Partnership between A-Basin and Vail Resorts for the ski season 2019-2020

In a written statement, Alan Henceroth, Operations Manager at A-Basin, said: "The ski area has developed a very special community that feels like home, to continue to reinforce that spirit and the experience we have. we have created Arapahoe Basin and Vail The resorts will not renew their partnership. "

Specifically, the A-Basin website cites "a pinch on parking spaces and facilities" as the reason why the mountain breaks with Vail Resorts.

"These actions are designed to preserve the particular culture and atmosphere that people expect when they choose to spend a day at The Basin," it continues.

At the time of writing these lines, A-Basin says that he has no new partnerships to announce, but that he is discussing opportunities with resort groups other than Vail Resorts. The mountain has recently expanded this season with a new lift allowing access to 34 trails on the Beavers / Steep Gullies field.

The new chair leading to the beavers.

Whitney Henceroth for Arapahoe Basin

So what does this morning's announcement mean for current pass holders, including those with the Keystone A-Basin Pass or the Epic Pass sold by Vail Resorts?

All passes sold by Vail Resorts and valid at A-Basin will remain for the 2018/2019 season.

In a separate announcement on its website, Vail Resorts says that a new "Keystone Plus Pass" will replace the Keystone A-Basin Pass for the 2019/2020 season.

The Keystone Plus Pass ($ 369 for adults) must include ten discounted tickets, unlimited access to Keystone with residence restrictions, a late spring ski run in Breckenridge starting April 1 and five days in Crested Butte .

Kirsten Lynch, Marketing Director of Vail Resorts, said, "We would like to thank Arapahoe Basin for their partnership of over twenty years. We are disappointed, but given the success that they have had and their recent investments in the resort, we recognize that the time has come for them to go in a different direction. "