Alterra to Acquire A-Basin

[Amie H]

A lot of feelings expressed on Unofficial Networks' Instagram page the other day about paid reserved parking at A-Basin announced for '24-'25.
Here is the IG with comments:

Unofficial Networks on Instagram: "ARAPAHOE BASIN, Colorado - Parking reservations will be required on weekends, holidays and other peak days at Arapahoe Basin next season. The reservations will cost guests $20 per vehicle, and a $150 season pass wil

758 likes, 185 comments - unofficialnetworks on March 23, 2024: "ARAPAHOE BASIN, Colorado - Parking reservations will be required on weekends, holidays and other peak days at Arapahoe Basin next season...."

www.instagram.com

The full article is here: https://unofficialnetworks.com/2024/03/21/arapahoe-basin-parking-reservations/

 

[Christy]

What was the deal with parking this year? Were people arriving only to find lots full?

 

[Amie H]

I haven't been there since 2018, but on that Saturday in early May (!) I barely got a spot in a remote lot, and needed to have two folks help me ease a rental Ford F-150 into a sliver of a space.

Here's more information/opinion published in the past week citing traffic and parking issues:

Let Us Debate the Latest Controversy over Ski Resort Parking

Beloved for its renegade reputation, Colorado ski area Arapahoe Basin will charge skiers to park next season. Two A-Basin fans debate the decision—and discuss why paid parking represents a dividing line between mega resorts and local ski hills.

www.outsideonline.com

 

[RachelV]

What was the deal with parking this year? Were people arriving only to find lots full?

NO. Parking has been fine. They've done an amazing job managing capacity. I ski weekend-centric days at A-Basin all season and this has really not been a problem. This seems like they want to get ahead of parking in anticipation of more skiers in the future but who knows.

Anyways, this news is bumming me out. Not sure what it means but seems unlikely to be good.

 

[Amie H]

@RachelV Do you think they are anticipating higher skier volume, or, might this be an Alterra push for a new revenue stream? (The cynic in me says the latter.)

Or, third option, Dept of Transportation encouraging this?

 

[marzNC]

might this be an Alterra push for a new revenue stream? (The cynic in me says the latter.)

For what it's worth, Solitude (owned by Alterra) moved to all paid parking several years ago. Solitude has limited parking, and has the UTA bus as an alternative. Around SLC, Brighton (owned by Boyne Resorts), Snowbird (owned by Powdr), and Alta (independent) also have had variations on pay parking in recent years.

Or, third option, Dept of Transportation encouraging this?

I've never had the sense the CO DOT would get involved with the idea of a private ski resort moving to pay parking. There was some government push related to parking at Eldora, but pretty sure it was by the county, not a state agency.

 

[Amie H]

@marzNC interesting about Solitude.

I also doubted it was a DOT issue but the opinion piece in Outside online I posted made me wonder.

Also interesting to me that Outside did an opinion piece when the news broke.