After Tough Season, Arapahoe Basin Confirms Closing Day
After a historically warm and often snowless season in Colorado, Arapahoe Basin is closing far earlier than usual.
The ski resort, which is known for offering one of the longest seasons in the state and the country, will shut down its lifts for skiing and snowboarding on May 3, 2026. The ski area closed on June 15 last season.
"With a waning snowpack, Mother Nature has deemed it our time," the resort wrote in a message on social media.
Despite Colorado's barren snowpack, Arapahoe Basin upheld its reputation for squeezing out every ounce it could. According to the resort, it spun its lifts for 194 days, longer than any other mountain in Colorado.
Arapahoe Basin is known for averaging about 300 inches of snow per year. While the resort isn't reporting a season-to-date snowfall, some estimates place the season's total under 160 inches.
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At the same time, the May 3 closing date serves as a bellwether, showing just how tough this season has been for Colorado's resorts. In 2025, Arapahoe Basin, as is typical, lasted until June. If a place like that can't push ahead, you know it's bad out there.
The impacts go beyond ski season duration. While Arapahoe Basin is owned by Alterra, which doesn't regularly share specific skier visit data, its competitor, Vail Resorts, just reported that visitation in the Rockies region plummeted 25%.
Vail's CEO, Rob Katz, noted in a release that this season has "been one of the most challenging winters in history across the western U.S.," with tough weather that impacted visitation and spending for the resorts he oversees.
Still, Arapahoe Basin is looking to send off the grueling 2025-26 season on a positive note.
"May at A-Basin is often known for plenty of officially unofficial days on the hill," it said, like swimwear day, Derby Day, May the 4th (Star Wars Day), and Denim/Jorts Day.
Since the resort will be closed for most of May, Arapahoe Basin is now hosting one big party for closing weekend. Skiers are encouraged to throw on whatever costume aligns with their favorite Arapahoe Basin May celebration.
"We're serving up one large closing day with the works," the resort said.
And starting on April 27, tickets will only be $39 through closing day. If you haven't broken out your banana costume yet this season, now's your chance.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 12:47 PM.