A Basin?

[Cindy Kleh]

I checked out the Basin on Friday and the snow is exceptional top to bottom. Any Basin BBQ's or carve-days planned?

[Algunderfoot]

Hi Cindi,
I'm looking at at an opp to hit the Basin the weekend of 5/24, any word on how long they plan to remain open this year?

[Seraph]

Early June I think.

[Angie]

I've heard closing date is currently June 6; however, that was before the big snow last weekend. So it could be later.

Cindy, I'll be there May 2 (and tomorrow I think too) for a BBQ my office is doing. There are only like 10 of us, so more the merrier! I think the "Ace in CO 5/1-5/3" Thread on the CO board has info on when people are going too.

[Cindy Kleh]

I'll be in Moab this weekend. Maybe the next week. It should be open until June. Montezuma Bowl is in great shape! And they should pick up some new snow this week.
On the 23-24th of May: 8th Annual Festival of the Brewpubs & Shakin at the Basin May Concert Series.
I hadn't been to the Basin in a year and I was impressed with the improvements. There's even a tunnel under the highway for pedestrians.

[Fastskiguy]

What is the deal with this place in the spring? They close almost 2 months after the big places....is it up and running with lifts and grooming or is it more a skin up with your AT or tele stuff kind of thing? Do people plan trips in April or May? Seems like an easy way to stretch the season by MONTHS!

[Angie]

Completely open (100% right now) with fully operating lifts...you can hike if you want, but I'll take the free ride!

The other mountains still have snow on them, 60+ inch bases even (Beaver Creek closed 2 weeks ago with a 100 inch base), but their agreements with the forest service and the natural migration of skiers after Easter causes them to close mid April. A Basin will stay open until there is no snow left

[Cindy Kleh]

The Basin rocks! It's for real. No high-speed quads or gondolas. An old fashioned resort that just keeps getting better. Season pass deals are unbelievable!

[bjvircks]

OK... now I'm really curious. How easy is it to get to A-basin from Denver? I can get a low mile Fequent Flier ticket to Denver and slum it from there. Are there shuttles or would I have to rent a car? I'm just not ready for the season to end. My biggest concern??? the fact that I'm a flatlander and A-basin has so much vert. Should I just stay home?

AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!

[Cindy Kleh]

It's pretty easy to get to A Basin from Denver, about 1.5 hours from the airport. There are shuttles from the airport and Keystone/Summit County has a good free bus system. But it is pretty high .. 12,600' at the top.

[bobdea]

but their agreements with the forest service and the natural migration of skiers after Easter causes them to close mid April. A Basin will stay open until there is no snow left

the forest service agreement myth is such BS and pervasive in all resort towns in CO that I have been to. it's baseless other than the actual date the ski area decides on, the forest service will let the ski areas operate as long as they want for the most part.

I've talked about this very thing with a executive from ASC, he was very firm that the areas make the call on how long they stay open, it's purely financial and that the reason you hear the lease thing come up is to diffuse anger from pissed off townies that have season passes. a classic case of passing the buck.

their leases do expire, whenever they negotiate them to.

[Fastskiguy]

Hmmm, I'll have to rethink my seasonal sports given this new information....thanks guys

[*Ace*]

I just got word from Thor that it has been snowing off and on up there too.

Nothing like some fresh flakes.

[Cindy Kleh]

I agree with Bobdea. The resorts decide when to close. Breck used to stay open well into late May. Keystone and Copper used to stay open much later too. This year, almost all of the resorts closed sooner than usual. So, ya, it's the almighty dollar that rules, not the snow conditions.

[LeeW]

Closing dates -- well, with Vail Resorts, it's always on the 3rd Sunday of April that will be closing date. FS or not, I have no idea. Haven't really got around to ask if its true or not.

Me, I personally can use a break from working on the snow and already am anxious to off-season at Vail.

Basin -- I'm interested to go on weekends but I'm still waiting on myt ruck on whether it's done being repaired.

Cindy -- hi. long time no see.

[shrederjen]

Will be out there this weekend and next weekend....

[inkaholic]

Some of the LCI will be out Saturday the 9th. Big Mario and I will be there. Hopefully D.T. will be able to make it after his travels friday night.

Ink

[Angie]

I'll see what I can do to join on Saturday...

[fin]

Up there yesterday and conditions are pretty damn good. Turns to goo by around 1-ish though. Stay up top and you are in good shape.

[inkaholic]

Fin, Thanks for the report. Can you make it out for some turns with us?

Ang, Hope to see you.

Ink

[Dave Winters]

I'm in!

[shrederjen]

Cindy, come out and play on Friday!!!!
Airline party at the Beach!
I will ride early and party late!!!

[Angie]

I'm for sure in. See you guys tomorrow morning!

[fin]

Yo Ink,

Sorry, Charlie don't surf on weekends. But I will be going out next mid-week and hanging with Sean (Donek) again and the Steamboat team.

Be ready for spring type conditions. You know the drill. Freaking hard as a rock at 9 am, gets good at 10-ish, then goo starting at 1-ish.

[inkaholic]

Yo Ink,

Sorry, Charlie don't surf on weekends. But I will be going out next mid-week and hanging with Sean (Donek) again and the Steamboat team.

Be ready for spring type conditions. You know the drill. Freaking hard as a rock at 9 am, gets good at 10-ish, then goo starting at 1-ish.

I may be out on Monday the 11th. What days are you folks riding?

Ink

[Donek]

I may be out on Monday the 11th. What days are you folks riding?

Ink

It looks like Wednesday again.