Colorado Ski Resort Cleverly Alters Name for Pride Weekend

As Colorado's many skiers and snowboarders anxiously await the opening of ski season each year, there's always one ski resort that fires up the chairlifts before the rest - Arapahoe Basin.

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While not as world-famous as ski mountains like Vail and Aspen, Arapahoe Basin is a local favorite with a base that sits at over 10,000 feet above sea level, a peak elevation of over 13,000 feet, and is magnificently nestled in the White River National Forest just outside of Keystone.

Affectionately referred to as 'A-Basin,' the ski area will be modifying its moniker slightly in celebration of a special gay pride-themed weekend later this month, and its new, temporary name couldn't be more clever.

Colorado Ski Area to Become Gay Basin for a Weekend

The weekend of May 17 and 18, 2025, will be a celebration of LGBTQ Pride at Arapahoe Basin and surrounding areas, and the festivities are under the umbrella of the cleverly-named Gay Basin.

The celebration kicks off on Saturday, May 17, at 9 a.m. and will include live music and DJ sets, a parade, dancing, food and drink, and of course, skiing.

There will also be a special Gay Basin afterparty once the mountain closes at 4 p.m. on Saturday that will take place just down the road at Outer Range Brewing Co. in Frisco. In addition, Outer Range Brewing Co. will be serving up a limited Gay Basin Extra Pale Ale during the afterparty.

Check out more information on the 4th Annual Gay Basin celebration at Arapahoe Basin's official website.