Adventure Passport: Resort Challenge #23: Fill Yer Cup at the Basin

Arapahoe Basin
Summit Elevation 13,050 feet
Vertical Drop 2,270 feet
Average Annual Snowfall 367 natural inches

Date Skied/Logged: April 8, 2006
New Snow: 2”
Weather: Sunny
Snow Conditions: powder/packed powder

Fill Yer Cup at the Basin

The final leg of the Adventure Passport: Resort Challenge took us to Arapahoe Basin, legendary for its steep terrain and party atmosphere. After visiting every mountain in the state of Colorado this season, we were anxious to throw ourselves down the terrain surrounding the Pallavicini Lift. Our riding friends told us to watch out before we went— the Pali Face, Alley’s 1-3, East Avenue—it was all scary and one missed turn could mean trouble. But after spending considerable time hanging by a thread in Southern Colorado, the steeps around Pali seemed manageable. We were hardly disappointed, but hardly frightened either. In fact, we were relieved to have the opportunity to make fast turns again in soft, forgiving snow.

Like Loveland, Arapahoe Basin gives riders a high-Alpine feel. A massive, above-treeline bowl scattered with cornices and chutes gives riders a variety of options to choose from. Taking a moderate hike along the North Pole route brings big-mountain terrain into play on the East Wall, as do boot packs from the East Wall Traverse up to Corner Chute and the North Pole.

We found the softest snow on the East Wall amongst the Land of the Giants, which gets tracked out quickly because of its easy access. The East Wall Traverse is a little tricky at times and often turns people away, which leaves untracked lines the further you go out, but beware. This terrain is best when accessed early on a powder day, and before the sun has a chance to bake the top layers, turning it into creme Brule.

At the end of the day, we sat on the sundeck and watched the festivities on the beach as we downed what seemed like the final après brew of the season. Yet, with another month worth of dumps on tap and two of our favorite resorts, in Loveland and Arapahoe Basin still open, this would hardly be our last day on the hill, just our last day reporting it.

2006 was a magical season for snow enthusiasts in Colorado as snowfall records broke all over the state. Our travels with Adventure Passports have provided us and Club Colorado readers an opportunity to view the mountains we ride from a local’s perspective. And of course, a chance to prove that it can be done—that is, riding all 25 in one season. There were ailments and injuries along the way, but it was also the most memorable ski season we’ve ever had. We owe Colorado Ski Country USA, all of the resorts, and the people who support those resorts a huge thank you for sponsoring us throughout our challenge! THANK YOU!!

See you next season…

By the Book

• Green—Sawmill/Divide Trail: warm up on this signature A-Basin historic tour at the top of Exhibition lift. Signs along the way tell the story of the early work and difficulty of logging on the Continental Divide.
• Blue—Dercum’s Gulch: named for Max Dercum, a founding director of A-Basin. Dercum would be shocked the by Mutha Hucker terrain park located next door to his namesake cruising run.

• Black—Pallavicini: we had heard the hype before our arrival. An old friend told us it was the steepest terrain anywhere near I-70 and not to miss a turn, especially in the Alleys, for fear of falling to the valley floor below. No worries. In the Alleys the snow was the softest and deepest, and it felt like we had ample room to make turns. Each trip back to the Basin will be spent navigating the Alleys, as they were that good.

• Party Time—The Beach: So this tradition has been going on forever right? We kind of look at it like we do any old, wild, Colorado tradition (think College Days and the Mall Crawl) that was altered by the powers that be—it’s a drag. Before camping in the parking lot was outlawed, the Beach was a sick, legendary party on an almost nightly basis during May. Over the years, other resorts even created expensive end-of-season parties just to compete with what the Basin did for free. It’s still a good collection of kegs, BBQs and snow bunnies in bikinis.

Our Favorites

• Land of the Giants: you have to wait for the bombing to end before gaining access to this wonderland of drifts and drops, but it is worth the wait. Enter through the gate, traverse over and pick your line through the rocks.
• 1st Alley: located right next to Pali Face, the 1st Alley is the easiest of the three Alley chutes, but still provides a challenge. The snow on this side of the mountain was the deepest and softest—like mid-season conditions. On our next trip to the Basin, we may spend the entire day in these trees, depending on conditions.

• Norway Lift: if you are afraid of spending your day on the Pallavicini Lift, come here. Wide open bowl skiing, cornices galore, and just enough steepness to keep the intermediates on their toes and the experts smiling. The Norway Lift also gives riders a great view of the East Wall.

For more information about the Passport to Ski Areas of Colorado, or to purchase your own copy please visit www.adventurepassports.com