Summit County Citizens Voice

Summit County’s gem looks to add some tasty tree skiing in The Beavers

A new Beavers lift would add some intermediate terrain as well as some steep tree skiing similar to some of the existing terrain in The Alleys.

A-Basin powder!

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — As excited as I was to hear A-Basin chief Alan Henceroth talk about a master plan update for my favorite ski area, I wasn’t able to make it in person, but thanks to social media, especially Twitter, I almost felt like I was there, catching the buzz.

There will be questions down the road, for sure, but right now it’s time to just be stoked for an upcoming season filled with powder and fresh tracks, as well as a vision that would help the ski area boost summer business and expand winter opportunities — an essential step toward long-term economic sustainability. Here’s how the open house went down on Twitter:

If you can't make it to the Master Development Plan Open House, we'll be live tweeting it with the hashtag #MDP12.—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 29, 2012

We're looking for feedback on the master plan before we ask for USFS environmental approval. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 29, 2012

Alan: This is a process, and we're moving along. It's going to take some time. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 29, 2012

Still left to do: replacing/refurbing Pali anf Molly Hogan lifts. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 29, 2012

First proposed improvement: zip line tour. Year-round activity, course not solid yet. "Eco tour" feel. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 29, 2012

Next proposed improvement: surface lift from Lenawee to Montezuma. Was part of the original Zuma plan. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Third proposed improvement: increasing reservoir storage for snow making. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Annnd what you've all been waiting for: #TheBeavers. It's within our USFS usage boundary, but not our resort boundary. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

@Spotis Anything we build lifts on with this plan is considered within the resort boundary and will be maintained as so. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Alan: Max Dercum had talked about #TheBeavers decades ago. Adding this area isn't a new idea. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Alan: We want to broaden our focus to include blue skiers, not just the experts. We want to lift service varied terrain. #TheBeavers #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Most of the snow sits in the bowl up top. We don't want to build lifts skill the way to the bottom. #TheBeavers #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Proposed lift goes from bottom of bowl to Snow Plume Refuge. Steep gullies will still be hike-to terrain. #MDP12 #TheBeavers—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Any traverses will be about 30 ft wide to accommodate a CAT our snowmobiles for patrol/emergencies. #TheBeavers #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Planning two groomed blue trails in #TheBeavers with the rest being advanced/expert terrain. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Alan: minimal tree thinning, take some dead wood out, make #TheBeavers excellent tree skiing. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Will glade the black trail that would give access to Steep Gullies. Well also add backcountry access points to the west. #MDP12 #TheBeavers—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Proposing to remove Norway lift entirely. Rarely runs at full capacity. #TheBeavers well help spread out traffic. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

When we ask what we can do better, most people respond: be bigger and have faster lifts. We want to be able to do both. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

And, we really want to improve the experience of the blue skier. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Alan: about 70% of our skiers consider themselves "advanced to expert." We want to give them more options. #MDP12 #TheBeavers—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

What we're proposing is not a huge change from what this actually is. Lots odd people already use our lifts to get to #TheBeavers. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Alan: it's time to make #TheBeavers part of the ski area, and to formally introduce avalanche mitigation into the area. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

We're constantly changing and evolving. People thought Pali was going to ruin A-Basin at 1st! We're excited, and think this is all good.—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Floor now open to questions. Alan talking abt the time line. No specific date, but it's a few years out. #MDP12—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Thank you to everyone who came tonight and everyone who followed #MDP12! We'll try to answer any questions tonight or tmrw.—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

@bberwyn LOVE. #foreverwinter—
Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin) August 30, 2012

Filed under: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, recreation, Ski Resorts, skiing and riding, Summit County Colorado Tagged: | A-Basin expansion, A-Basin master plan, Arapahoe Basin, skiing, social media, The Beavers, Twitter