* WHAT...For the High Wind Warning, west winds 30 to 50 mph with gusts up to 90 mph expected, with the strongest winds focused over wind-prone locations in the foothills. For the High Wind Watch, west winds up to 50 mph, with gusts up to 90 mph possible. * WHERE...Rocky Mountain National Park and the Medicine Bow Range, the Mountains of Summit County, the Mosquito Range, the Indian Peaks, and the foothills. * WHEN...For the High Wind Warning, until 5 AM MST Thursday. For the High Wind Watch, from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines, with power outages possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Strong winds may lead to rapid fire growth of any new fire in the lower foothills.
Arapahoe Basin is firing up the stoke this December 17, 2025, with soft corduroy underfoot and fresh flakes in the forecast. 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
Overnight temps hovered around 24°F, keeping conditions crisp. While the current snowpack sits at 16 inches—about 44% below average—the mountain remains very much alive with winter energy. A welcomed snow refresh is expected, with nearly 2 inches set to fall in the next 24 hours and a total of 2 inches anticipated over the next five days. The Snow Water Equivalent stands at 4.1, offering a solid base for early-season turns.
Despite the leaner base, riders have reason to celebrate. The East Wall, A-Basin’s legendary expert terrain, opened a full month earlier than last season, signaling solid coverage in the high alpine. Meanwhile, the resort stays buzzworthy with unique events like this weekend’s “Slush N’ Spokes” race, blending bikes and snow in true Basin fashion. Looking ahead, May’s “Gay Basin” weekend celebration and other spring happenings promise a strong finish to the season. Whether you’re here for the steep lines or the signature A-Basin vibe, winter is unfolding with style—don’t miss your window to carve it up.
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, snow showers, mainly after 11am. the snow could be heavy at times. patchy blowing snow after 11am. high near 30. windy, with a west wind 18 to 23 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. winds could gust as high as 50 mph. chance of precipitation is 80%. total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Arapahoe Basin is expected to receive up to 2.83" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Northern Colorado is seeing the strongest snow activity this week. The Bear Lake and Copeland Lake areas near Rocky Mountain National Park are forecasted to receive 8–9 inches of fresh snow over the next five days. Located near Estes Park and close to Eldora Mountain Resort, these conditions suggest excellent skiing potential. Further north, the Tower SNOTEL site near Steamboat ... Read more