Loveland vs Arapahoe Basin
One clear look at snowfall, elevation, and access, so you know which to ski.
Loveland
CO · 13,010 ft
Arapahoe Basin
CO · 13,050 ft
Side-by-Side
| Metric | Loveland | Arapahoe Basin |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Colorado I-70 & Aspen CO | Colorado I-70 & Aspen CO |
| Summit elevation | 13,010 ft 10,800 ft base | 13,050 ft 10,780 ft base |
| NWS forecast bias | Pending grade pending | Pending grade pending |
| Season snowfall | 7" 4 storms | 6" 4 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 1.7"/day | 1.5"/day |
| Best storm | 39/100 Tracked | 27/100 Tracked |
| SNOTEL record | 4 storm-days measured | 4 storm-days measured |
| Community reports | 332 TGR posts | 572 TGR posts |
| Nearest airport | DEN | DEN |
| Drive time | 1h 56 mi · DEN | 1.33h 68 mi · DEN |
| Access difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Pass | — | — |
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 Loveland 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.
Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ran neck-and-neck this season, about 7" and 6" of snowfall respectively.
Loveland is the easier trip — about 1h from DEN (Denver), versus 1.33h from DEN for Arapahoe Basin.
Best for
Loveland — quick-strike trips — the easier drive at ~1h from DEN.
Best for
Arapahoe Basin — Colorado I-70 & Aspen regulars who want the local knowledge and access planning, not just a forecast.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelLoveland
Loveland receives consistent snow and is worth skiing during storm cycles.
Arapahoe Basin
Chase powder early in season before conditions deteriorate to firm base.
FAQ
Does Loveland or Arapahoe Basin get more snow?
Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ran neck-and-neck this season, about 7" and 6" of snowfall respectively.
Is Loveland or Arapahoe Basin easier to get to?
Loveland is the easier trip — about 1h from DEN (Denver), versus 1.33h from DEN for Arapahoe Basin.
Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Loveland or Arapahoe Basin?
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Loveland 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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