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Arapahoe Basin reopens to skiers this week. Here's what you need to know.

May 24, 2020
3 min read
arapahoe basin colorado_photo via shutterstock
Arapahoe Basin reopens to skiers this week. Here's what you need to know.
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Skiers, rejoice: The 2020 ski season isn't entirely canceled yet.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAlK-DnHlV-/

Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) in Colorado announced it will reopen this week, beginning Wednesday, May 27. The resort will be operating under limited capacity and conditions.

Here's what you need to know:

  • No reservation, no access: A limited number of skiers are admitted each day, and you will not be permitted without a pre-booked reservation with a valid pass, or a pre-purchased day ticket. Reservations can be made online only, beginning at 7 p.m. 36 hours before the intended ski day, distributed on a first come, first served basis.
  • Printed reservations and passes must be shown upon arrival; only people with a reservation will be allowed on the property.
  • Reservations are contingent on agreeing to Arapahoe Basin’s COVID-19 policies and expectations, with absolutely no refunds or rain checks given.
  • Tailgating is strictly prohibited.
  • Staff will strictly enforce all state, county and company mandates without exception.
  • Face coverings are required any time you cannot maintain six feet of social distance outdoors and in designated areas.
  • Arapahoe Basin reserves the right to banish any patron who doesn't adhere to all of the guidelines laid out by the resort, in conjunction with state and county health authorities.
  • Please stay home if you are sick or are considered high risk.
  • Arapahoe Basin is not a beginner-friendly experience. Experienced skiers and riders should expect spring conditions.
  • Please only book if you intend to come. Reservations are limited; do not take a space from someone else if you won’t be skiing or riding.

Perhaps just as important, pass holder reservations are free for skiers with any of the following:

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  • Arapahoe Basin 2019-20 pass (including full-season, Double-Down, military, senior, youth, child, midweek, and multiday passes such as Elevation and Any-Day)
  • 2019-20 Ikon, Ikon Base and Mountain Collective Passes with remaining A-Basin days
  • Unredeemed A-Basin exchange days on either the 2019-20 Taos Ski Valley or Monarch Mountain passes

This is good news for Ikon passholders. Ikon was the initial leader in ski pass credit announcements, with an introductory price extension sale to May 27. Current season passholders get a discount, up to $200, on next season’s pass purchases (double the normal renewal discount). Ikon also stated you’ll be able to put the value of a purchased (but unused) 2020 to 2021 season pass into the purchase of a 2021 to 2022 pass with no added fees. To defer the value, you’ll need to make that decision by Dec. 10, 2020.

In mid-March, several Colorado ski towns were already unwitting coronavirus hot spots. Shortly thereafter, an abrupt shutdown meant many people with annual ski passes lost out on a significant amount of spring skiing.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.