Arapahoe Basin Ski Area will tweak its parking reservation program next season, which will be the ski area’s first full season offering unlimited access to Ikon Pass members and its second season under the ownership of Alterra Mountain Co.

A-Basin began implementing a parking reservation system during the 2024-25 winter season, requiring parking reservations on weekends and select holidays in all of the ski area’s main lots through the height of the season.

“Overall, our reservation system was really successful this season in driving carpool numbers and greatly limiting traffic on Loveland Pass,” A-Basin communications manager Shayna Silverman said in an email. “We feel confident it will continue to be our governing factor, limiting crowding and supporting the A-Basin experience we all know and love.”

Thanks to the parking reservation system, Silverman said A-Basin during the 2024-25 season didn’t contribute to unsafe highway conditions on U.S. Highway 6 at Loveland Pass and never had to turn away skiers due to parking or highway problems. That is in contrast to past years when parking would sometimes reach capacity, resulting in skiers being turned away or illegally parking on Loveland Pass, occasionally resulting in vehicles being towed from the mountain pass.

A-Basin Chief Operating Officer Alan Henceroth has credited the parking reservation program with allowing the ski area to offer unlimited access on the Ikon Pass while maintaining the guest experience. Unlimited access will only be available with the full Ikon Pass, while the Ikon Base Pass will continue to offer five-day access to A-Basin during the 2025-26 season.

Like the 2024-25 season, parking reservations will continue to cost $20 per vehicle with a free option for vehicles that carpool with four people during the 2025-26 season, Silverman said. But next season, reservations will only be required on Saturdays and Sundays between Jan. 3 and May 3, she said. Parking will continue to be free after 1 p.m. on weekends.

“This is slightly different than last year with no holidays and a shorter date range,” Silverman said.

Additionally, compared to last year when each parking account could only hold up to two reservations at any given time, each account will be able to hold up to four separate reservations at a time, Silverman said. Each account will still only be able to hold one reservation per day, she said.

Once again, A-Basin will be offering a limited number of parking season passes, which will go on sale to the general public beginning May 20, Silverman said. The parking season passes, which will still require a reservation but at no extra cost, will cost about $230, according to A-Basin.

Parking reservations will be required for the Early Riser Lot, the High Noon Lot, the Last Chance Lot and the Upper Last Chance Lot. Customers will also be able to buy parking access to The Beach, where rates vary, or in the Admin Lot, which costs $40 per reservation, according to the ski area. Accessible parking reservations are free.

Other ways to get to A-Basin next season will include taking the Snowstang bus, which offers a direct route from Denver’s Union Station to A-Basin, or Summit County’s Swan Mountain Flyer, offered by the free Summit Stage bus system, Silverman said. Guests can also use the TreadShare app to connect with other carpoolers heading to A-Basin, she said.