Arapahoe Basin snow report
Arapahoe Basin
Arapahoe Basin ski resort in Colorado, United States offers a range of terrain suitable for all skill levels, with some of the best expert-level skiing in the state. The resort's East Wall is a particular highlight, boasting challenging runs with steep chutes and tree runs. A lesser-known fact about the resort is that it was one of the first ski areas in the US to allow snowboarding in 1984. For beginners, the Molly Hogan run is a gentle slope perfect for getting comfortable on skis. After a long day on the slopes, the 6th Alley Bar & Grill is a popular apres ski spot, serving up hearty meals and drinks.
Terrain mix: Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort is located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The resort is situated in the Arapaho National Forest and is known for its high alpine terrain and challenging skiing and snowboarding.
Some of the pertinent mountain ranges and mountain aspects of Arapahoe Basin include:
1. The Continental Divide: Arapahoe Basin is located on the eastern side of the Continental Divide, which runs through the Rocky Mountains and separates the watersheds that flow to the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.
2. The Tenmile Range: The resort is surrounded by the stunning Tenmile Range, which includes peaks such as Lenawee Mountain, The Spine, and The Steeple. These mountains provide a picturesque backdrop for skiing and snowboarding at Arapahoe Basin.
3. High Alpine Terrain: Arapahoe Basin is known for its high alpine terrain, with a base elevation of 10,780 feet and a summit elevation of 13,050 feet. This elevation provides for long runs and challenging terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
4. The East Wall: One of the most famous aspects of Arapahoe Basin is the East Wall, which offers some of the most challenging and extreme terrain in Colorado. The East Wall is only accessible by a hike or snowcat ride and provides steep chutes, cliffs, and deep powder for expert skiers and snowboarders.
Overall, Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort offers a unique and challenging skiing experience in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, with a variety of terrain and stunning mountain vistas to enjoy.
Plan your day down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the snow column the morning of a storm to know when to call in sick.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & snow
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- start of next storm cycle, end of last one.
Nearby SNOTEL stations
USDA NRCS SNOTEL stations within driving range. Cross-check whether the snow at Arapahoe Basin is a one-off accumulation or a regional storm cycle.
| Station | Snowpack | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Willow Creek Pass | 8 in | → |
| Rawah | 2 in | → |
| Nohrsc Lake Irene | 9 in | → |
| Cinnabar Park | 18 in | → |
| Berthoud Summit | 7 in | → |
| Willow Creek Pass | 9 in | → |
| Red Feather 5.9 Ne, Co | 6 in | → |
| Nohrsc Fool Creek | 6 in | → |
| Elliot Ridge Snotel | 1 in | → |
| Tabernash 2.7 Nw, Co | 1 in | → |
| Nohrsc Wild Basin | 5 in | → |
| Copeland Lake | 8 in | → |
Beyond the slopes
Other ski areas, basecamp options, alpine fishing, and scenic stops near Arapahoe Basin -- worth knowing whether you're in for a day, a long weekend, or a season pass.
Mountain & avalanche safety
- Know before you go
- Check today's avalanche bulletin from the regional avalanche center before any off-piste / side-country / backcountry travel. Conditions can shift dramatically between morning and afternoon on storm days.
- Carry the gear, know how to use it
- Beacon, shovel, probe. Practice companion rescue on a calm day, not during a real burial.
- Mind the weather window
- Heavy snow + wind builds wind slabs at ridgelines. The day after a storm is often the riskiest in the backcountry, even if the resort itself is open.
- Respect closed terrain
- Ropes are there for a reason. Even in-bounds, ducking a closure can trigger a slide that catches you and others below.
Track Arapahoe Basin in the Snoflo app
Save this resort as a favorite, set push alerts when snowfall crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Arapahoe Basin reports 6″ new"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment the SNOTEL station crosses.
About Arapahoe Basin
Where does the snow data for Arapahoe Basin come from?
Snowpack, SWE, 24-hour snowfall, and air temperature come from the nearest USDA NRCS SNOTEL station. Forecast comes from the National Weather Service / yr.no feed that Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the snow report updated?
Snowpack and SNOTEL data are updated continuously by NRCS (typically hourly). The 15-day weather forecast is refreshed throughout the day. Snoflo caches and renders the most recent observation -- look for the "as of" timestamp on the snowpack hero.
What's the elevation at Arapahoe Basin?
See the Resort Metrics panel above for base / summit / vertical drop. The summit elevation drives snowpack accumulation -- higher summits hold snow longer through spring.
How is "% of normal" calculated?
Today's snowpack is compared to the average snowpack on this calendar day across every recorded year at the nearest SNOTEL. 100% means right on average; 130% is a big year; 60% is thin.
What ski resorts are near Arapahoe Basin?
See the Other Ski Areas pill grid at the bottom of the page for resorts within driving distance. The sister Other Ski Areas card in the Plan-a-longer-trip grid above shows the closest few.
Can I get alerts when fresh snow hits?
Yes -- snow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this resort, set a snowfall threshold (e.g. "alert me when 6+ inches"), and you'll get a push the moment the SNOTEL crosses.
Other resorts near here
Snoflo-tracked ski areas within driving distance of Arapahoe Basin.