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May 12, 2008 9:46 pm US/Mountain
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Conditions At A-Basin Still Top Notch
ARAPAHOE BASIN, Colo. (CBS4) ―
Arapahoe Basin was the first ski area in all of North America to open this past ski season, and now it's the last to close in Colorado.
A-Basin's elevation and lingering snow always give it the advantage of being able to open early and stay open later.
"I go home to Michigan tomorrow," said a skier. "The snow is great for May and I can't complain."
The resort hasn't had this much snow since the winter of 1998. There are 25 inches in May so far with another foot expected with Monday night's storm. There was only 14 inches last May. More terrain is also available this spring because of the extra snow.
"It's awesome because in South Korea, we can't do this," a snowboarder said. "But here in Colorado, it's my first time in my life snowboarding in spring."
Diehards say they will keep coming as long as A-Basin stays open. The resort has made all the way until the Fourth of July until it had to close, but since the officials usually pick a closing date, it's been set at June 8 this year. The date was picked because of projected snow conditions and safety considerations. If the snow remains stable and safe, the closing date can be pushed back.
A new snowmaking system has allowed A-Basin to open about a month earlier in recent years. The early start is another reason why it won't try to stay open until the Fourth of July.
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