Late Winter Sunset

The light this time of day continues to be incredible. The skiing is so much fun and we are heading into another  storm this weekend followed by a week of unsettled weather. 

 

Fireman's Relay

We hosted the Fireman's Relay on Friday. This is a tough event to explain. Five fire fighters ski through a race course with each of them holding a 50' water hose. It doesn't sound that exciting until you watch it. To avoid getting whipped, the guy in the back needs to pay attention. The teams are hilarious. Not only are they having a great time, but last year they raised $25,000 for the "Colorado Children's Hospital Burn Camp." Kudos to this crew.

Independence Mountain

Skiing down the lower section of Larkspur, there is a stunning view of Independence Mountain (12,614'). This is such a nice spot to cruise down the groomer and soak in the view.

 

Lenawee Parks

The grooming by snowcats and the grooming by the wind is favoring Lenawee Parks. When the kind wind blows, the snow feels and skis so smooth, like velvet

 

That Kind Of Day

And the skiing was also incredible.

I suggest paying attention to the weather forecast for early next week.

 

Premium Mountain Tour

I wish I was able to just ski all day. Usually I go out for an hour or two and try and visit as many zones of the mountain as I can. Today I linked together a series of spectacular runs.

A close family friend from the freestyle days was visiting from BC. She had never skied the Steep Gullies. We started our ski with a beautiful run in the 4th Steep Gully followed by a nice hike back to Pali Lift. We enjoyed the grooming on Davis followed by a ski down Upper Loafer and into Bighorn. That was followed by a spin down Cornice Run (best run for views) and West Wall. After a ride on LenX and the Lazy J, we did the mini hike and skied Long Chute followed by some powder turns on the East Wall and a nice cruise down Wrangler/Sundance. That was a premium mountain tour and there wasn't a bad turn.

The goggle reflections are the best part of this photo.

East Wall Open

The East Wall opened today for the first time this season. Tony C and I slipped out there for a quick lap. Actually, it turned out to be three laps and they were all awesome. Today it was open below the traverse and south of the hot cold closure. We mostly skied in the zone below Willie's Wide. Seasoned A-Basin skiers know that The Wall is always a work in progress. With each storm, it will get better and better and bigger and bigger. Before too long the hiking routes will open up. We are at the very beginning of East Wall season, a truly unique Arapahoe Basin experience.

More East Wall

Yesterday the patrollers were making all kinds of noise out on The wall. They travelled out the East Wall Traverse deploying explosives all the way to the Y Chutes. While maybe a little thin up high, the lower and mid elevation coverage is looking pretty darn good.

 

Steep Gullies

I have been a little busy the last few months and I missed the Steep Gullies opening. Today Kay and I slipped out there for a couple of fantastic runs. The snow and the weather was superb. These images of the 4th Steep Gully show what a stellar day it was. Riding Pali Lift, working our way to the 4th Steep Gully gate, dropping into such rugged and beautiful terrain and hiking back to the bottom of Pali is a one of a kind experience. For the right person, this is hard to beat. The hike isn't getting any shorter.

The Perfect Day

I think today might have been the perfect ski day. We reported 6" of new snow most of which fell after closing yesterday. The day had brilliant blue skies. The high temperature was 14 F which is an ideal Colorado temperature for skiing in February. There was almost no wind. The snow coverage and surface was outstanding. The weather really spread people out and lines were generally very light. All the restaurant decks were full of people soaking in the sun and fun. The parking was easy. I am not sure what else a skier could ask for. 

It was beautiful. And we have another storm brewing for next week.

Snowing and Almost East Wall Season

This morning we reported 2" of new snow and it has been snowing steadily since 5 AM. Snow is forecasted to last all day and tonight. Today and tomorrow will be sweet skiing.

The Ski Patrol has been all over the East Wall. After completing avalauncher missions, several teams have worked extensively on the southern half of the Wall. Teams have been deploying explosives and ski cutting in Hidden Chute, The Notches, North Pole and Willie's Wide. Today, weather conditions pending, they may get into Snorkle Nose and Corner Chute. A Tree Chutes route will be next. With our current storm and the storm forecast for next week, we are getting very close to an East Wall opening. I get excited just thinking about it.

 

Pali In The Sun

Morning skinners enjoyed the sun lighting up the Top of Pali this morning.

