A-Basin Gets Facelift

The look of Arapahoe Basin's base area is changing for the first time in three decades with a new $1 million rental and repair shop.

The new building will be about 7,500 square feet (three times larger than the old building) and will house a rental and repair shop, restrooms, public waiting area and several caretaker apartments. The old facility was a fixture at the base area for much of the ski area's 59-year-old history, and was torn down shortly after the ski area closed last season.

The final product will resemble the base's other two green and white A-frame-style buildings, including the main lodge and the ski patrol building.

The new building is expected to be finished and open for business around the first of the year. Also new this year, A-Basin plans to step up the number of live music acts performing in the bar and offer soup and other snacks at the summit building.

The ski area is hoping to add 400 more acres of skiable terrain with an expansion into Montezuma Bowl, although the addition into the popular backcountry area isn't expected until the 2006-2007 season at the earliest.