brewfest and Spring Splash

It is about as spring as spring gets and we have couple of great events coming up.

Tomorrow, Sunday, May 24 is the Festival of the Brewpubs. Buy a mug for $20 and enjoy local brews from noon to 4 PM. Pug Ryans, Breckenridge Brewery, Dillon Dam Brewery, Backcountry Brewery and the Wolf Rock Brewery will be opening their taps. The Eighties Band will be playing your favorite tunes. If the grey weekend weather is getting you down, come on up and enjoy the Festival.

Next Saturday, May 30, we are resurrecting the A-Basin Spring Splash. Lake Reveal is getting to be in top form. I watched several people slide across it this week. I think that by the 30th, the lake will be ideal for this event There is some great footage on You Tube of some very laughable events up there. Hope to see you at The Basin over the next couple weeks.

16" More

Whoa, 16" more today. You know what that means.

15" New

That is not a typo. 15" new this morning and still snowing heavily. This might be one of those storms we are talking about for years. You need to get here.

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.