Industry News
Arapahoe Basin is one of the highest-elevation ski resorts in North America, has one of the longest ski seasons on the continent, and is one of the most challenging ski resorts in the country. A-Basin’s high-alpine environment is incredibly diverse, ranging from easy lower mountain cruisers and the wide-open intermediate terrain of the upper mountain and Montezuma Bowl, to the incomparable steeps, trees, and bumps of Pallavicini, East Wall, North Glades, and adventurous expert terrain found in the Steep Gullies and Beaver’s areas. With skiing often from October to June, A-Basin boasts one of the longest ski seasons in North America.
On May 15, 2025, the resort announced its Draft Master Development Plan (MDP), a comprehensive guide for the ski area’s future development that outlines a long-term vision and proposed products. The acceptance of this document by the United States Forest Service (USFS) acts as a planning tool for A-Basin and does not imply authorization to proceed with implementation of any of the projects. All projects within the MDP will require site-specific environmental analysis and approval per the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (NEPA).
Seven key sections of A-Basin’s MDP aim to improve the mountain for its guests in the future. The MDP includes creating a skier service hub at Sawmill Flats, better utilizing terrain for instruction, expanding and ensuring the quality of space for employees, enhancing circulation at the base area, building summer activities, expanding parking, and improving the quality of skier services. Significant upgrades include building two new gondolas from Upper Last Chance parking to the pedestrian tunnel and a gondola from the base area to Sawmill Flats.
According to the MDP, the goal of the upgrade plan is to produce a high-quality experience throughout the recreational area. The plan is tailored to improve A-Basin’s ability to respond to its market and skier demands through the development of an enhanced learning area, improved efficiency of lift operations, better on-mountain connectivity, increased space in guest service facilities, and development of a multiseason recreational presence. This plan is intended to improve the ski area’s current market niche and help attract new visitors.
A-Basin’s MDP includes upgrading its current lift system with two new gondolas and a detachable chairlift. A pulse gondola is planned at the base area with the main purpose of transporting guests to and from the parking areas. One terminal would be near the entrance of Last Chance and Upper Last Chance and the other would be near the pedestrian tunnel under the highway. The gondola would allow guests to ride in either direction. The gondola would eliminate the need for the shuttle system, increasing efficiency and reducing congestion around the parking area. The gondola is only used for transporting guests and would not impact the resort’s lift network capability.
Another gondola will be at the base area and ascend to the planned on-mountain skier services hub at Sawmill Flats. A-Basin is constrained by limited base area space and the lack of beginner terrain. This gondola is geared towards allowing beginners to access the learning area at Sawmill Flats and reduce long wait times at Black Mountain Express.
The Wrangler lift, a detachable chairlift, is planned to run from Sawmill Flats to upper Wrangler. It will work with the one gondola to reduce traffic at Black Mountain Express and transport beginner skiers to the lower east side of the resort. The planned Wrangler lift, the gondola, and the enhanced learning area will facilitate access to this area for less experienced skiers.
Snowmaking is critical to operations, and according to the MDP, A-Basin is planning to increase its snowmaking capabilities. A-Basin plans to make snow on 65 additional acres, bringing its total snowmaking coverage to 140 acres. Twenty-four of the additional 65 acres were previously approved in the 1999 ROD. The Record of Decision approved snowmaking and upgraded facilities, utilities, and lifts. Currently, A-Basin has six aerial lifts, two carpet conveyors, one surface lift, and 147 lift-served alpine trails throughout 1,428 skiable acres.
Approximately 25 acres of snowmaking in Montezuma Bowl are planned to ensure the lift can remain open during low snow periods early or late in the season. Snow coverage is also planned for portions of Shining Light and Columbine to ensure there is a route down from Zuma. 21 acres of snowmaking are planned for Loafer and Davis runs to ensure those intermediate routes have a quality snow surface and are skiable during low snow years. Snowmaking will be added to Humbug, West Gully, and near the bottom of Upper Wrangler and Shooting Gallery to ensure Lenawee Express is accessible. Some additional coverage is planned on Grizzly Road, near West Wall, and the ridge between the Frontside and the Beavers to facilitate skier circulation. To support the development of the Sawmill Flats area and the new Wrangler lift, snowmaking is planned under the lift line of the Wrangler lift, on Middle Wrangler, Chisholm Trail, and North Fork.
A new skier services hub is planned at Sawmill Flats. The new building addresses existing space deficiencies and provides a higher-quality guest experience. It will be home to a learning center, rental shop, additional food and beverage service and seating, office space, and other functions such as restrooms. The building will have a footprint of approximately 10,000 square feet and multiple stories.
Although the USFS’s acceptance of the MDP acts as a planning tool for A-Basin, it does not imply authorization to proceed with the implementation of any of the projects. “We continue to be focused on creating the best experience for our guests and employees,” Alan Henceroth, President and COO, said in a press release. “That’s why you see projects like expanding parking, considering safety on Highway 6, improved snowmaking, and increasing snow safety for our on-mountain employees with new remote avalanche mitigation systems.”
The MDP states multiple priorities as potential projects for the ski area to develop over time. It is intended to be a dynamic document that may be amended, and all projects are pending acceptance from the USFS. An MDP Open House will be held on Friday, May 31, at 4:00 PM on the second floor of the A-Frame to discuss these plans with Arapahoe Basin’s Senior Leadership Team.
MDP Images
