Arapahoe Basin being acquired by Denver-based Alterra Mountain Co.

Skiers and snowboarders went skiing at Arapahoe Basin near Dillon on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Arapahoe Basin ski area, proudly an independent business for many years — even as mergers and consolidations became more common in the ski industry — is now being acquired by Denver-based Alterra Mountain Co., according to a Monday morning news release.
Since 1997, A-Basin has been owned by Dream Unlimited, a Canadian real estate firm previously known as Dundee Realty. During Dream’s ownership, every lift on the mountain has been replaced, and two new on-mountain restaurants have been built.
“Change is a rich part of our history at A-Basin,” chief operating officer Alan Henceroth said in the release. “Through different ownerships and eras, we’ve always been able to keep the vibe alive at our mountain. Since 2019, we’ve worked alongside Alterra as a destination on Ikon Pass, and I am certain of their commitment to our history, culture, and attitude.”
In a message posted on Facebook, Henceroth said Alterra has asked him to stay on board, and acknowledged that customers and employees will likely have a lot to say.
“There will be hundreds, if not thousands, of questions to be answered. We will not know most of these answers until the closing occurs,” he wrote. “It will take patience for all of us to get through the awkward and uncertain months between contract signing and closing. I want all of you to know that my commitment to running the best mountain in the business, focused on our unique guest experience and our passionate and dedicated employees, will be greater than ever.”
The initial reaction to the news was mainly negative on A-Basin’s Facebook page as commenters expressed sadness over what they see as the end of an era of independence for the resort.
“This makes me sad. A-Basin has always been a staple of the best skiing and without all the corporate tourist polish. It still showcases its natural beauty without being overgrown and overrun like all of the other resorts in Summit County,” one said.
“I mean, when they started literally selling/reserving the beach parking spots, it was clear it was changing. What a shame,” wrote another.
Alterra owns 17 resorts, including Steamboat, and it manages Winter Park for the City of Denver. Alterra also provides access to dozens more resorts through the Ikon Pass.
The deal is expected to close later this year.
“Arapahoe Basin is considered legendary for a reason,” said Jared Smith, Alterra’s president and chief executive, in a statement. “From its unparalleled terrain to its commitment to sustainability, A-Basin has a team that has a passion and commitment for this unique place and its traditions, making it an ideal fit for the Alterra Mountain Company family.”
Arapahoe Basin was founded in 1946 by Larry Jump, a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division “ski troops” who trained at Camp Hale near Leadville before combat in Italy during World War II.
In 1978, Ralston Purina purchased A-Basin with the intention of using it to complement neighboring Keystone, which it already owned. At the time, Keystone was much smaller and was primarily known for beginner and intermediate terrain, while A-Basin was known for more challenging slopes including the famed Pallavicini double-black. In 1993, Ralston acquired Breckenridge, and three years later Vail Resorts — which then owned only Vail, Beaver Creek and Arrowhead — moved to buy the three Ralston ski areas in Summit County.
That raised anti-trust concerns with the U.S. Justice Department, which saw it as a threat to competition in the Front Range ski market. Ultimately it ruled that Vail could acquire Keystone and Breckenridge as long Arapahoe Basin was sold to a third party. That became Dundee Realty.
Summit County’s other area — Copper Mountain — is owned by Utah-based Powdr, which also owns Eldora Mountain Resort and nine other areas. Alterra rival Vail Resorts owns five Colorado resorts — Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge and Crested Butte — and three dozen others. Vail Resorts sells Epic passes, while Alterra markets Ikon passes.
Monday’s announcement isn’t going down well with A-Basin’s devoted following if indie-minded skiers and riders, as negative Facebook comments pile up:
“This is the worst news I have ever heard. Parking already fills by 8 a.m. on a weekend. Bad bad bad decision. RIP the local vibe of The Legend.”
As it says, another domino falls … corporate domination seemingly too powerful at this point to stop … days of skiing being soul are a memory of the past. Please independent ski resort owners who are left … make a last stand, as hard as it likely is (and only getting harder) to continue operations independently. Stand up for integrity, a forgotten principle of the distraction these two large conglomerates (both Ikon & Epic, neither of which are either) have brought to mountain towns.
RIP A-Basin. It’s going to be IKON-ically awful for your entire community. Truly sorry for your loss.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
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Author: OpenAI