I went out for a spin early this afternoon and found myself stopping at The Bench on Slalom Slope. As I often do, I took a few moments just to look around and see what was going on. I found myself a bit overwhelmed by just how spectacular The Upper Mountain looked today. Blue skies, crisp air, great snow - just a classic Colorado day.
Friday, March 17, 2023
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
IFSA in West Zuma
The International Free Skiers Association (IFSA) and Team Summit just hosted a two day junior event in West Zuma. Capitalizing on 20 inches of new snow followed by brilliant late winter weather, the athletes, friends and parents had a great time. 12-18 year olds were ripping up all kinds of lines that most of us just dream about skiing. Seeing all these young people enjoying The Basin and having so much fun brings a smile to my face.
Monday, March 13, 2023
The Pinnacle
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Another Brilliant Day
Saturday, March 11, 2023
One In A Million
Well it wasn't really one in a million, but today was incredible. By the time the lifts were spinning, we had a foot of new snow. It snowed heavily for a couple hours and then the sun popped out. The skiing was unbelievable across the whole mountain. I was evesdropping on a guest and I heard him describe the day as "Life Changing." It was that good and such a treat for me to be around so many people having that much fun.
Certainly the best day of the season.
Friday, March 10, 2023
Storm Looks Good
We had heavy snowfall this afternoon putting about 3" on the ground. I just skinned up and skied down and the turns were very nice. We should see more snow through the evening and into tomorrow. This storm might be a really good one.
Monday, March 6, 2023
The Good Wind
Sunday, March 5, 2023
6th Steep Gulley
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Vertical Cornice
The "Vertical Cornice" is a snowy ridge accessed from the North Pole gate hike and to the skier's left of Narrow North Pole. People ski either down the East (right) side or the West (left) side. These chutes are commonly called "East and West Vert." It is another very special A-Basin place. Monday afternoon Kay and I had a sweet tour up there with her skiing West Vert and me skiing East Vert.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Snowing Heavily This Morning
Sunday, February 26, 2023
Hiking Season
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Snowing Hard
It is really snow hard right now. We have already received at least two inches and according to open snow we may see up to ten inches by tomorrow morning. I really hope that happens.
We are seeing our upper mountain lifts on a wind hold today but tomorrow looks better and could shape up to be a day you do not want to miss.
Monday, February 20, 2023
Why is it called the Center of the Universe?
Some people ask why we call Pali the center of the universe and the answer is days like today and that our guests named it that. But everything from the Steep Gullies to the Spine to North Glade and into APG was smooth, chalky and getting a constant refresh. I think a day like today is as good if not better than any power day. Surfs up!
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Party On A Chairlift
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Getting Buffed
Friday, February 17, 2023
Thursday, February 16, 2023
4th Steep Gully
Sunday, Kay and I had the best run in the 4th Steep Gully. After a short tip-toe into the chute, we found great conditions and exceptional snow coverage. Sliding between the cliffs is so cool. That skiing and hiking is an experience not found in many places. The ski and the walk on that bluebird day set us up for a good evening on the couch, with a couple friends, watching that football game.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Tickets Sold Out Saturday and Sunday
We are coming up on President's Day weekend, possibly the busiest weekend of the year in the mountains. Lift tickets at A-Basin are sold out both Saturday and Sunday. You can no longer purchase a ticket for those days. Do not show up Saturday and Sunday expecting to buy a ticket. We are sold out.
As I have mentioned many times before, we are really focused on delivering an incredible guest experience. We do that by controlling access to the resort so we can minimize crowding. In addition to limiting A-Basin season pass sales and restricting Ikon visits, we limit the number of tickets we sell each day. Anticipating the holiday this Saturday and Sunday, we had a very small ticket inventory for both days and that ticket inventory has sold out.
So, again, don't show up expecting to buy tickets. By that I mean any ticket including Friends and Family tickets. We are sold out Saturday and Sunday.
For all you skiers and riders that have already purchased tickets or passes that are valid Saturday and Sunday, we can't wait to see you. It will be a fun Arapahoe Basin weekend.
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Tree Chutes
A team of patrollers skinned, hiked and ski cut their way through the Tree Chutes today. They used a lot of explosives in efforts to break down weak layers of snow. This is another major East Wall step forward although there are still many steps to go. We are getting closer.
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Wee Bit Chilly
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Staff Changes
Last month long time A-Basin Vice President Peggy Hiller moved on to become the CEO of the Professional Ski Instructors of America. That was a big loss for us, but we have taken the opportunity to restructure and reorganize. I am very proud to announce the following staff changes.
Jesse True is the Vice President of Marketing and Skier Services, Maggie Murray is the Vice President of Finance, Tony Cammarata is the Director of Development and Planning and Louis Skowyra is the Director of Mountain Operations. Important to many of you, Jesse's favorite skiing is the buffed snow on The Spine, Maggie likes Groswold, except during East Wall season, she likes the Willie's staircase, Louis follows the wind and especially likes The Beavers and Lenawee Parks and Tony likes to slide between the trees in North Glade.
Looking forward, I am not sure we could find four better leaders than Jesse, Maggie, Tony and Louis to guide us along the way. Each of them has been instrumental in our quest to offer an experience found nowhere else. We are intentionally different. I could not be more excited for the coming years.
Friday, February 3, 2023
East Wall
I think it is time to start talking about the East Wall. Essentially it is the last terrain to be opened. And it has some snow. The Snow Safety Team has begun their work. Today that involved the deployment of several large explosives from the Tree Chutes to Jet Chute. There were many slides including significant avalanches in TC 7, Birthday Chute and Willie's Wide. This is a great start, but there is a long way to go.
Don't ask. I don't know the answer to the "When is the East Wall opening?" question. The good news is, we have snow and the work has begun.
Thursday, February 2, 2023
From The Top Of Jump
I think the steepest run in Montezuma Bowl is Jump. The snow out there is in great shape right now. And the view isn't too bad either.