Arapahoe Basin Opening October 29

While the NWS has issued a winter storm advisory, A-Basin will open this weekend.

October 28, 2023

Arapahoe Basin will open for the season on October 29. Arapahoe Basin / Ian Zinner

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Those Colorado winter storm warnings and advisories issued by the National Weather Service this weekend bring a bonus: Arapahoe Basin is opening on Sunday, October 29, when heavy snow is predicted.

The area, which is the oldest in Summit County, prides itself on having the longest ski season in the state, and this year is no different. Although it's opening six days later than it did in 2022, the last season lasted until June 4, 2023.

"It is official. Arapahoe Basin will open for the season, Sunday, October 29 at 8:30 a.m. with Black Mountain Express and the High Noon trail," wrote Alan Henceroth, A-Basin's chief operating officer, on October 27.

click to enlarge

snow-making machine at Colorado ski resort.

Snowmaking has paid off at Arapahoe Basin.

Arapahoe Basin

"There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing people have fun skiing and riding. To get open takes an extraordinary amount of work and coordination by all departments and the entire staff. In particular, the snowmakers, the cat drivers, the ski patrol, lift operations and lift maintenance have to shift gears on very short notice and capitalize on ever-changing weather conditions to get the mountain open. They didn't miss a beat this month. Here's to a great season."

Find out more at the A-Basin website. And watch for the 2023 Winter Guide, coming in the November 16 issue of Westword. Not only will it include the latest developments at local ski areas, but comprehensive listings of seasonal events both in metro Denver and the mountains. The deadline for submissions is 9 a.m. November 2; send them to [email protected].

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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