Arapahoe Basin
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Arapahoe_Basin_parking_area.jpg
Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin or simply, the Basin) is a renowned ski area for alpine skiing high in the Colorado Rockies. Max and Edna Dercum started the ski area along with the Ski Tip Lodge in the 1940s. Since its early beginning, it has expanded to include over 60 trails serviced by 5 lifts. The east wall has a summit elevation of 13,050 feet (3977m), making it the highest skiable terrain in North America. About 250,000 skiers visit the ski area annually. Known popularly as "the Basin" by locals, it has gained a reputation as a skier's paradise. It is also considered one of the most convenient to the Denver area, being relatively close to Denver (though other ski resorts, such as Eldorado, are even more convenient) and close to an Interstate highway.
A-Basin is located just below Loveland Pass, and therefore offers a spectacular view of the Continental Divide (which it borders) from the lifts. Due to its high altitude (at treeline) and its mostly north to northeast face, the Basin remains open for skiing much longer than most Colorado resorts, and often starts earlier as well. It has been known to stay open until June. During the warm and sunny spring season, many locals have tailgate cookouts in a section of the parking lot (known as the "beach") just below the lifts.
Interstate 70 passes through and under the ski area, via the eastern end of the Eisenhower Tunnel. A siren similar to a civil defense siren can be heard occasionally while skiing near the base area, alerting large trucks that they are too tall to pass through safely.
On May 20, 2005, a skier was killed in an avalanche within the ski area at A-Basin. Although avalanche deaths are not uncommon for skiers ranging out of bounds, this was the first avalanche fatality in Colorado within a ski area since January 9, 1975, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
References
- Nicole Formosa (May 21, 2005). "Inbounds avalanche at A-Basin kills one (http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20050520/RECREATION01/105200035&SearchID=73209553715077)". Vail Daily, page A3.