A-Basin In April?

Willgum

Active member
I'm heading up to A-basin the week of April 17th from Ny, and I'm wondering what to expect in terms of conditions and crowds, along with the state of the park then. Also if anyone has and tips for the best lines, much is appreciated! ( I'm also going to Breck)
 
both will be busy but mainly breck kos thats usually about when they close snow wont be great but fun part of the season to mess around with buddies
 
on the weekdays go to a basin. they've got great conditions right now and by april hopefully the whole east wall will be open. otherwise runs off pali are way fun on pow days.
 
There are some decent trees on the back side as well and usually some pretty good snow in spot. My favorite thing about Abay is the lack of crowds. Even though it is always empty, I really don't like their park very much, it's really steep in the beginning, then gets really flat, just not a good flow in my opinion. Their jumps have been closed the last two times I have been there as well.
 
Alright thanks, my plan is to hit park at Breck and then kinda wander around Abasin looking for lines. honestly anything out there will be better than whats going on in the east coast now so im stoked
 
The crowds only show up on the weekends, then a basin is the WORST place to be. it'll have breck sized crowds on a tiny mountain, not much fun... but yeah montezuma is only fun if you traverse all the way to elephants trunk or around that area. some good cliffs to huck off of
 
this. And imo East Wall is always different. It's only good if you get there on fresh days where it hasn't been WINDY at all.
 
yeah and sometimes they open it in the spring where it's all slushy and creamy with no bumps, which ain't bad
 
Abasin does get really crowded on the weekend AFTER all the other resorts close. If breck/key/vail are still open, A basin is pretty much ALWAYS empty.
Case in point, Brecks "26inch" day. I showed up at breck for first chair, skied 3 laps with 20 minute lift lines, left at 11 and came to A basin which reported 18. A basin was completely empty and so much better.
So, if everywhere else is open still with this late easter, I would go to Breck on weekdays and a basin on teh weekend to avoid the crowds as best as possible. I dont think I've gone to breck on a Fri/Sat/Sun this entire year.
A basin has a lot of legit terrain if you know where to look. Pali chair and face has a lot, check out runs like turbo and the alleys for the best steeps inbounds in Summit (unless you count lake chutes at breck...but those are only 500vert). Montezuma bowl has some great terrain too. The trees off to the far skiers left are good. Go all the way past them and theres always good snow, never touched. Also, the main bowl zone has a few decent cliffs, espeicially if you gar skiers right.
Breck is basically only good for park. Dont say I dont know the mountain, Ive given it way too many good days and know of lots of "secret spots," they all suck and are flat. Breck is a blast for park, but other than that....meh.
 
I was at abay saturday. It was crowded but like 90% of the people were just chillin at the base partying, lift lines were
 
same with friday, about 1 everyone and their mother showed up but just partied in the lot. had really stompable conditions from the 14~ inches that fell from the last storm, pali was so nice.
 
Back
Top