Keystone vs Arapahoe Basin
One clear look at snowfall, elevation, and access, so you know which to ski.
Keystone
CO · 12,408 ft
Arapahoe Basin
CO · 13,050 ft
Side-by-Side
| Metric | Keystone | Arapahoe Basin |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Colorado I-70 & Aspen CO | Colorado I-70 & Aspen CO |
| Summit elevation | 12,408 ft 9,280 ft base | 13,050 ft 10,780 ft base |
| NWS forecast bias | Pending grade pending | Pending grade pending |
| Season snowfall | 3" 4 storms | 6" 4 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 0.8"/day | 1.5"/day |
| Best storm | 15/100 Tracked | 27/100 Tracked |
| SNOTEL record | 4 storm-days measured | 4 storm-days measured |
| Community reports | 218 TGR posts | 572 TGR posts |
| Nearest airport | DEN | DEN |
| Drive time | 1.5h 75 mi · DEN | 1.33h 68 mi · DEN |
| Access difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Pass | Epic | — |
Snowfall totals come from each resort's tracked storms. NWS forecast grades read “pending” everywhere: six winters of checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct, so we show the raw NWS number and do not grade it.
The Verdict
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Keystone and Arapahoe Basin and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
Arapahoe Basin got more snow this season: 6" versus 3" at Keystone. Arapahoe Basin also averaged 1.5"/storm-day.
Both are a similar trip — roughly 1.5h from DEN.
Best for
Keystone — Epic pass holders weighing where to point a trip, with flight prices and drive timing side by side.
Best for
Arapahoe Basin — chasing the biggest totals — it out-snowed Keystone this season.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelKeystone
Heavy snow at Keystone creates excellent conditions for locals who know the mountain.
Arapahoe Basin
Chase powder early in season before conditions deteriorate to firm base.
FAQ
Does Keystone or Arapahoe Basin get more snow?
Arapahoe Basin got more snow this season: 6" versus 3" at Keystone. Arapahoe Basin also averaged 1.5"/storm-day.
Is Keystone or Arapahoe Basin easier to get to?
Both are a similar trip — roughly 1.5h from DEN.
Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Keystone or Arapahoe Basin?
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Keystone and Arapahoe Basin and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
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