Arapahoe Basin’s new paid parking requirement is still a month out, but officials there concede there has been some criticism among ski area loyalists.
“We’re getting mixed reviews,” said spokeswoman Shayna Silverman. “Anytime there is change at the resort, we’re faced with criticism. Some folks are excited to be assured they’ll have a spot and not feel rushed. Others are still trying to understand why we’re making this change.
“But we believe that starting Dec. 21, they will just have to come and see the new arrival experience on these 48 peak days to judge for themselves,” she added.
Because of the limited capacity of its lots, and to eliminate the possibility of people arriving when lots are full (or parking illegally), A-Basin decided earlier this year to require parking reservations on weekends and holidays from Dec. 21-May 4, 2025. To encourage carpooling, there will be no fee for vehicles with four or more occupants, although a reservation will be required. For other vehicles, the reservation fee is $20.
On days when the reservation requirement is in effect, parking will be free after 1 p.m. It also will remain free on weekdays. Reservations are currently on sale via the A-Basin website. The site also has an FAQ page.
For those who worry about parking reservations selling out before they can make them, Silverman said none of the days when reservations will be required have sold out yet. And, some reservations will be set aside to go on sale the week of the visit.
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“Reservations are selling as expected,” Silverman said. “They are not selling out, but our skiers and riders are purchasing them as they begin to make their winter plans. We have no doubt that a vast majority of skiers and riders will have no problem making their weekend plans this winter.”
Because A-Basin is situated at the foot of Loveland Pass in a narrow canyon, the capacity of its parking lots is only 1,750. “Our mountain has a whole lot more capacity than our parking lots,” chief operating officer Alan Henceroth said when the parking plan was announced in March.
For those who miss out on reservations or who don’t want to drive, the Snowstang bus service from Denver, inaugurated by CDOT five years ago, will be back again beginning Dec. 14 with $25 roundtrip fares for adults. Another option is free public transportation within Summit County via the Summit Stage bus network. The bus to take is the Swan Mountain Flyer, which operates hourly from Breckenridge to Arapahoe Basin via Frisco, Silverthorne and Keystone. Riders can track buses online or via a mobile app.