Resort Comparison

Arapahoe Basin vs Buttermilk

The Verdict

Arapahoe Basin leads with 4 wins

Best for Families

Arapahoe Basin

Family-focused experience

Best Snowfall

Buttermilk

120.2" average season

Best Terrain

Arapahoe Basin

Impressive mountain

Best Value

Buttermilk

$0 day pass

Easiest Access

Arapahoe Basin

Most accessible

Best Village Vibe

Arapahoe Basin

Pleasant base area

Arapahoe Basin

Colorado, USA

$$Ikon

Buttermilk

Colorado, United States

Family

Ski School Age

—

Full-Day Program

Yes

—

Beginner Terrain

5.5

5.0

—

Walkability

7.0

5.0

—

Village Vibe

5.5

5.0

—

Mountain

Vertical

2,530'

1,999'

—

Skiable Area

1,428 ac

0 ac

—

Green Runs

10%

24%

—

Trails

147

—

Lifts

—

Getting There

Airport

DEN

—

Drive Time

1.5h

—

Road Ease

6.5

5.0

—

Cost

Passes

Ikon

None

—

Day Pass

$149

—

Cost Tier

Moderate

—

Village

Dining

Limited

—

Grocery

—

Spa

—

Pool

—

Arapahoe Basin

Colorado, USA

$$Ikon

Family

Ski School Age4+

Full-Day ProgramYes

Beginner Terrain

5.5

Walkability

7.0

Village Vibe

5.5

Mountain

Vertical2,530'

Skiable Area1,428 ac

Green Runs10%

Trails147

Getting There

AirportDEN

Drive Time1.5h

Road Ease

6.5

Cost

Day Pass$149

Cost TierModerate

Buttermilk

Colorado, United States

Family

Ski School Age—

Full-Day ProgramNo

Beginner Terrain

5.0

Walkability

5.0

Village Vibe

5.0

Mountain

Vertical1,999'

Skiable Area—

Green Runs24%

Trails50

Getting There

AirportDEN

Drive Time2h

Road Ease

5.0

Cost

Day Pass—

Cost TierModerate

Snowfall Comparison

Live conditions

Arapahoe Basin

108.8"

avg season

2024-25 season

107.1" total

98%

Buttermilk

120.2"

avg season

2024-25 season

109.2" total

91%

Season Accumulation (10-Year Average)

OctNovDecJanFebMarApr

120"60"0"

Arapahoe Basin

Buttermilk

Key Insights

Arapahoe Basin excels for families prioritizing family features.

Key Differences

Arapahoe Basin's walkability score (7.0) exceeds Buttermilk's (5.0), making it better for families prioritizing walkability
Arapahoe Basin offers more terrain variety (1,428 acres vs 0 acres)
Buttermilk has more beginner/intermediate terrain (70% green and blue), while Arapahoe Basin skews more advanced (60% black and double black)

Best For

Arapahoe Basin

Those seeking a walkable village experience
Advanced skiers seeking terrain variety (1,428 acres)
Parents with young children (ski school from age 4)

Buttermilk

Budget-conscious families

Home

Resort Comparison

Arapahoe Basin vs Buttermilk

The Verdict

Arapahoe Basin leads with 4 wins

Best for Families

Arapahoe Basin

Family-focused experience

Best Snowfall

Buttermilk

120.2" average season

Best Terrain

Arapahoe Basin

Impressive mountain

Best Value

Buttermilk

$0 day pass

Easiest Access

Arapahoe Basin

Most accessible

Best Village Vibe

Arapahoe Basin

Pleasant base area

Arapahoe Basin

Colorado, USA

$$Ikon

Buttermilk

Colorado, United States

Family

Ski School Age

—

Full-Day Program

Yes

—

Beginner Terrain

5.5

5.0

—

Walkability

7.0

5.0

—

Village Vibe

5.5

5.0

—

Mountain

Vertical

2,530'

1,999'

—

Skiable Area

1,428 ac

0 ac

—

Green Runs

10%

24%

—

Trails

147

—

Lifts

—

Getting There

Airport

DEN

—

Drive Time

1.5h

—

Road Ease

6.5

5.0

—

Cost

Passes

Ikon

None

—

Day Pass

$149

—

Cost Tier

Moderate

—

Village

Dining

Limited

—

Grocery

—

Spa

—

Pool

—

Arapahoe Basin

Colorado, USA

$$Ikon

Family

Ski School Age4+

Full-Day ProgramYes

Beginner Terrain

5.5

Walkability

7.0

Village Vibe

5.5

Mountain

Vertical2,530'

Skiable Area1,428 ac

Green Runs10%

Trails147

Getting There

AirportDEN

Drive Time1.5h

Road Ease

6.5

Cost

Day Pass$149

Cost TierModerate

Buttermilk

Colorado, United States

Family

Ski School Age—

Full-Day ProgramNo

Beginner Terrain

5.0

Walkability

5.0

Village Vibe

5.0

Mountain

Vertical1,999'

Skiable Area—

Green Runs24%

Trails50

Getting There

AirportDEN

Drive Time2h

Road Ease

5.0

Cost

Day Pass—

Cost TierModerate

Snowfall Comparison

Live conditions

Arapahoe Basin

108.8"

avg season

2024-25 season

107.1" total

98%

Buttermilk

120.2"

avg season

2024-25 season

109.2" total

91%

Season Accumulation (10-Year Average)

OctNovDecJanFebMarApr

120"60"0"

Arapahoe Basin

Buttermilk

Key Insights

Arapahoe Basin excels for families prioritizing family features.

Key Differences

Arapahoe Basin's walkability score (7.0) exceeds Buttermilk's (5.0), making it better for families prioritizing walkability
Arapahoe Basin offers more terrain variety (1,428 acres vs 0 acres)
Buttermilk has more beginner/intermediate terrain (70% green and blue), while Arapahoe Basin skews more advanced (60% black and double black)