Where is Arapahoe Basin?

Arapahoe Basin is a ski resort in the United States.

How high is Arapahoe Basin?

Arapahoe Basin runs from a base elevation of 3,286 m (10,781 ft) to a summit of 3,978 m (13,051 ft), giving a vertical drop of 692 m (2,270 ft).

How big is Arapahoe Basin?

Arapahoe Basin has 1,428 acres (578 hectares) of skiable terrain, 147 marked runs and 9 lifts.

Which ski pass covers Arapahoe Basin?

Arapahoe Basin is on the Ikon Pass. Access terms such as blackout dates and day limits vary by pass tier, so check the pass operator for the current season.

When is ski season at Arapahoe Basin?

Arapahoe Basin typically operates from October to May. Exact opening and closing dates shift each year with snowfall — check the resort's current season dates before booking.

How much snow does Arapahoe Basin get in a typical season?

Arapahoe Basin averages 350 inches / 890 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.

Part of Summit County · 5 ski areas

Also:Breckenridge Keystone Copper Mountain Loveland Ski Area

View all Summit County conditions →

View resorts

Tier B — Favored

📷 Arapahoe Basin

North America

Arapahoe Basin

Name: SnowSure MCP Server
Author: SnowSure

Pre-season — not open yet

Last season ended May 16, 2026

Conditions data updated Sat, Aug 29, 12:01 PM UTC · informational only

Scroll for happiness

Pre-season — not open yet — closed May 16

Weather data is still collected for informational purposes.

Last Snowfall

Past 24 Hours

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Past 48 Hours

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Past 10 Days

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14-Day Forecast

0.1cm

Snow Depth

🎿

Powder Days

2026–27 season

Updated: Aug 29, 12:01 PM•Weather at base: 3286m

Overview

Arapahoe Basin is a ski resort in North America, United States, currently not operating today (Last season ended May 16, 2026). Conditions last updated 2026-08-29 12:01 UTC.

Resort Guide

Arapahoe Basin, located in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, is renowned for its high elevation, long ski season, and diverse terrain that caters to both advanced and beginner skiers. The resort features over 1,400 acres of skiable terrain, including challenging steeps, open bowls, and scenic glades. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and iconic “Beach” tailgating area at the base, Arapahoe Basin offers a unique mountain experience with modern amenities, on-mountain dining, and a focus on sustainability. Its extended season, often running into June, distinguishes it as a premier destination for spring skiing.

Gallery

Click to expand • 10 total photos

Terrain & lifts

Resort-reported stats for Arapahoe Basin

Lifts

Skiable area

1428 ac

Longest run

4 km / 2.5 mi

Runs by difficulty(147 total)

Beginner

7% of terrain

Intermediate

20% of terrain

Advanced

49% of terrain

Expert

24% of terrain

Run counts estimated from resort-reported totals and terrain mix.

Terrain by difficulty

Beginner7%
Intermediate20%
Advanced49%
Expert24%

Lift fleet

High-speed 61
High-speed quad1
Double chair1
Surface lift4

Resort Info

Summit3978m

Base3286m

Vertical692m

Lifts9

Runs147

Skiable Area1428 acres

Average snowfall350 inches / 890 cm

CountryUnited States

Visit Resort Website →Follow on Instagram →View Trail Map →

Season dates

Last season endedMay 16, 2026

Projected openingOctober 24, 2026

Ski passes

Ikon Pass

View resorts →

Access tiers change by season — confirm benefits on the pass operator's site.

Top Après Ski

6th Alley Bar & Grill – Renowned for its laid-back vibe and stunning mountain views, this slopeside bar is a favorite among locals and visitors alike for its craft beers, signature bacon bloody marys, and lively après-ski scene.

Snow Summary

3978mECMWF Model

Updated Aug 29, 2026 at 12:01 PM

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14-Day Forecast

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Previous10 Days

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TODAYAug 29

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Previous 10 Days

Today / High Snow

14-Day Forecast

Weekend

Historical data from Open-Meteo archive • Forecast from ECMWF IFS model

Snowfall Forecast Maps

Rockies & Southwest region

Current Conditions

Reported Sat, Aug 29, 12:01 PM UTC

Depth by source

every reading we have

SNOTELBase 0cm

The headline depth uses the most trusted available source. We show every reading so you can judge for yourself.

