ARAPAHOE BASIN — They are skipping school, calling in sick and heading to Colorado from all over the country, because powder days — especially in May — are just too good to miss.
“It feels like March 20th, not May 20th,” said Stu Caren, who lives in Silverthorne and has skied about 90 days this season. He was on a lift headed for Arapahoe Basin’s summit Wednesday. “It’s so good.”
At an elevation of 10,780 feet, along a tributary of the Snake River, it feels like Mother Nature doesn’t know summer is pawing at her door. In the last month alone, more than 44 inches of snow have blanketed ski area trails — and cool temperatures ensure the snow doesn’t quickly disappear.
Arapahoe Basin is the only ski area still open in Colorado, in part because its high elevation prevents snow on the slopes from melting off. That advantage means a monopoly on anyone wanting late season turns, as was clear Wednesday by the line of skiers and snowboarders waiting at 8:30 a.m for lifts to start turning.
“I had a late season itch,” said Chaang Suwan, who drove about eight hours from Park City, Utah, to Arapahoe Basin last weekend in a trip planned just two days prior. “I was like, ‘I’m not done.’ “
Suwan said his stay was supposed to end earlier, but conditions have been so good that he called his boss and took off longer.
“They should put a warning on this white stuff,” he said during a brief pause from maneuvering through the choppy, fresh snow. “It’s addictive.”
More snow has fallen already this month at Arapahoe Basin than did during January or March, extending a Colorado ski season that saw inconsistent moisture and worried operators about revenue. Storms brought so much snow on Mother’s Day, May 10, the ski area recorded its highest number of single-day visitors ever.
While A-Basin declined to say exactly how many skiers and riders were there, executives said it was 15 percent more than on the previous record day of April 24, 2010.
The late season dumps have helped not only recreational skiers, but also are letting Olympic hopefuls — including a delegation from China — train in better conditions in cordoned-off mogul courses.
“It’s imperative,” Bobby Aldighieri, who coaches skiers out of Steamboat Springs, said Wednesday as he oversaw training. “Anyone who is going to be in the games and win medals — it’s just part of the schedule.”
While May snow isn’t unusual for Arapahoe Basin, which typically gets about 30 inches during the month, locals say the timing and quality has stood out over other memorable years. A meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boulder estimated this week that the ski area could see between 250 to 300 percent more than its average snowfall for the month before all is said and done.
Forecasters are calling for more precipitation into next week.
“Late season snowfall is always good for us,” said Alan Henceroth, the area’s chief operating officer. “You should never underestimate how much people like to ski and snowboard.”
Right now, Arapahoe Basin has posted tentative closing date of June 7, but Henceroth says that isn’t set in stone: “Things are looking favorable.”
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul
