Arapahoe Basin Ski Area kicked off its first season on the full Ikon Pass with the typical staples of opening day.

The ski area’s season officially started on Sunday, Oct. 26, with the first chair being loaded around 8:15 a.m., making it the second ski area in Summit County to open.

Festivities started earlier that morning with a breakfast sandwich operation, run by Summit County resident Zach Ryan and friends, parked right next to the Black Mountain Express lift. This year, they served up waffle sausage and egg sandwiches while collecting what Ryan described as “gnar points,” or good vibes to carry through the rest of the season. 

People couldn’t miss the first chair crew if they tried thanks to skier Darren Droge’s, or “Disco Darren,” custom disco-ball inspired helmet engraved with sayings like “The Legend,” a reference to the colloquial slogan for the resort, and his silver ski outfit. Next to him, wearing an eye-catching royal blue outfit, was Tom Miller, or “Trailer Tom.” Miller sported “33” on his outfit to represent what he said is a 33-year streak of being first chair at Arapahoe Basin. Droge said he holds a 33-year streak for second chair. The pair also got their first gondola at Keystone Resort’s opening day Saturday, Oct. 25. 

“Being first chair is so much fun, you get the whole wide-open run in front of you,” Miller said. “You know that all your friends are going to be out here with big smiles … It’s like a big family reunion.”

Nate Nadler, or “Nate Dogggg,” also made first chair at both Arapahoe Basin and Keystone. 

Miller said the crew was “slacking” compared to previous years where they were in line a full 24 hours earlier. This year, they got their first chair at Keystone around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 then immediately raced to Arapahoe Basin to grab a spot at the front of the lift line. 

A-Basin President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Henceroth said he’s learned to never underestimate people’s desire to get their skis or boards on snow, even if it means getting a spot in line the day beforehand. He said it takes a year-round, group effort to be one of the first ski areas in the area to open and credits the snowmakers and groomers with helping push them through to the finish line. 

Marketing communications manager Shayna Silverman said she’s excited for what’s new this season. 

“The big one is the full Ikon Pass access this year,” she said. “With that, I think we have a really exciting opportunity to introduce ourselves to people who have only skied here once or twice or a handful of times a season, and then we also get to reinforce who we are in our community.” 

The change comes during the resort’s second season with Alterra, the first of which brought no changes to the Ikon Pass access.

The resort recently announced an additional change to the pass special this season. Ikon Base Pass holders, who typically would get five days at Arapahoe Basin, get unlimited access up until Dec. 19. The five days on the pass will officially start Dec. 20. 

The resort instituted new parking reservations last year and will continue to require its “Reserve ‘N Ski” reservations this year for weekend parking on all lots. The resort requires reservations from Jan. 3 through May 3 and reservations go live Oct. 30 and can be found at ParkABasin.com/parkingbasics. General parking reservations cost $20 in all lots except for the Beach lot, which rates vary for, and the Admin Lot, which costs $40. There will be free carpool parking in the Easy Riser, High Noon, Last Chance and Upper Last Chance Lots for vehicles carrying four or more passengers. 

Arapahoe Basin’s closing day will be determined in spring. The resort is open Monday through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays and select holidays from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

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