“The decision will enhance both the winter and summer recreation opportunities at A-Basin.” –White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams
Arapahoe Basin is about to get much bigger. The 958 acre ski area just received final approval for a 338 acre expansion into The White River National Forest as reported by The Denver Post. The expansion proposal was filed 4 years ago and will open up new areas with everything from mellow bowl skiing to the experts only cliffs and chutes zones known as the Beavers and Steep Gullies.
The expansion marks the largest since the resort nearly doubled in sized in 2007 when it added 400 acres of Montezuma Bowl. The Forest Service’s Record of Decision has approved adding a new lift to access Montezuma Bowl, replacement of both the Molly Hogan and Pallavicini chairlifts, and removal of the Norway lift. Zip-lines and a ropes course have also been approved.
“Lift replacements and grading will improve the quality of experience for skiers and snowboarders. Additionally, the summer aerial activity will reach a wide audience and provide experiences for an increasingly diverse recreating public.”
In addition to tacking on 338 acres for their guests, A-Basin wanted to mitigate avalanche incidents in the the Beavers and Steep Gullies zones, where six skiers have died in avalanches since 1982.
Congratulations to A-Basin and all of you who love it….it just got over 1/3 bigger! Go celebrate with some pre-feast hot laps!
[images from kdvr.com]