Saturday, May 28, 2011

Monday is Last Day for Pali

"All Things Must Pass" - title of George Harrison's first album after the Beatles broke up.

It has been an absolutely extraordinary season on Pallavicini Lift and terrain. Over the season I have chatted with hundreds, maybe thousands, of people that shared their magnificent Pali experiences with me. We will smile on this season as long as we live.

Deciding to close Pali is one of the most difficult decisions we make each year. I recognize this decision will be very unpopular with some people. Four factors play into the decision. 1) As we phase into summer skiing and the temperatures warm up, the quality of the steep skiing really degenerates, 2) As rapid snow melt begins our avalanche concerns increase, 3) The public demand for skiing in late spring/summer shifts from steep Pali/like terrain to more compacted or groomed terrain, and 4) as fewer people ride the lift, the business equation no longer works.

When you turn on the news and the number 1 story is spring run-off and flood warnings, it is time to think about closing Pali.

All four of these conditions happen about the same time, although not necessarily the same day. It is all coming together to make Monday the last day for the lift. As avalanche conditions change, some of the terrain may close even earlier.

I would like to thank all of you for the great season on Pali and all of A-Basin. We are going to be open 7 days a week until June 5 and we are going to be open AT LEAST June, 10, 11, 12, and June 17, 18, and 19. We will make a decision about extending until July 4th sometime in mid-June.

This has been a great season with some special summer skiing yet to come. Thanks for being part of Arapahoe Basin.