The Beavers and The Steep Gullies are open for the 2019-20 season!
The Beavers & The Steep Gullies is Arapahoe Basin's newest terrain, added for the 2017-18 season, with 36 runs over 468 total acres for ability levels from intermediate to expert. Explore The Beavers for open-bowl skiing, blue groomed runs and powder-filled glades; or head to the challenging chutes of The Steep Gullies, A-Basin's most extreme hike-back terrain.
When you need a break our European bistro, il Rifiguio, is waiting to serve you a tasty lunch near the top of The Beavers lift. Il Rifugio will be open 7 days a week for the winter season beginning December 20, 2019.
Trail Map: The Beavers & The Steep Gullies
Located to the west of the original ski area boundary, the expansion added approximately 468 acres of skiable terrain to Arapahoe Basin, bringing the total acreage to 1,428. The new terrain accommodates a wide range of skiers, from intermediates to experts. Please know that Loafer and Davis--the two blue runs--are some of the hardest blues on the mountain. They are steep so be prepared!
The Beavers
Do you like steep, deep tree runs? The 339 acres of terrain in The Beavers varies from steep intermediate (blue square) groomed runs--Loafer and Davis-- to most-difficult and extreme (black and double-black diamond) tree skiing. The terrain is rolling and varied, with open bowl skiing at the top and glades on the west side and the lower 2/3 of the terrain. The Beavers is served by a four-person fixed-grip lift. Click here for current terrain status.
The Steep Gullies
The Steep Gullies is 129 acres of the most challenging skiing at Arapahoe Basin. These steep, narrow chutes vary in pitch and width, and are rated as "extreme" (double-black diamond). All terrain in The Steep Gullies is designated as "hike back," meaning that guests must hike or skin back to the bottom of the Pallavicini Lift upon completion of their run.
- The hike back trail leads from the bottom of The Beavers & The Steep Gullies terrain to the bottom terminal of the Pallavicini Lift
- Hike time is approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on equipment and fitness level
- Guests may use skins to make their way back to the lift
Master Development Plan & Timeline
The U.S. Forest Service conducted a thorough Environmental Review and public commenting process. To read U.S. Forest Service documentation related to The Beavers & The Steep Gullies expansion, click here.
- November 2016: The USFS released the Final Record of Decision approving expansion into The Beavers & The Steep Gullies.
- August 2016: The USFS released the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision.
- February 2016: The USFS released the Draft Environment Impact Statement (EIS), commencing a 45-day public comment period.
- October 2013: On October 3, we hosted a guided hike of the proposed Beavers expansion area. Click here to read the Summit Daily News recap of the hike.
- For information on our projects and process of our Master Development Plan, read this document:
- Public Notice - Arapahoe Basin Proposed Projects (U.S. Forest Service)
- The 2012 Master Development Plan is available to the public. Click here to download the PDF (9MB). Please note: the file is large and may take a moment to download.
