Colorado Ski Area Opens "Most Challenging" Terrain for First Time This Season

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Jan 24, 2025 3:46 PM ET

One of Summit County's favorite resorts has just opened some it's most epic terrain.

Arapahoe Basin announced on January 24, 2025 that Steep Gullies 1, 2, and 4 are now open for the season. The Gullies are some of A-Basin's most iconic runs and definitely amongst the most challenging. The Gullies are a series of rocky, expert-only chutes with 35-45 degree slope angles. In other words, super freaking steep. The Gullies also require a 20-30 minute hike back to the resort's base area which means once you're in it, you're in it for the long haul.

The challenging runs were previously backcountry terrain that laid outside the area's boundaries. Including them within the boundary allows ski patrol to perform avalanche mitigation, and actively patrols the area. Through a series of suspended cables with timed explosives attached, Arapahoe Basin ski patrol uses their 'Bomb Tram' to remotely trigger avalanches in The Steep Gullies.

While only Gullies 1, 2, & 4 are open currently, the ski area expects to open the rest of the Gullies in the following days. With the Steep Gullies open, the East Wall is A-Basin's last bit of expert terrain yet to be opened this year. Hopes are high for an end of February or early March opening, but the rocky chutes require large amounts of snow and subsequent avalanche mitigation to be opened safely.

A-Basin currently has a base depth of 45" and has received 127" so far this season, putting it at 110% of normal snowpack. The resort has 1,428 skiable acres and 2,530ft of vertical drop. It's know for having one of the longest seasons in the US due to its high elevation (the summit reaches 13,050ft) and having 55% north facing terrain.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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