Geography and Climate
The A-Basin East Wall has a summit elevation of 13,050 feet (3,978 m). It is widely regarded as the highest in-bounds skiable terrain in North America, but the Telluride resort boasts Palmyra Peak (13,320 ft (4,060 m)) and Silverton Mountain has terrain up to 13,487 feet (4,111 m). Due to its high elevation (at tree line) and its mostly north-to-northeast face, the Basin's ski season is much longer than most Colorado resorts. Arapahoe Basin is known for a clientele of hardcore, yet relaxed folks that like simply to ski and avoid the glamour associated with resorts like Aspen. It has been known to stay open until July and opens for the season in mid-October, often making it the first ski area to open in North America.
A-Basin is located just below Loveland Pass and offers a spectacular view of the Continental Divide (which it borders) from the lifts. From the top of the East Wall and the North Pole there are great views of Lake Dillon, Breckenridge, Keystone, Montezuma, and Loveland Pass.
The Basin is located about 68 miles (109 km) west of Denver, where Loveland and Eldora ski areas are somewhat closer, at 53 and 45 miles (72 km) respectively.
Read more about this topic: Arapahoe Basin
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