16-05-2025
Arapahoe Basin's Proposal To Build Two Gondolas Is Turning Heads
A surprising press release hit my inbox earlier this morning, May 16, 2025. The subject read, "A-Basin Master Development Plan", and the contents of the 122-page document that was attached had my head spinning. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, the once independently-owned, expert-oriented haunt has big plans for expansion under new owner Alterra Mountain 122-page document covers a laundry list of subjects, but the lift expansions, upgrades, and new terrain will be of most interest to skiers and snowboarders. We'll dive a bit deeper later in the article, but here are the major proposals we've gleaned from A-Basin's ambitious Master Development Plan:1. Arapahoe Basin wants to build not one, but two gondolas in the near future. One gondola will serve the parking lots and replace the ski area's parking shuttle system. Another gondola will transport guests from the base area to base of the new beginner area.2. Construction of a new detachable chairlift called that will access a new beginner learning area called located adjacent to the current trail.3. Construction of a new groomed trail in .4. A new skier services hub to be constructed at the new beginner area.5. Optimization of current parking lots and construction of two new parking to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.
Arapahoe Basin has big ambitions in their Master Development Plan, but a spokesperson from the ski area clarified the intention of releasing the Plan as is. "The MDP offers us a path forward but does not guarantee anything. The idea behind MDPs is to provide the USFS with any potential project we would be interested in doing in the coming years to benefit the ski area in one big proposal," says Shayna Silverman of Arapahoe Basin. "If the USFS accepts this plan, then each project must go through NEPA. If projects are accepted by the USFS and approved by NEPA, only then it's up to us on what projects we move forward with and when."Along with the highlighted proposals listed above, Arapahoe Basin wants to increase its snowmaking capacity by 65 acres. Bolstering snowmaking capabilities in Montezuma Bowl, on the Loafer and Davis runs in The Beavers, and on the Humbug, West Gully, Upper Wrangler, Shooting Gallery, and Grizzly Road runs on the frontside of the mountain. Snowmaking will also be constructed for the new Sawmill Flats beginner Master Development Plan also mentions installing remote avalanche systems along the East Wall and within Montezuma Bowl. These devices would replace the mountain's current avalauncher systems that resemble military will continue to keep tabs on Arapahoe Basin's Master Development Plan as progress is made. At this point, there is no stated timeframe for when the new lifts, runs, or snowmaking will be constructed. We will keep you updated if and when those timeframes are disclosed.
