It’s a bluebird morning at Arapahoe Basin this December 22, 2025, with temperatures hovering just above freezing after a mild overnight low of 32.9°F. 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.
Wind
Humidity
Skiers and riders will find a snowpack depth of 17 inches—well below the seasonal average—but the Basin’s dedicated snowmaking efforts have kept key terrain open and skiable. While the base is thin, groomers are riding smooth thanks to recent maintenance and ideal conditions for machine work. Early risers will be rewarded with firm corduroy softening as the sun rises over the Continental Divide.
Despite the below-average snowpack (-44.6% compared to historical norms), there’s hope in the forecast: meteorologists are eyeing a potential storm system pushing into the Rockies over the weekend, which could bring fresh snow just in time for the holiday rush. Meanwhile, Arapahoe Basin continues to make headlines, recently unveiling its famed Lake Reveal—an iconic high-alpine feature that signals solid spring-like conditions, even in December. With upgraded beginner access and unlimited 2025-26 Ikon Pass availability, the Basin is proving once again why it's the soul of Summit County skiing. Keep an eye on the skies and those long-term forecasts—this season is just getting started.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Loveland Basin.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Arapahoe Basin.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Arapahoe Basin impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
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.
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.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 7 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 10500 per hour |
Base Elevation | 3286 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 900 Acres |
Established | 1946 |
Run Count | 105 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, sunny, with a high near 36. windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph.
Snow is set to pile up in southwest Colorado, where resorts near the San Juan Mountains are expecting the highest totals in the next five days. Wolf Creek Ski Area leads the state with a forecast of up to 15–20 inches through the weekend, supported by nearby sensor data from Wolf Creek Summit (15") and Scotch Creek (20"). Telluride is ... Read more