Arapahoe Basin’s season finally ended this past Sunday after the ski resort extended its season three times thanks to snowstorms in April and May. The season at the Colorado resort began on October 26, and the closing date of May 17 marks its earliest date in over a decade. Still, it has racked up an impressive 204 days over the 2025-26 season — a season that would be considered a major accomplishment for most resorts. But given the poor season the West has had this year, A-Basin’s 204 days is something that should be celebrated.
That leaves just five ski resorts still open in the United States: Killington, Vermont; Mammoth Mountain, California; and Timberline Lodge, Oregon, have yet to announce their closing dates. While Palisades Tahoe, California, is set to close on Sunday, May 24, and Boyne Mountain, Michigan, is planning to ski until Memorial Day.
- Related: Victor Glacier at Boyne Mountain, MI, Still Going Strong With Plans to Ski Until Memorial Day
A-Basin’s closing date was initially set at May 3 — almost a month earlier than usual — and at one point in early April, the resort feared it might not even make that. This has only happened once in the resort’s history. “The most important thing was that we stuck together; A-Basin is what it is because of our community,” Shayna Silverman, Communications Manager at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, said. “We have to all say a huge thank you to our staff who pulled it all off, who showed up even when the snow didn’t, and made this season the absolute best that it could be.”
Arapahoe Basin’s season was different than most years that featured low snow totals, warm temperatures, and thin coverage at times. The weather affected many ski resorts throughout Colorado and the West, which had to continually battle to make the best of what Mother Nature gave them. There were days that skiers and riders got to hit the Zuma Bowl, A-Basin’s south-facing backside bowl. The terrain is home to 400 acres of wide-open intermediate groomers, well-spaced trees, and rocky cliffs.
This season also featured two new events at Arapahoe Basin, the Uphill Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day and the A-Basin Enduro Open, where 35 teams of two battled it out with a round of golf on the snow. Typically, the resort hosts the Enduro ski days, where teams of two people ski as many laps as possible, but due to unsafe conditions on Pali, the event was modified. “This season was special in its own way,” Silverman said. “This season was about the chairlift chats and the days spent together on the mountain. It reminded us that no matter what, it is always a good day if you’re spending it at A-Basin.”
A-Basin will be closed until summer operations kick off on July 2 with its Aerial Adventure Park, Via Ferrata, mountain biking, hiking, and more. A Summer Pass is just $209 with early bird pricing, and is a $1,000 value. For skiers and riders counting down the days for next ski season to start, the A-Basin or Ikon Pass is on sale. The 2026-27 season’s opening day will be here sooner than you think.
Quick Facts & History
- Date Opened: 1946
- Multi-Destination Pass: Ikon Pass
- Number of Trails: 147
- Skiable Acres: 1,428
- Vertical Drop: 1,936 feet (lift-served), 2,530 feet (total)
- Base Elevation: 10,520 feet
- Summit Elevation: 13,050 feet
- Average Annual Snowfall: 350 inches
- Terrain Breakdown:
- Beginner: 4%
- Intermediate: 23%
- Advanced/Expert: 73%
- Number of Lifts: 9
- Night Skiing: No