Base

3286m

Temp

7.8°C

Wind

11.6km/h

Snow Depth

14-Day Forecast

0.1cm

Mid-Mountain

3632m

Temp

--°C

Wind

13km/h

Snow Depth

14-Day Forecast

0.1cm

Summit

3978m

Temp

3.3°C

Wind

11.6km/h

Snow Depth

14-Day Forecast

0.1cm

El Niño Outlook · Winter 2026-27

Arapahoe Basin El Niño rank & forecast

Arapahoe Basin ranks #151 of 488 SnowSure resorts — Tier B, +5% in strong El Niño winters.

Tier B — Favored: Modest El Niño upside (+3% to +8% vs normal). Often a solid pick, without the biggest Andes-style swings.

#151 of 488Tier B — Favored

Strong-event signal: +5% vs this resort's 30-yr avg

In the three strongest El Niño winters on record ('97-98, '15-16, '23-24), Arapahoe Basin averaged +5% versus its own 30-year snowfall baseline. The pattern has historically been a friend here. With a record-strength event forecast for winter 2026-27, Arapahoe Basin sits on the favorable side of the ledger. Analog winters: '97-98 -19%, '15-16 +1%, '23-24 +33%. A pattern, not a promise.

'97-98 −19%'15-16 +1%'23-24 +33%

Signal = average snowfall in the three strongest El Niño winters since 1996 ('97-98, '15-16, '23-24) vs this resort's own 30-year ERA5 baseline. n=3 — a lean, not a law. Updated monthly against measured snowfall Dec–Mar.

Full El Niño report →

Key

What the tiers mean

% vs each resort's own 30-year average in strong El Niño winters.

Tier	Signal	Means
A — Prime terrain	≥ +8%	Historically much snowier than normal.
B — Favored	+3% to +8%	Modest upside vs normal.
C — ENSO-proof	about −3% to +3%	Near-normal snowfall — a hedge, not a jackpot or bust.
D — Late bloomer	−3% to −8%	Often lighter early — aim Feb–Mar.
E — Timing play	≤ −8%	Often lighter overall — aim late winter.

Live Conditions

Arapahoe Basin Webcams

All Webcams

Arapahoe Basin / HDRelay

4 webcams • Click to expand

Local Reports

0 reports

SnowSure™ Forecast Range

Daily Snowfall Forecast by Model

Black line = verified SnowSure™ blend (not a simple average). Weights update weekly from measured snowfall at SNOTEL stations and resort reports.

SnowSure™ blend — verified model weighting

The black line is not a simple average. For Arapahoe Basin (rockies), we combine seven global weather models using weights learned from daily forecast verification — comparing each model's prediction to measured snowfall (SNOTEL, resort reports, ERA5).

1.Horizon buckets: days 1–3, 4–7, and 8–14 each get separate weights — short-range skill differs from long-range.
2.Regional calibration: weights come from verified error in this geography (Rockies, Alps, Japan, etc.), recalculated weekly.
3.Ground truth only: we never grade a forecast against another model — only against measured snow.

Building verification history for this resort.

How we verify forecasts →

Hourly Forecast Detail

AM / PM / Night breakdown with wind and freezing level

NWP models refresh up to 4× daily · Last synced Aug 29, 12:01 PM

Hourly Forecast Detail
	Today 15 / 25.4mm			Sun, Aug 30 9 / 13.3mm			Mon, Aug 31 11 / 10.6mm			Tue, Sep 1 12 / 1			Wed, Sep 2 12 / 0			Thu, Sep 3 13 / -10.3mm
Period	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Snow (cm)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Precip (mm)	0	2.6	2.8	0.4	2.5	0.4	0	0.5	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.3	0
Temp (°C)	8	13	4	5	9	3	6	10	3	5	11	3	5	11	3	6	12	4
Wind (km/h)	17	18	13	19	19	13	10	5	7	16	14	6	20	16	8	7	9	5
Gusts (km/h)	53	56	40	57	60	43	32	26	23	48	46	30	44	51	39	32	38	34

14-Day Snow Forecast by Model

Summit elevation (3978m)

ECMWF

0cm

GFS

0.6cm

GEM

0cm

JMA

0cm

ICON

0cm

Météo-Fr

0cm

SnowSure™

0.1cm

10-Day Forecast

Today

🌧️

15.1°

1.9°

22 km/h

Sun

🌧️

8.9°

1.4°

21 km/h

Mon

🌧️

10.8°

0.9°

12 km/h

Tue

☁️

11.8°

0.8°

18 km/h

Wed

☀️

12°

0.4°

23 km/h

Thu

🌧️

12.7°

-0.9°

11 km/h

Fri

🌧️

13.4°

1°

16 km/h

Sat

🌧️

14.6°

1.8°

7 km/h

Sun

🌧️

14.2°

0.8°

13 km/h

Mon

🌧️

14.9°

1.6°

18 km/h

Summit elevation (3978m) • ECMWF model

Avalanche

Off-season — no rating published

Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Watch for signs of unstable snow such as recent avalanches, cracking in the snow, and audible collapsing. Avoid traveling on or under similar slopes.

