Arapahoe Basin is doubling down on summer additions in its latest master development plan.
This plan, just unveiled today, is the first from A-Basin as a wholly owned Ikon Pass property. The resort sold to Alterra Mountain Company just before opening day this ski season.
The 122-page document covers a ton of ground, but making the biggest plash are plans for summertime upgrades:
- Overnight RV camping with hookups and a camp host at the Last Change lot
- 4 day-use cabins with decks at a new parking lot dubbed Moose Hollow, with ski-in ski-out access just south of the existing CDOT maintenance building
- 10 miles of new mountain bike trails in the Beavers, Steep Gullies and across the front side, but no plans for lift-served mountain biking
- A new interpretive amphitheater at the base of Lenawee Chair
Like everything in this master plan, these upgrades are pending U.S. Forest Service approval. There is no timeline for any of them.
Gondolas and ski school lodge
On the winter wish list are two gondolas and a chairlift previously hinted at by COO Al Henceroth before the Ikon acquisition.
- A “pulse” gondola from the upper lots to the base area over U.S. Highway 6, eliminating the existing shuttle service
- A gondola from the base area to a new terminal on the far east side
- A four-person chairlift on the far east side
- “Sawmill Flats,” a 10,000-square-foot lodge with bathrooms, dining and ski school
- New snowmaking in the Beavers, Zuma Bowl and East Wall flats
All three chairs and the new lodge are designed to make A- Basin more welcoming to everyone – and slash lines at Black Mountain Express.
“Upgrades to the lift network in this (plan) are focused on improving on-mountain circulation, transporting skiers, and improving the beginner and novice skier experience,” the plan reads. “A-Basin will continue to limit ticket and pass sales to preserve the guest experience even with the construction of upgrade plan projects.”
Two approved projects are most likely never coming to A-Basin, including a midway station for Lenawee Express. This idea scrapped when the new six-pack was installed
Also lost in time is an A-Basin tubing hill, approved back in 1999. There is no interest in making this happen.