Fancy a last minute trip to Colorado?

By Skier & Snowboarder on 26th May 2017

Photo: Ashley Ojala/Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

We often get calls at the Skier & Snowboarder from people looking to get a final fix of skiing and snowboarding right at the end of the season. All of the major European resorts are now closed, but due to some unusually late snowfalls in North America there are some great conditions to be had if you don’t mind a transatlantic crossing.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (A-Basin), home of the longest ski and ride season in Colorado, is reopening its lifts for a bonus weekend of skiing and snowboarding on Friday, 9 June 9 through to Sunday, 11 June.

Photo: Ashley Ojala/Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

The Black Mountain Express and Lenawee Mountain lifts will operate from 8:30am to 2:30pm with top-to-bottom skiing. If snow conditions allow, there is a chance that A-Basin will be able to extend to another bonus weekend as well.

“We had a tremendous storm in mid-May that brought two feet of snow to the ski area, and the conditions have been outstanding,” said Alan Henceroth, Arapahoe Basin Chief Operating Officer. “We’re not closing yet, and if the snow quality remains this good, we may be able to extend even beyond the 11^th.”

“There is definitely a demand for skiing in the late spring in Colorado. People are excited to be out on the hill,” Henceroth said.

If you can go at short notice, Arapahoe Basin will still be open seven days a week until Sunday, June 4. Discounted lift tickets can be purchased online in advance on the ski area’s website: tickets.arapahoebasin.com.

For more information about A-Basin’s extended season, including lift ticket pricing and skier service information, please go to:

www.arapahoebasin.com/bonusweekend

Photo: Rachel Bock/Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

The recent winter storms that dropped 18 inches of new snow recently also means Aspen Mountain in Colorado is opening this Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-29).

The Ajax Express chairlift will run from 10am-2pm for skiers and snowboarders to take advantage of the 130 acres of Aspen Mountain’s upper blue runs as well as black runs such as Summit and Blondie’s.

“With a pleasant spring squall dropping additional snow on the top of Aspen Mountain last week, we are excited to kick-off our summer season with skiing/riding,” said Rich Burkley, vice president of mountain operations, Aspen Skiing Company. “The weekend will offer classic conditions for a Colorado multi-sport weekend with town green and the mountain white.”