Read the official bulletin ↗

SnowSure relays the official avalanche bulletin and does not issue avalanche forecasts. Read the full bulletin at the issuer’s link and make your own terrain decisions. Not a substitute for avalanche education, equipment, or local knowledge.

Getting There

Drive times & access

Last updated 12:13 PM

6 cameras · 3 sensors nearby

Official map ↗

Drive conditions

Quiet — No winter restrictions — typical off-season pavement

No chain controls or closures on the highways SnowSure watches near Arapahoe Basin. Nearest roadside sensor (I-70 216.60 Eastbound : 0.4 mile East of US-6 Loveland Pass, 5.2 km): Above freezing. Late-season / summer readings are not a winter forecast. The resort road status and the official DOT map are authoritative — re-check before you drive.

SnowSure take from the live sensors. Not the resort's road status.

Roadside weather sensors

I-70 216.60 Eastbound : 0.4 mile East of US-6 Loveland Pass

5.2 km · CDOT

Above freezing

Road surface: 12°C
Wind: 0 km/h
Precip: no precipitation

Updated 12:13 PM

I-70 218.15 Westbound : 0.3 mile West of Herman Gulch Road

6.7 km · CDOT

Above freezing

Road surface: 10°C
Air: 7°C
Wind: 3 km/h
Precip: other

Updated 12:13 PM

I-70 213.20 Eastbound : 0.6 mile West of Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel

7.3 km · CDOT

Above freezing

Air: 10°C
Wind: 15 km/h
Precip: no precipitation

Updated 10:53 AM

Highway cameras near Arapahoe Basin

US 6 MP 226.25 WB : 2.5 miles W of Loveland Ski Area 2 road camera — US 6 MP 226.25 WB : 2.5 miles W of Loveland Ski Area 24.1 km · CDOT

I-70 MP 215.90 WB : 0.7 miles E of Eisenhower Tunnel road camera — I-70 MP 215.90 WB : 0.7 miles E of Eisenhower Tunnel4.8 km · CDOT

I-70 MP 216.60 EB : 0.4 miles E of US 6 Loveland Pass 4 road camera — I-70 MP 216.60 EB : 0.4 miles E of US 6 Loveland Pass 44.9 km · CDOT

I-70 MP 216.60 EB : 0.4 miles E of US 6 Loveland Pass 2 road camera — I-70 MP 216.60 EB : 0.4 miles E of US 6 Loveland Pass 24.9 km · CDOT

I-70 MP 216.60 EB : 0.4 miles E of US 6 Loveland Pass 1 road camera — I-70 MP 216.60 EB : 0.4 miles E of US 6 Loveland Pass 14.9 km · CDOT

I-70 MP 215.60 EB : 0.3 miles E of Eisenhower Tunnel road camera — I-70 MP 215.60 EB : 0.3 miles E of Eisenhower Tunnel4.9 km · CDOT

Live highway sensors & cameras within ~30–40 km, via CDOT. Conditions on the drive, not the mountain — the resort's own road status is authoritative. Always re-check before a winter drive.

Season vs Historic

Updated Sat, Aug 29, 12:01 PM UTC

0cm

Season Total

This Season to Date

—

vs 5-Year Avg

Off-season · 216cm full-season avg

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vs 30-Year Avg

Off-season · 204cm full-season avg

216cm

5-Yr Avg by Now

The last completed season totaled ~177.1 cm. That's 18% below the 5-year average (216 cm). Versus the 30-year baseline: 13% below the 30-year average (204 cm).

Arapahoe Basin Snow History

Average annual snowfall is 288cm with an average of 135 snowfall days per season. The table below shows monthly averages across 30 seasons of archive data (modeled snowpack at mid-elevation).

