Alterra Mountain Company agreed to purchase Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) in Colorado from Dream Unlimited Corp., expanding its portfolio of destination resorts in the Rockies.
Terms were not disclosed. More details following the close of the transaction.
“Arapahoe Basin is considered legendary for a reason. 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,” said Jared Smith, president and CEO of Alterra Mountain Company. “A-Basin was a key addition to the Ikon Pass in 2019 and we have since then worked alongside their dedicated team and look forward to continuing our shared goals and values.”
Alan Henceroth, A-Basin’s chief operating officer who has been with A-Basin for 36 years, will continue to lead the resort, overseeing daily operations and leadership of future capital improvements, including expanding parking and snowmaking.
“A-Basin has a long-time and loyal following among skiers and riders in Colorado, and we care deeply about the culture of A-Basin that brings them back,” said Henceroth. “We have worked with Alterra Mountain Company since 2019 when we joined the Ikon Pass community, and we have every faith that Alterra is committed to helping us maintain A-Basin’s authenticity.”
Over the last 27 years, Dream Unlimited, together with the Arapahoe Basin management team, expanded the ski area to 1,428 acres, replaced the lifts and most of the buildings, and opened the two highest-elevation restaurants in North America—Il Rifugio and Steilhang Hut. In 2018, A-Basin pledged to be carbon neutral by 2025. Recently, the resort made a huge step toward that goal by officially using 100 percent renewable electricity.
When the deal is complete, Arapahoe Basin will bring Alterra’s portfolio to 18 year-round mountain destination resorts in North America. The transaction is expected to close in late 2024 and is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
A-Basin is located 68 miles from Denver and boasts the longest ski season in Colorado, often running through July 4. The resort sits on the Continental Divide in the Rockies and offers some of North America’s highest-elevation and most challenging terrain, including Pallavicini, the East Wall, and the Steep Gullies, plus newer terrain Beavers and Montezuma Bowl. The Beach, a stretch of prime real estate at the base, transforms into one of Colorado’s longest-standing après traditions.
Alterra Mountain Company’s destination resorts are located throughout seven states and three Canadian provinces: Steamboat and Winter Park Resort in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Valley in California; Sugarbush and Stratton in Vermont; Snowshoe in West Virginia; Tremblant in Quebec, Blue Mountain in Ontario; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Schweitzer in Idaho; Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah; and CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures in British Columbia.
There are no reported changes to the Ikon Pass 2023/24 winter ski and snowboard season pass, which was first introduced in January 2018. Today, the Pass offers skiers and riders access to over 50 mountain destinations in the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
Image courtesy Alterra Mountain Company
