Arapahoe Basin, CO – Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (A-Basin) announced today that this Sunday, October 13, 2013, will mark the official start to the Colorado ski and snowboard season.
Early season snow, low temperatures and snowmaking upgrades allowed A-Basin to open four days earlier than last season. The Black Mountain Express lift will start at 8:30 a.m. MST to shuttle guests to the top of the intermediate High Noon trail at mid-mountain.
“This is a very exciting time for us, and all of Colorado,” said Alan Henceroth, Arapahoe Basin Vice President and COO. “We’ve had tremendous early season snowmaking and natural snow, and we can’t wait to kick off the 2013-14 ski and ride season.”
Skier services that will start opening day include ski and board rentals, dining at Black Mountain Lodge at mid-mountain and in the A-Frame at the Legends Cafe, and retail sales in Arapahoe Sports. The $1 million renovation to A-Basin’s popular 6th Alley Bar & Grill is projected to last until late 2013, but a temporary bar will be set up in the A-Frame lodge. A-Basin Mug Club sales will take place as normal on opening day; mugs are $40 and entitle the owner to discounts in the 6th Alley Bar and a free beer to kick off the season. Mugs are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, one mug per customer.
Current lift ticket window pricing will run through December 20, 2013, with adult (ages 19-59) full-day tickets priced at $67, youth (ages 15-18) window tickets priced at $55 and child (ages 6-14) window tickets priced at $32. Children under age 5 ski free every day all season.
A-Basin’s perennial competitor for the first resort to open in Colorado, nearby Loveland Ski Area, is making snow but hasn’t yet committed to a date to open.
“We are not ready to announce our Opening Day yet, but every snowflake that falls gets us that much closer,” Loveland officials posted yesterday on the resort’s website.