Colorado Al's Blog from Arapahoe Basin

Tricia · Apr 5, 2020

I was thinking that I'm normally planning things for the annual Arapahoe Basin week in May, but we're grounded.
In the meantime, Al posts this blog that made me say... Ahhhhhhhh
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty in the mountains. Be well!

From A Cat Driver's Point of View

Here is a beautiful image from Friday morning.

arapahoebasin.blogspot.com

Do I wish I were skiing there? Sure
Do I get why we're not? Sure

jimmy · Apr 6, 2020

I'm glad he posted that. It give me some hope, makes me feel good, reminds me of all the good times we have had there even though I know it's just not happening this year. I hope they do reopen this season even if it’s only for a day. Going to miss you all, stay safe.

Tricia · Apr 6, 2020

More of this

Tricia · Apr 6, 2020

This got me looking through images from Arapahoe Basin. Time to revisit some Trip Reports, eh?
Starting with this nice article from @Jim Kenney

Trip Report: - Arapahoe Basin, CO - A Pictorial

ARAPAHOE BASIN, CO - A PICTORIAL December 4, 2019 By Jim Kenney PugSki Travel Correspondent INTRODUCTION: I skied Arapahoe Basin (aka A-Basin) in February and May of 2019. Characteristic of the lengthy ski seasons offered at A-Basin, it was...

www.pugski.com

afski722 · Apr 7, 2020

My annual A-Basin pilgrimage was supposed to have been this past weekend. Like others its been a spring tradition for us f in April for about 15 years now. It always been such a good "night cap" to ski season and my informal last-hurrah that gets me amped up for all things spring.
Last year there was something unique about sitting in the 6th Alley after a day of ripping pow and watching the Masters and having a beer.

First year since 1996 I will not have made it to the Basin.
The only other season I missed this trip was the year I tore my ACL, the past several weeks kind of reminds.

We'll be back Al and crew!

mikel · Apr 7, 2020

Al updated the Basin's status after the Governor extended the stay at home order and ski resort/area closure dates yesterday.

Tricia · Apr 7, 2020

Snip from the blog:
I can tell you with absolute certainty that there is still a lot of time and we will not give up on trying to re-open. If it makes sense to re-open and if our community is ready for us to re-open, we will re-open. This closure has forced us to change and re-think many issues. No doubt the pot will be sweetened for 2020-21 season pass renewals. Please bear with us as we work through the very challenging months ahead.

April Update

Just over a month ago, I did a blog post on the “State of the Basin” following our big change in partnerships. After a slow start to the s...

arapahoebasin.blogspot.com

Snowflake2420 · Apr 8, 2020

Let the speculation begin! I wonder what sweetening the pot will mean....

Gary Stolt · Apr 8, 2020

AL at ABasin gives us some hope and the news last night suggested some relaxing of quarantine rules may be coming. A last ski trip in May would certainly be welcome but we still have to think about risk, crowds, etc. Time will tell.
Here is to good health to all on this forum.

Philpug · Apr 8, 2020

Gary Stolt said:
AL at ABasin gives us some hope and the news last night suggested some relaxing of quarantine rules may be coming. A last ski trip in May would certainly be welcome but we still have to think about risk, crowds, etc. Time will tell.
Here is to good health to all on this forum.

If and that is a big IF A-basin does reopen. With it being very well the only place in Colorado open combined with the pent-up desire for people to ski plus being on the Ikon Pass? A trifecta of disaster. There will be no social distancing, no seperation in lift lines and the tailgaiting scene and The Beach will be overrun.

Gary Stolt · Apr 8, 2020

YES, but . . . . . . .

givethepigeye · Apr 8, 2020

If they open it is 1,624 miles door to door. Thought about it for a hot minute. although a First Class ticket on AA is $339 round trip

Ken_R · Apr 8, 2020

I like Al's optimism. It must very very tough for him to be looking at an empty basin full of snow.

I foresee that the basin will open first to uphill traffic only. Then they might start spinning lifts if things progress well but will maintain all the buildings and facilities closed. (bathrooms only maybe?). After that (again if things go well) then 100% operation might be possible. Is there time? Its gonna be tight.

mikel · Apr 8, 2020

@Philpug great points. Right now the ski resort/area closure order is until April 30th. Who knows if Gov. Polis will extend it. As you say and @Ken_R said in the CO thread it will most likely be a :poo:

show if or when it opens.

The only other place that possibly could be open is Breck. To me, and I very well could be wrong, the message from VR and if they would reopen Breck seemed to indicate they might.

From VR: "Given the current situation involving the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on our communities, we have now made a decision that our North American resorts and retail stores will remain closed for the 2019-20 winter ski season. Dependent on the situation with COVID-19, and pending weather conditions, we will consider reopening Breckenridge in Colorado, Heavenly in Lake Tahoe and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia in late April/early May."

skibum4ever · Apr 8, 2020

Going to Mammoth would be a no brainer.

We'd have to really weigh a lot of factors if Breckenridge or the Basin reopen and Mammoth doesn't.

Not that I expect it. But I can certainly hope.

pchewn · Apr 8, 2020

mikel said:
The only other place that possibly could be open is Breck. To me, and I very well could be wrong, the message from VR and if they would reopen Breck seemed to indicate they might.

Timberline Lodge in Oregon (Mt Hood), has plans to re-open at some TBD date. The regular ski season usually goes thru the end of May and the summer season goes thru August. So they may have time..... A-Basin and Breck are not the only late-season options.

https://www.timberlinelodge.com/coronavirus-updates

Timberline is fortunate to have the longest ski season in North America. As such, pass privileges will be added to the end of the winter/spring season. At this time, there are no details on when skiing and snowboarding can resume, but when the time is right, we will give you the best we have. As we are confident in reopening with extended days, no refunds will be given on any pass or lift ticket product at this time.

For when re-opening seems right, we have developed different operational scenarios. In order to implement proper social distancing measures, we are leaning toward a limited services model. Simply put, this would mean the ski lifts are running but the Wy’East Day Lodge is closed. There would be Ski Patrol services, bathroom facilities, and lift tickets being sold at outside ticket windows. While nothing is finalized, this seems like the option providing the best guest experience while promoting exercise, outdoor recreation, and healthy environments.

Stay tuned here and on social media for updates. We at Timberline hope you stay well and active.

dbostedo · Apr 8, 2020

Well here 2000 miles away we're under a "stay-at-home" order until June 10th. I would be surprised if other states didn't follow suit. And sorry for the negativity, but it's hard for me to imagine any place opening before June. And I would hope no one travels from far away to go there if they do open; That they could limit it somehow. I think we need gradual relaxation of things - not "it's open, everyone have at it!" lest we go back into lockdown.

Tricia · Apr 8, 2020

Gary Stolt said:
AL at ABasin gives us some hope and the news last night suggested some relaxing of quarantine rules may be coming. A last ski trip in May would certainly be welcome but we still have to think about risk, crowds, etc. Time will tell.
Here is to good health to all on this forum.

My heart wants to hit A-Basin if they open again. I sooooo want to ski, and A-Basin always delivers.
But...(don't you hate when there's a but?) I'm skeptical that its a good idea under the current global circumstances.
Wait and see.