A Few More Thoughts on Alterra

It has been nine days since we announced that Alterra intends to purchase Arapahoe Basin. A number of you have shared your thoughts, either via social media or with me directly. While many have shared positive thoughts about the change, others have expressed more negative feelings. I understand that people have anxiety. This is a big change and we have been through big change before.

There are a few points I would really like to emphasize. Until the deal closes, it is business as usual. The same group of employees are running the resort now and are staying at The Basin through the transition to continue running the resort. They are committed to offering the same great experiences you are used to. I know the folks at Alterra want The Basin to continue to thrive and be that magical place we all love.

For the last 46 years we have been owned by two very large publicly held companies. Through that we managed to maintain our special culture and vibe and we thrived. 

I am antsy to know all the answers to our questions. I know I have to be calm and patient. We all have to be calm and patient. Arapahoe Basin will continue be a wonderful place to spend your time. Remember, it is all about the mountain and the people that spend time here. Be patient. We will come out of this better than ever.

Good Morning Arapahoe Basin

 

Sun Breaking The Ridge

I was on the Summit this morning just as the sun came up over the East Wall. Check out the Wall's shadow across Norway, West Wall and Slalom Slope. Beautiful morning to be on the hill.

ALTERRA TO BUY A-BASIN

Alterra Mountain Company has signed a contract to purchase Arapahoe Basin. The closing of the deal is expected to occur later this year. Until the closing, all of us at The Basin still work for Dream and our primary objective is to deliver the same incredible A-Basin experiences that you have come to expect. Alterra has asked me to continue in my role at The Basin and I have said yes. There will be no change to Ikon Pass access at A-Basin for 2023-24 season.

Since its founding in 1946, Arapahoe Basin has experienced dramatic changes. Founded by Colorado Ski Hall of Famer Larry Jump, The Basin is one of the state’s original and most dramatic ski resorts. In 1972 Larry sold the place to the area’s General Manager, Joe Jankowsky. Six years later, Joe sold The Basin to a very unlikely owner, Ralston Purina. Completing a near scrape off, the dog food giant began shaping the modern Arapahoe Basin. In 1997, after being spun out of what became today’s Vail Resorts, The Basin was purchased by another unlikely owner, Toronto developer Dundee Realty, later known as Dream. Through steady investment (snowmaking, all new lifts, buildings, parking lots, etc.)  and closely paying attention to what guests say and want, Dream fostered the environment and place we all know and love today. I don’t think another company could have created what Dream did.

After 27 years (the longest ownership of The Basin) and a tremendous amount of work and success, Dream has decided it is time to sell and Alterra is ready to buy. I am so thankful for all that my boss Michael Cooper and Dream have done. It has been a wild and fun 27 years, but it is time for the next step. Through the Ikon Pass, Alterra has created a partnership of the greatest resorts in the world. They know and understand The Basin and are enamored by its culture and vibe. I think they are the best team to help us through our next phase of growth and maturation.

Despite missing my friends at Dream, I think this is a good time for change. There will be hundreds, if not thousands, of questions to be answered. We will not know most of these answers until the closing occurs. It will take patience for all of us to get through the awkward and uncertain months between contract signing and closing. I want all of you to know that my commitment to running the best mountain in the business, focused on our unique guest experience and our passionate and dedicated employees, will be greater than ever.

A Foot From The Storm

Actually, we received 11" out of the storm, but I call that a foot. I think the image below says it all. Saturday was a socked in, snowing, blustery, wintery kind of perfect powder day. Today had a few clouds in the morning, but was mostly a brisk, clear, bluebird day. The skiing was beautiful and the vibe was even better. Kay and I topped off a great day of skiing Pali and The Beavers with a late lunch with friends at Il Rifugio. After a dessert cappuccino, we closed out the day with a 3:30 spin down The Cornice Run basking in the afternoon light. Hard to beat that.

Good Morning

 

It Has Begun

We are in for some fun.

CAIC 50th Anniversary Celebration

This avalanche season marks 50 years of operation for The Colorado Avalanche Information Center. They will  be celebrating their anniversary at Black Mountain Lodge Thursday, February 8 at 6:30 PM. Guests can ride the chairlift or skin up the hill where they will enjoy a classic A-Basin dinner with scallops, stuffed chicken thighs and prime rib. Dinner will be followed with comments and presentations by some of Colorado's most notable avalanche pioneers including Knox Williams and Ethan Greene. This is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new friends.

All proceeds will benefit Friends of CAIC to continue to support avalanche forecasting and education in Colorado.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to CAIC 50th Anniversary Celebration