Arapahoe Basin Ski Area to start up its upgraded Lenawee Express lift on Friday, Dec. 16
More terrain is coming at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area just in time for the weekend. According to a news release from an A-Basin spokesperson, the ski area will begin operating its Lenawee Express lift shortly after 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 16.
The high-speed, six-person chairlift will be operated seven days a week, thereby opening access to several upper-mountain runs including Humbug, Dercum’s Gulch, Lenawee Face, Lenawee Parks, Powerline, Cornice Run and West Wall.
The lift’s previous nine-minute ride has been shortened to four minutes thanks to the upgrade. Guests can expect the loading and unloading process, and the terminal locations, to be similar to how they were before. Plus, the upgrade means the system will have to stop less frequently. However, the release explained that since the lift is almost entirely above tree line, Lenawee is still susceptible to brief pauses because of A-Basin’s high-Alpine winds.
The opening of the lift means that all of the ski area’s lifts will be in operation except for Zuma, which serves the south-facing back bowl.
The release also explains that Lenawee is critical infrastructure because it travels from mid-mountain to the summit of A-Basin’s lift-served terrain at 12,456 feet. It serves a significant portion of the ski area — including The East Wall, Montezuma Bowl, upper-mountain frontside intermediate runs and The Beavers.
It also provides quick access to A-Basin’s two, upper-mountain restaurants, Il Rifugio and Steilhang. Steilhang Hut, a German restaurant, will open for lunch on Saturday, Dec. 17, according to the release.
-
The new Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is pictured on Dec. 6, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
-
Crews work to assemble the new Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Dec. 3, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
-
The new Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area as shown on Dec. 3, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
-
-
Crews carry equipment for the new Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 26, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
-
A helicopter carries equipment for the new Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on August 16, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
-
Crews work on the new Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on July 18, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
-
Equipment is stationed at the Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 4, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
-
Crews work on upgrading the Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area as a helicopter looms in the distance on Sept. 24, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
-
A helicopter carries equipment for the new Lenawee Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on August 16, 2022. The ski area upgraded its lift to a high-speed, six-chair system.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
As a Summit Daily News reader, you make our work possible.
Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.