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

Skiers, rejoice: The 2020 ski season isn’t entirely canceled yet.

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:

• 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.

Featured photo by Shutterstock