Average monthly snowfall history
Month	Avg Snowfall	Snowfall Days	Avg Base Depth	Max Base Depth	Biggest Snowfall
November	26.2cm	13 days	15cm	26cm	7.1cm
December	29.6cm	16 days	31cm	44cm	6.9cm
January	30.2cm	17 days	49cm	62cm	6.7cm
February	32.3cm	18 days	64cm	78cm	6.4cm
March	39.8cm	18 days	75cm	88cm	9.1cm
April	52.4cm	19 days	80cm	96cm	12cm
May	35.8cm	15 days	66cm	91cm	10.4cm

Source: SnowSure archive · Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis at mid-elevation. Depth is modeled, not resort-reported.

Season at a Glance

Next season(2026-27)

Opens Oct 24, 2026

Through May 16, 2027

Multi-season averages will appear once SnowSure has tracked more than one full season.

ENSO seasonal analog

History · not a forecast

In 10 past El Niño winters at Arapahoe Basin, ERA5 season snowfall median was 299 cm (118 in), about 3% above this resort’s long-term median. This is a historical analog from reanalysis — not a prediction of this winter’s storm track.

Prevailing ONI

El Niño

MJJ 2026 · ANOM +1.39°C

Analog season median

299 cm

10 El Niño winters · 3% above median

All-season median

289 cm

Across 30 ERA5 seasons (2026-27)

Phase	Seasons	Median	p25–p75	Recent analogs
El Niñocurrent	10	299 cm	273 cm – 328 cm	2023, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2009
La Niña	12	281 cm	242 cm – 320 cm	2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2011, 2010
ENSO-neutral	8	293 cm	234 cm – 301 cm	2025, 2024, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2003

Season snowfall from Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis (~9 km). ENSO phase from NOAA CPC Oceanic Niño Index. Relative phase differences are more trustworthy than absolute cm totals. Source: NOAA CPC Oceanic Niño Index + Open-Meteo ERA5 via SnowSure season archive.

Best Months to Visit

February

Peak Season

January

Peak Season

March

Good

December

Good

Note: Based on typical ski season patterns for this region.

Back to All Destinations

Frequently asked questions about Arapahoe Basin

Where is Arapahoe Basin?: Arapahoe Basin is a ski resort in the United States.
How high is Arapahoe Basin?: Arapahoe Basin runs from a base elevation of 3,286 m (10,781 ft) to a summit of 3,978 m (13,051 ft), giving a vertical drop of 692 m (2,270 ft).
How big is Arapahoe Basin?: Arapahoe Basin has 1,428 acres (578 hectares) of skiable terrain, 147 marked runs and 9 lifts.
Which ski pass covers Arapahoe Basin?: Arapahoe Basin is on the Ikon Pass. Access terms such as blackout dates and day limits vary by pass tier, so check the pass operator for the current season.
When is ski season at Arapahoe Basin?: Arapahoe Basin typically operates from October to May. Exact opening and closing dates shift each year with snowfall — check the resort's current season dates before booking.
How much snow does Arapahoe Basin get in a typical season?: Arapahoe Basin averages 350 inches / 890 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.
How will El Niño affect Arapahoe Basin in winter 2026-27?: El Niño Signal Rank: #151 of 488 SnowSure resorts · Tier B · strong-event signal +5% vs its own 30-yr average. In the three strongest El Niño winters on record ('97-98, '15-16, '23-24), Arapahoe Basin averaged +5% versus its own 30-year snowfall baseline. The pattern has historically been a friend here. With a record-strength event forecast for winter 2026-27, Arapahoe Basin sits on the favorable side of the ledger. Analog winters: '97-98 -19%, '15-16 +1%, '23-24 +33%. A pattern, not a promise.

Arapahoe Basin

Overview

Resort Guide

Gallery

Terrain & lifts

Runs by difficulty(147 total)

Terrain by difficulty

Lift fleet

Resort Info

Top Après Ski

Snow Summary

Snowfall Forecast Maps

Current Conditions

Depth by source

Arapahoe Basin El Niño rank & forecast

Arapahoe Basin Webcams

Local Reports

Daily Snowfall Forecast by Model

SnowSure™ blend — verified model weighting

Hourly Forecast Detail

14-Day Snow Forecast by Model

10-Day Forecast

Off-season — no rating published

Drive times & access

Roadside weather sensors

Highway cameras near Arapahoe Basin

Season vs Historic

Arapahoe Basin Snow History

Season at a Glance

ENSO seasonal analog

Best Months to Visit

Frequently asked questions about Arapahoe Basin

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