'Local favorite' Colorado ski area to sell limited number of $150 parking passes next season

On Thursday, Colorado's Arapahoe Basin Ski Area announced big changes related to their parking situation set to start during the 2024 to 2025 ski season and it's been met with a mixed response.

Keep in mind – Arapahoe Basin is set to be sold to Alterra Mountain Company, known for their Ikon Pass, before the end of 2024.

As stated in their announcement, the ski area will be implementing an online parking reservation system for a portion of the 2024 to 2025 season, with a required parking reservation available for $20 per vehicle. A limited number of season parking passes will also be available for $150, with these passholders still needing to book a daily reservation on days when it's required. It's also worth noting that while carpooling vehicles containing four or more people are still required to have a reservation, the reservation is set to be free.

Reservations will be required on weekends, holidays, and other peak days until 1 p.m. from mid-December through early May.

The goal of the parking reservation system is to limit the number of vehicles at the ski area in hopes of reducing congestion in parking lots and along Highway 6.

As might be expected, the response to the announcement of the new system has been met with a mixed response.

"There is no doubt that requiring reservations will take away some of the spontaneity of skiing," read an announcement from resort COO Alan Henceroth. "That spontaneity, however, can be a major contributor to parking problems, especially on powder days. Some told me they would be in favor of reservations knowing that when they got to The Basin, they would have a parking spot. They thought reservations would reduce stress and eliminate the frantic rush to get here."

The resort stressed that the ultimate goal of the parking reservation system is to maintain the quality of the Arapahoe Basin ski experience.

The announcement got plenty of attention on Facebook, with 125 likes, 97 'frown faces,' and 75 'sad faces' in response about 24 hours after the post was made. The post also got more than 400 comments.

Here's a look at what the public has been saying on the social media platform:

• "This is not the way. Parking should and always has been rewarded to those that arrive first, breakfast in the lot and all of the culture that comes with it. We hope you rethink this." – Ryan C.
• "It’s a way to keep locals from riding up before work on Saturdays and Sundays. That would add up to a lot of money if we could only ride Saturday and Sunday for a couple hours before work." – Sean O.
• "I have been skiing Arapahoe Basin Ski Area since I was two years old, 38 seasons now. It was the last place I skied with my dad the day before he passed and it is where I married my beautiful wife. I have enjoyed countless moments with friends family, it's so depressing to see it all going down the toilet with more expensive passes that provide less and less value. And now $20 for parking! Alan Henceroth's legacy will be the DEATH of The Legend!" – Joe H.
• "Everyone needs to relax. Parking at the basin on a weekend is god awful. Plan ahead and take the Summit Stage if you want to ride on a weekend, or ride Mon - Fri like everyone else." – Jon M.
• "Having skied here for over 60 years, it remains legendary. Thanks for your efforts at preserving the soul of skiing. Summit Stage needs to step up (Alterra you listening?) and expand direct service from Frisco Silverthorne bus stations to Abasin." – Ray B.
• "This definitely impacts my decision of whether to renew my pass or not. Because of work, my wife and I are forced to ski on weekends. I was fine with the carpool/pay lower lot, but to have to pay an extra $20 every day I ski makes the A-Basin pass more cost prohibitive." – Bryan H.
• "So glad to hear this. Thanks for always finding the right balance with these kinds of things to improve the experience and keep A Basin authentic." – Rob N.
• "Been using Summit Stage buses from Fairplay to ABasin the last couple of years. It's been great!" – Christy D.
• "This sounds like I won’t be riding Arapahoe basin anymore. It’s been my favorite mountain the last 10 years. The changes y’all have been implementing are crushing the vibe yall took so hard to build. RIP to A basin as it sits." – Sam M.
• "Season pass holder. We leave Denver at 5 am. We always get front row parking. What parking problem?!? True dedication to getting the day you want and you will get it. Now you will just let anyone have it by paying for it. Money always wins I guess: So lame. Such a slap in the face. This is a BAD choice." – Glenn M.

Read more comments on Facebook here.

Also included in the same announcement was an update related to season passes for next season amid the expected sale to Alterra. Arapahoe Basin season passes are officially on sale but until the Alterra sale closes, what Arapahoe Basin's presence on the Ikon Pass will look like seems to be a bit up in the air. Last year, Ikon Pass holders got up to seven days at Arapahoe Basin. That may change in upcoming months.

Do you think this is a good move for Arapahoe Basin? Let us know in the comments.