News, Winter - March 29, 2022

Arapahoe Basin Throws Big Birthday Ski Bash to Celebrate 75 Years

Arapahoe Basin’s 75th birthday party should be a banger. The weekend-long festivities help kick off the month of April at the locally celebrated resort.

A-Basin staff prepare to prove that even though their resort is 75 years old, it can still host a hell of a party.

Costume contests, birthday cake, prizes and, of course, free beer will rock the downhome resort all weekend from April 1 to 3. Get out your dayglo and pack your cooler — we’d suggest, among other consumables, water.

Here’s what to look for throughout the raucous weekend.

When: Friday, April 1, to Sunday, April 3
Where: Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Friday, April 1

1946-Themed Dinner

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: 6th Alley Bar and Grill
Admission: $75 + Tax and Gratuity

Make a reservation for a unique evening at the 6th Alley Bar & Grill in Mountain Goat Plaza, the A-Basin base area. Show your zeal to celebrate the resort’s founding year by getting dolled up in your 1946-inspired finery. (For the record, that’s as close as GearJunkie will ever come to telling you to wear a fedora.)

Make a reservation and check out more details here.

Saturday, April 2

Bump and Bash

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Lower International and The Beach
Price: $25

A-Basin turns back the clock to the 1970s, mogul style!

Pack your long skis, jeans, and dayglo, and come prepared for some bumpin’ at The Basin. Prizes will be awarded for best jump, best costume, and “whatever else we think of,” the resort says.

All participants — presumably whether jean-skiing, dayglo-ing, or not — will receive an anniversary T-shirt that won’t be available for purchase.

Party in the Park

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Black Mountain Lodge Park
Price: FREE

If you’re not quite sold on ’70s throwbacks, or simply have no dayglo, A-Basin invites you to hang out and show off in the park with music, prizes, and “fun features.”

Park riders and skiers will get chances to win prizes ranging from beanies, socks, and gift cards, to snowboards and a pair of skis. The A-Basin Park Crew will reward park partygoers based on creativity, effort, and skill.

A-Basin emphasizes that the focus of the event is fun, and welcomes anyone at any skill level to join.

Plaza Après Party

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Mountain Goat Plaza
Price: FREE

A-Basin says, “Join us for live music, beer, costume contests, and birthday cake, of course!”

Local surf jam band Beloved Invaders will bring the (chill) noise. If the beer’s free, expect to see every Colorado-based GearJunkie employee there.

Uphill and Chill

Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Base Area to Black Mountain Lodge
Price: $30 to register. Includes a beer, a pretzel, and an exclusive 75th-anniversary T-shirt that will not be available for purchase.

Ski uphill into the setting sun at Uphill and Chill — and choose your own difficulty. The two courses include a shorter trek and a “challenge” for those who want to suffer.

Everyone will finish at Black Mountain Lodge for beer, pretzels, and prizes. Costumes encouraged.

Sunday, April 3

East Wall Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunt: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Steilhang celebration: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Price: $25 to participate. Includes an exclusive 75th-anniversary T-shirt that will not be available for purchase

Search for hidden prizes on A-Basin’s gnarly East Wall (experts only). Afterward, unwind with a party and live music at Black Mountain Lodge. Stay posted — scavenger hunt details could change based on the weather.

Plaza Après Party

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Mountain Goat Plaza
Price: Free to attend

Plaza Après Party part deux. If you made it through the first one and you’re still here, you might as well saddle up for another ride! Fill up on more beer, music, and cake before you have to go back to work tomorrow.

Tasty funk by New Family Dog.