For the first time in its 79-year history, Arapahoe Basin is charging for parking at every lot on weekends and holidays – 48 days at a resort that is usually open 200+ days per season.
We stopped by the Early Riser Lot recently to chat with skiers, riders and A-Basin COO Al Henceroth about the good, the bad and potentially ugly.
Wilderness local David says it’s no trouble for him.
“For me it’s a non-issue,” David tells Krystal 93 news director Phil Lindeman. “I avoid the weekends and holidays, but I’ve heard a few people complain about it. Makes sense though. You know they got to control the people because of the limited parking.”
Henceroth says that is exactly why they are doing it. The mountain itself can handle more people than its lots.
“Eliminate the highway and parking problems out there,” Al says. “Improve the ski experience (and) also get more people to carpool.”
Long time A-Basin guy Trey, from Littleton, is nervous about timing.
“I’m a little bit concerned with it because I make my plans in the morning and then kind of go from there,” Trey says. “So if that can still work, that’s great. But if they change that up, we’ll see.
Henceroth says early birds like Trey should rarely, if ever, have a problem.
“If you show up here, and as long as there’s space, it’s really easy to make a reservation once you’re here,” Henceroth says.
Kevin, from Denver, is thinking about the long game.
“Ideally, paid parking would not be what we’re after,” Kevin says. “But if the money generated from paid goes to the right place, a.k.a. paying lifties more or the staff more, then I think it’s a good thing.”
Here’s Henceroth’s response: “We don’t (say) this dollar here goes to that location, but we’re going to continue to invest in the place just like we always have.”