As we approach the midway point of January, it’s evident that Colorado is behind on snowfall not just in the numbers, but in the way skiers are spending their time on the mountain.
Ski patrol and mountain operations teams all over the state have had their hands full, to say the least. Opening new terrain and creating space on the mountain is directly correlated to guest experience, but more importantly, guest safety. To put it lightly, it has been a madhouse out there.
For skiers and riders, new terrain openings mean new opportunities. The ability to mix up line choice, slope angle, and zone on Colorado mountains has been constricted. Beaver Creek, Copper, Winter Park, Breckenridge, and many others still have less than 50 percent of their terrain open.
Arapahoe Basin is no different, with just 23 of 147 runs open. Even with this weekend’s opening of the legendary Pallavicini Chair, A-Basin guests are still constricted to mainly frontside blues and greens.
But they’re making an effort to provide the best possible guest experience they can. On Monday, January 12, A-Basin announced they would be offering directed skiing and riding on the frontside of the mountain as well as terrain off of the Pali chair.
The ski area’s social media team released an operations update surrounding these directed openings. “Our team is hard at work getting as much terrain open as possible. In the meantime, we will be expanding our limited and directed skiing program.”
To take advantage of this opportunity, guests can locate a stationed patroller and take part in a guided route down the selected run. Not only will this give guests access to more terrain options, but it will also help with snow compaction and spread out traffic on the mountain.” A win-win for guests looking to ski fresh snow and the mountain hoping to increase safety.
In an additional comment, A-Basin’s social media team clarified, “This does not mean patrol is opening runs just for you. Patrol does important work around the mountain, and you do not want to get in their way of that! You’ll know when you see it they’ll be by closed trail signs, they’ll be looking to chat, and a group may be gathered.”
While this season’s weather has been far from perfect, mountains are doing the best they can with the present conditions. A-Basin’s guided openings are no exception. As we look ahead, warm and dry weather persists for the next 10 days, though a developing low-pressure system brings hope for snowfall beginning around January 23.
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