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April, 2025

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A-Basin on Ikon Pass - What does it mean?

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BK
Posts: 2353 - Karma: 1,124
This is probably most pertinent for anyone who lives in Colorado or visits here frequently....

What do you think this pass change means for you the skier?

As someone who had Epic pass for the first 11 years I lived here (2005 thru 2016), I had a pretty good notion of what to expect from A-Basin. Big lines early season, fun times and tough party spot parking finding but mostly mellow lines and good skiing on the days mid-season Keystone, Breck, Vail. But I believe that has changed lately. The last time I tried to go to A-Basin was in (I believe) 2016 for a Friday late May powder day a week after Loveland closed. I hit a backup at least 1 mile above the ski area soon to realize the entire parking lot was closed. As it was a very late season weekday, no bus was running from Keystone either. I was told by parking attendant to "come back after lunch". Its the first and only time I have driven back home to Denver without being able to get on a chairlift.

I have skied on Ikon last two years.

What do you think the lines, crowds, parking situation will be for A-Basin this year? Improved? Same? Worse?? Bonus points for any speculation or behind the scenes drama factoids on A-Basin leaving Vail pass for Ikon.
6 years ago
5 0
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7388 - Karma: 79,015
Same shit different pass. Those who traveled from elsewhere to ski the basin only skied it 5-7 days a season anyways. Those who frequented the basin on the epic pass will get 3/4packs or season passes.

The people who feel all self righteous and won't ski the basin because it isn't epic anymore are the minority I feel
6 years ago
5 1
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Potguy
Posts: 125 - Karma: 147
Hopefully it'll be a little less crowded than previous years since the Ikon base pass only gives you 5 days there.

Don't quote me on this but I think A Basin started beefing with Vail resorts when they were asked to delay their opening day until Keystone opens. Probably one of many reasons why they're off the Epic pass now.
6 years ago
4 0
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WeastcoastAlex
Posts: 161 - Karma: 639
BKThis is probably most pertinent for anyone who lives in Colorado or visits here frequently....

What do you think this pass change means for you the skier?

As someone who had Epic pass for the first 11 years I lived here (2005 thru 2016), I had a pretty good notion of what to expect from A-Basin. Big lines early season, fun times and tough party spot parking finding but mostly mellow lines and good skiing on the days mid-season Keystone, Breck, Vail. But I believe that has changed lately. The last time I tried to go to A-Basin was in (I believe) 2016 for a Friday late May powder day a week after Loveland closed. I hit a backup at least 1 mile above the ski area soon to realize the entire parking lot was closed. As it was a very late season weekday, no bus was running from Keystone either. I was told by parking attendant to "come back after lunch". Its the first and only time I have driven back home to Denver without being able to get on a chairlift.

I have skied on Ikon last two years.

What do you think the lines, crowds, parking situation will be for A-Basin this year? Improved? Same? Worse?? Bonus points for any speculation or behind the scenes drama factoids on A-Basin leaving Vail pass for Ikon.


How have u skied on the Ikon Pass for the last two years when the 18/19 season was their first season.
6 years ago
3 0
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,271
Powder days will be a shit show as per usual but other than that I think it will be less busy overall. I’m kind of excited tbh
6 years ago
2 0
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,705
Last year I had the Ikon and the Epic Base driving out of Boulder.

Basically Summit was a shitshow as usual. Keystone started charging for parking in Peru lot and after my executive spot started getting ticketed I basically stopped going there. Abay had some gnarly issues with cars/parking/traffic that I hadn't seen my first two years here (at least to that degree). They managed lines well on resort and the Beavers/Gullies helped spread out the traffic uphill.

I think we have like 5-7 days at Abay with the Ikon Base correct? I'll probably spend most of my time at Eldora/Copper and save a couple pow days for Abay then use the rest for partytime.
6 years ago
0 0
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3606 - Karma: 3,972
Busy just like all the summit co resorts. If anything maybe Copper will see less because all the Denver ski commuters will hit A basin first/instead.
6 years ago
1 0
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,759
BKThis is probably most pertinent for anyone who lives in Colorado or visits here frequently....

What do you think this pass change means for you the skier?

As someone who had Epic pass for the first 11 years I lived here (2005 thru 2016), I had a pretty good notion of what to expect from A-Basin. Big lines early season, fun times and tough party spot parking finding but mostly mellow lines and good skiing on the days mid-season Keystone, Breck, Vail. But I believe that has changed lately. The last time I tried to go to A-Basin was in (I believe) 2016 for a Friday late May powder day a week after Loveland closed. I hit a backup at least 1 mile above the ski area soon to realize the entire parking lot was closed. As it was a very late season weekday, no bus was running from Keystone either. I was told by parking attendant to "come back after lunch". Its the first and only time I have driven back home to Denver without being able to get on a chairlift.

I have skied on Ikon last two years.

What do you think the lines, crowds, parking situation will be for A-Basin this year? Improved? Same? Worse?? Bonus points for any speculation or behind the scenes drama factoids on A-Basin leaving Vail pass for Ikon.


It will pool skiers from other resorts towards a basin who have the icon pass will like the other guy said only for 5 to 7 days

whaen Alterra bought Snowshoe which is unlimited on the pass and basically only mountain within three hours of anywhere all it did was provide money and improvements for the resort it’s still empty except for on the weekends and holidays small store owners in that area say business has increased which they need wv doesn’t have the greatest economy

I’d imagine a different result for a well-established resort like a basin in a populated place like Colorado though I’ll be stopping by a basin for 2 to 3 days as I hit other resorts on my icon pass out west

I appreciate a lot when I can’t has done for me and my local resort for 1000 bucks I see their unlimited if you other places I’m limited in seven days at about 26 places that I’m willing to travel
6 years ago
0 0
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,753
I’m just so thankful that Loveland hasn’t partnered with A Basin.

i love A Basin, but until Loveland increases parking capacity, I just don’t want to have the same issues that A Basin had last year, and if Loveland and A Basin were partners, it’d increase skier traffic significantly. Last thing I want is people checking snow stakes at 6 am and then going to wherever got a bit more.

@BK do you ski Loveland?

If I was a Basin skier primarily, I’d be stoked. It’s got to be a bit less crowded.
6 years ago
0 0
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AnsonYoPants
Posts: 129 - Karma: 781
I was up there on saturday (second day it was open) and there were very few people there. didn't have to wait in line for more than 20 seconds maximum. i think that the basin will be much better in early/late season because its not unlimited days so CO skiers will save their days for good snow. I could also see people saving their days to use in the spring tho so we'll have to see. honestly might pull the trigger on an a-basin pass if its gonna be less crowded
6 years ago
6 0
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BK
Posts: 2353 - Karma: 1,124
AnsonYoPantsI was up there on saturday (second day it was open) and there were very few people there. didn't have to wait in line for more than 20 seconds maximum. i think that the basin will be much better in early/late season because its not unlimited days so CO skiers will save their days for good snow. I could also see people saving their days to use in the spring tho so we'll have to see. honestly might pull the trigger on an a-basin pass if its gonna be less crowded


NICE! Thanks for the report on this.
6 years ago
1 0
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