"A" Basin

The Quintessential Right of Spring

 

        They begin arriving in April.  Men and women in flowered shirts and shorts with pink flamingos and barbecue grills in hand flock to Colorado's "beach".  They're here for the celebration.  Spring has sprung at Arapahoe Basin.

      It's a tradition, a classic right of spring, and it's happened every year for half a century.  In land-locked Colorado, the next best thing to a sandy beach is a parking space at the foot of Arapahoe's snowy slopes.  Reservations for these spots are generally required in April, May and June.

      This ritual is not only about jump-starting a summer tan, although with a base elevation of 10,780 feet, Arapahoe Basin microwaves bodies like a short order cook.

      The ritual is about the snow.  Great depths of snow fall on the jagged slopes of the Continental Divide, singing siren songs to skiers and snowboarders.  The sweeping bowl expanses turn to corn early.  Moguls soften in the sun providing ego bumps.  It's positively alluring and absolutely predictable.  Arapahoe Basin's sun season rivals Fort Lauderdale's March spring break, except, the Basin's beach party lasts much longer—from April through June and into July.

      Deck chairs fill quickly at Midway BBQ.  If the recorded beach music doesn't lure you, the aroma of chicken and hamburgers on the grill does the job nicely.  At 11,000 feet, volleyball takes place on snow courts with ski boot clad players, adding a new challenge to the game.  People often ride the chairlift as foot passengers just to become part of the scene at the Midway shrine.

      Meanwhile, back at the base, live music fills the lodge deck on weekends.  Vacationing motorists, who have never skied before, rent clothing, take lessons, and fall under Arapahoe's spell.

      Wild and crazy antics get a head start on February 20 with the Cardboard Downhill Derby.  Using only cardboard, paper, string, glue and tape, contestants build elaborate and imaginative crafts to race down a slope.  Past derbies have had creative entries such as an ark, a dragon, and an airplane.

      The Beach'n Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday gets the whole family on the slopes to search for prize-filled plastic eggs.

      In April, the 10th Annual Bikes & Bumps race pits contestants on their mountain bikes against a bump-filled slope.  Riding down a steep, slippery, bumpy mountainside presents challenges galore, head-over-wheels spills, and glory to the victorious.  Many times the slope wins.  This much anticipated and widely televised event originated at Arapahoe Basin, growing each year in popularity and numbers of participants.

      Also in April, a day long Enduro, an annual charity fund-raiser, takes place on Palivacinni, one of Colorado's longest, steepest slope, and the double diamond North Side.  Skiers attempt to make the most runs possible on A-Basin's most radical terrain during a ten-hour period.  The reigning number to beat is 74.

      Memorial Day weekend festivities are the be-there classics.  Theme buffets, live music, dancing and tailgate parties rule.  Many non-skiing and non-snowboarding types put A-Basin on their social calendars just for this weekend party scene.

      Last season started the first Summer Solstice Splash.  On the first day of summer, any skier or snowboarder brave enough to surf across "Lake Reveal" won a prize.  Several participants showed up on the warm, sunny day for the challenge.  This year, the 2nd annual Summer Solstice Splash will take place June 19.

      In addition to the legends of skiing who make annual pilgrimages to the Basin in spring, Arapahoe attracts a unique subculture.  This group can best be defined as a mixture of Dead Heads, football tailgate partiers, and a Broadway show cast.  Skimpy costumes are everywhere.  Portable Jacuzzis are brought to the "beach".  Even sailboats are towed here as party venues.  All pay homage to North America's highest ski area.