Loveland vs Arapahoe Basin
One calibrated, SNOTEL-backed look at snowfall, forecast accuracy, 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 accuracy grade | F 100% overpredict | F 100% overpredict |
| Calibrated season snowfall | 13" 48 storms | 11" 47 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 0.3"/day | 0.3"/day |
| Best storm | 15/100 Tracked | 13/100 Significant |
| Verified storms | 497 SNOTEL-verified | 475 SNOTEL-verified |
| Community reports | 115 TGR posts | 855 TGR posts |
| Nearest airport | DEN | DEN |
| Drive time | 1h 56 mi · DEN | 1.33h 68 mi · DEN |
| Access difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Pass | — | — |
Snowfall totals and NWS grades come from the same SNOTEL-verified data on each resort's own page. Blank or “pending” cells mean the data is still being verified — we never fill them with estimates.
The Verdict
Loveland and Arapahoe Basin earn the same NWS accuracy grade of F, based on SNOTEL-verified storms.
Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ran neck-and-neck this season — about 13" and 11" of calibrated 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 SNOTEL-calibrated forecasts, not raw NWS numbers.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelLoveland
Extreme wind events (100+ mph gusts documented April 2022) can force full closure.
Arapahoe Basin
A-Basin excels on storm days with soft conditions and multiple top-to-bottom laps possible.
FAQ
Does Loveland or Arapahoe Basin get more snow?
Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ran neck-and-neck this season — about 13" and 11" of calibrated 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?
Loveland and Arapahoe Basin earn the same NWS accuracy grade of F, based on SNOTEL-verified storms.
Keep Exploring
Don't book the wrong mountain
Calibrated forecasts · Storm alerts · Access planning · Local knowledge — for Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, and 74 other resorts.
Start 7-Day Free Trial — $500/yearNo card required to start · Cancel anytime