June 5 or Longer

We will be open for skiing and riding until at least June 5. If you are new to tracking the ins and outs of A-Basin Spring skiing, the recent trail closures may be alarming. Don't fret, this is normal for this time of year. There is still plenty of good off piste skiing to be found. As we stay open later and later into Spring (or Summer), there is shift of skiing into the heavily traveled areas especially the groomed terrain. Typically, the more that snow on a trail is packed, the longer that trail stays good for skiing.

Each year we plan on staying open until at least the first Sunday in June. We have done so 33 of the last 35 seasons. We are easily on track to be open until that target. Beyond that, we will wait and see what Mother Nature brings us. If the skiing is still good and people are still out there enjoying the snow, we will be open. If we do have an extended season, we will be open three days a week. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

We reported 4" of new snow today. The first half of this week has more unsettled weather and then it looks like we are going to slide into some sunny, warm days.

So back to the beginning, no need to fret or be alarmed. We have plenty of great skiing, beautiful days, outdoor concerts, pond skimming, BBQ, goofy costumes and generally good natured mountain fun to go.

June 5 or Longer

We will be open for skiing and riding until at least June 5. If you are new to tracking the ins and outs of A-Basin Spring skiing, the recent trail closures may be alarming. Don't fret, this is normal for this time of year. There is still plenty of good off piste skiing to be found. As we stay open later and later into Spring (or Summer), there is shift of skiing into the heavily traveled areas especially the groomed terrain. Typically, the more that snow on a trail is packed, the longer that trail stays good for skiing.

Each year we plan on staying open until at least the first Sunday in June. We have done so 33 of the last 35 seasons. We are easily on track to be open until that target. Beyond that, we will wait and see what Mother Nature brings us. If the skiing is still good and people are still out there enjoying the snow, we will be open. If we do have an extended season, we will be open three days a week. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

We reported 4" of new snow today. The first half of this week has more unsettled weather and then it looks like we are going to slide into some sunny, warm days.

So back to the beginning, no need to fret or be alarmed. We have plenty of great skiing, beautiful days, outdoor concerts, pond skimming, BBQ, goofy costumes and generally good natured mountain fun to go.

Pali and North Glade Closing

We did have a couple of notable trail closures this afternoon. We closed the Pallavicini and North Glade Gates. Our Snow Safety Team has been busy digs holes in the snowpack, monitoring instrumentation in the snowpack and generally keeping a very close eye on the steep terrain. What they have found is a lot of water moving through the snow. When this water hits loose, faceted snow near the ground, snow structure weakens and we can see avalanche problems. That is just about to happen on the North Side of the mountain. So....we closed these areas.

At the snow surface level, this can be deceiving. Today the top of the snow was firm, but you did not have to dig very deep to find plenty of loose, wet and unconsolidated snow. The actual snow surface, whether firm or soft, has very little to do with our decision. The concern lies in the areas not readily visible.

So is this closure forever? If we get sustained freezing temperatures and the snowpack "locks up" again, yes, we can re-open these zones.

Pali Lift remains open.

Pali and North Glade Closing

We did have a couple of notable trail closures this afternoon. We closed the Pallavicini and North Glade Gates. Our Snow Safety Team has been busy digs holes in the snowpack, monitoring instrumentation in the snowpack and generally keeping a very close eye on the steep terrain. What they have found is a lot of water moving through the snow. When this water hits loose, faceted snow near the ground, snow structure weakens and we can see avalanche problems. That is just about to happen on the North Side of the mountain. So....we closed these areas.

At the snow surface level, this can be deceiving. Today the top of the snow was firm, but you did not have to dig very deep to find plenty of loose, wet and unconsolidated snow. The actual snow surface, whether firm or soft, has very little to do with our decision. The concern lies in the areas not readily visible.

So is this closure forever? If we get sustained freezing temperatures and the snowpack "locks up" again, yes, we can re-open these zones.

Pali Lift remains open.

Insights From Joel Gratz

Colorado May weather insights from The Man, Joel Gratz.

Insights From Joel Gratz

Colorado May weather insights from The Man, Joel Gratz.

Getting Warm

After a weekend of winter-like weather and powder skiing, we have had several very warm days. Today the temperature at mid-mountain reached 52 F. This makes for beautiful spring skiing with lots of shorts and bathing suits on the hill. It also makes for quality time in the Adirondack chairs out on the deck.

It also means that water is starting to move through the snow, which is not great news. When lots of water is moving through the snow and lubricating snow crystals, avalanches become more likely. We don't like avalanches and want to avoid them.  As a result some of the steeper areas may close early each day or may not even open. This afternoon we closed the East Wall and West Zuma prior to normal lift closing time. Plenty of great skiing to go, but not all of the steep terrain may be available.

Getting Warm

After a weekend of winter-like weather and powder skiing, we have had several very warm days. Today the temperature at mid-mountain reached 52 F. This makes for beautiful spring skiing with lots of shorts and bathing suits on the hill. It also makes for quality time in the Adirondack chairs out on the deck.

It also means that water is starting to move through the snow, which is not great news. When lots of water is moving through the snow and lubricating snow crystals, avalanches become more likely. We don't like avalanches and want to avoid them.  As a result some of the steeper areas may close early each day or may not even open. This afternoon we closed the East Wall and West Zuma prior to normal lift closing time. Plenty of great skiing to go, but not all of the steep terrain may be available.