Ikon Pass Live forecast Updated July 2026

Arapahoe Basin CO

Arapahoe Basin is an Ikon Pass ski area in Colorado: 165 trails, 1,698 ft vertical, 1,428 acres.

Base to summit 10,780 to 13,050 ft · 1,698 ft vertical

See if this is your best pick Official Arapahoe Basin site

Live snow forecast for the next 72 hours. Use the main tool to see how it stacks up against other mountains on your drive. No account needed.

Current snapshot

Forecast snow (72h)
… Temp tomorrow
350" Avg annual snow
165 Trails

Why skiers choose Arapahoe Basin

Editor's take

A-Basin is the Summit County antidote to overbuilt ski trips.

By the WhereToSkiNext.com editorial desk Updated May 2026

Arapahoe Basin has a clear personality. It is high, exposed, simple, and more interested in skiing than pampering. That makes it one of the best Colorado recommendations for people who want the mountain to be the main event and do not need the trip wrapped in a village.

The terrain has real bite, especially when the upper mountain and steeper zones are skiing well. A-Basin also has a season-length identity that matters, with spring and late-season days that feel like their own culture rather than the end of winter.

The warning is that A-Basin is not trying to solve every group problem. Beginners, luxury seekers, and people who want town energy may be happier elsewhere. This is a skier's choice, and that is exactly the appeal.

If not Arapahoe Basin, then
Loveland→
Another high-elevation, no-village option with a practical Front Range feel.
Breckenridge→
The full town-and-resort alternative when the group needs more than skiing.
How this review was put together

Mountain data comes from each resort's own operator materials. That covers trail counts, vertical drop, lift configurations, and ticket pricing. Pass affiliations track Epic, Ikon, and Indy Pass network listings. Historical snowfall averages combine OpenSnow archives, NOAA station data, and Open-Meteo's archive API.

Editorial takes draw on ski media coverage (SKI Magazine, Powder, Storm Skiing Journal, regional outlets including NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com and Unofficial Networks), aggregator comparisons (ZRankings, PeakRankings, OnTheSnow) for cross-reference, and skier forums and trip reports for crowd-pattern signal. Live crowd outlook on the main tool is generated by WhereToSkiNext's own pressure model, which is built specifically for the question of when a mountain is likely to feel busy rather than how busy it has been historically.

Where I have skied the mountain, that experience anchors the call. Where I have not, the take is synthesized from the sources above. No resort pays for ranking placement or editorial influence on WhereToSkiNext. Reviews are updated as conditions, ownership, or pass affiliations change.

Independent review. No resort paid for placement or editorial influence.

Pass guide

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Vertical Drop
1,698 ft
Trails
165 runs
Lift-served acres
1,428 ac
Avg Annual Snow
350"
Day Ticket*
$110
Lifts
9

Mountain details

Pass Ikon Pass
Base / Summit 10,780 / 13,050 ft
Longest Run 1.5 mi
Night Skiing No
Terrain Park Yes
Lift fleet 1 6-pack, 1 Detach Quad, 3 Fixed Quad, 1 Double, 1 Ropetow, 2 Carpet
Resort website Visit official site

Terrain breakdown

Beginner
10%
Intermediate
22%
Advanced
68%
Snowmaking Yes
State Colorado

When Arapahoe Basin gets crowded

Our model predicts crowd pressure for a typical week here: who this mountain draws, how its lifts absorb a rush, and how each day loads it. It is a prediction, not a turnstile count. Snow in the forecast pushes any of these days up.

Midweek Moderate
Friday Moderate
Saturday Moderate
Sunday Moderate
Holiday weeks Busy

Lift lines are not the thing that will decide your day at Arapahoe Basin. Christmas and Presidents weeks are the only times it really fills in.

Get the crowd forecast for your exact ski day

Common questions about Arapahoe Basin

Is Arapahoe Basin on the Ikon Pass?

Yes. Arapahoe Basin is an Ikon Pass mountain. Pass holders can ski here as part of their pass benefits. Check the current pass terms for any blackout dates or restrictions.

How many trails does Arapahoe Basin have?

Arapahoe Basin has 165 trails covering 1,428 lift-served acres with 1,698 feet of vertical drop. The terrain breakdown is roughly 10% beginner, 22% intermediate, and 68% advanced or expert.

Is Arapahoe Basin good for beginners?

Arapahoe Basin is not an ideal mountain for beginners. Only about 10% of the terrain is beginner-rated, and the mountain skews toward more experienced skiers.

How much does a lift ticket cost at Arapahoe Basin?

Day ticket prices at Arapahoe Basin start at approximately $110, though window rates vary by date and demand. Ikon Pass holders ski here as part of their pass.

What is the average annual snowfall at Arapahoe Basin?

Arapahoe Basin averages approximately 350 inches of snowfall per season. The mountain uses snowmaking to help hold coverage and extend the season. This is well above average and makes it a reliable snow destination.

When is the best time to ski Arapahoe Basin?

January through early March is typically peak season at Arapahoe Basin when snowpack is deepest and conditions are most consistent. December can be good if the season starts early. Midweek visits are almost always less crowded than weekends, especially when pass holders fill the mountain on Saturdays and holidays.

Is Arapahoe Basin right for you?

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Compare this mountain with the full list

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*Day ticket prices are approximate and vary by date, demand, age, and promotions. Always confirm pricing directly with Arapahoe Basin before purchasing.