All Images: Lucas Herbert, Courtesy of Arapahoe Basin
THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin Ski Area has announced that they will be opening for 2024/25 winter operations this Saturday, November 2nd. The news comes as a surprise, but with the resort always being one of nations first to open and last to close, we’d expect nothing else from The Legend.
With the base area sitting at just under 11,000 feet in elevation, Abasin is consistently able to open sometime in October or November. This year was tricky, however, as temps have continuously fluctuated in Summit County for most of the fall.
But cooling ground temperatures have allowed the talented mountain operations team to lay down that critical first layer of snow, giving the snow makers the base they need to continue laying down coverage as winter approaches.
Opening day at Arapahoe Basin is an experience that any skier should have on their bucket list. In the official press release, the resort mentioned that there will be first-come-first-serve donuts, stickers and more in the lift line. You can expect a variety of neon-clad riders blasting tunes with tangible stoke, so be prepared to bring it.
The ski area also mentioned they will launch the annual 6th Alley Mug Club, which is, “first-come-first-serve if you are not renewing.” Of course, it wouldn’t be an opening day party without live music. There will be a “local legend” DJ providing ample beats to ensure that the festivities will be rolling all day long.
There are a few important things to remember, which Abasin has courteously outlined below.
Here’s what Arapahoe Basin says you need to know:
- Black Mountain Express will start spinning at 8:30 A.M. servicing High Noon Run
- Beginners be aware – there is no beginner skiing. High Noon is a mountain-blue, intermediate run.
- The 6th Alley Bar & Grill will be open from 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 A.M.
- Black Mountain Lodge will be open from 10:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
- Legends Cafe will be open 7:15 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
- Live music in the base area from 8:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
As always, have as much fun as humanly possible (which shouldn’t be too hard) if you are attending, but be safe. The High Noon run can often be crowded during these first few weeks. Be sure to leave room for others, and don’t make turns that span the entire run. Nobody likes that person. What you can do is enjoy the sunny skies, rip a few beautiful laps and get stoked for the incredible ski season ahead! We’ll see you out there.
