Outdoor enthusiasts usually head to Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Colorado to ski and snowboard its towering slopes. However, there’s now another compelling reason to visit with the launch of a new via ferrata. The team at Arapahoe claims it’s the highest in North America and is already welcoming climbers after opening last week.
If you need a break away from the home office desk, Arapahoe Basin offers the ideal escape. This Rocky Mountain region provides opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and mountain yoga. Moreover, for families, the park’s aerial adventure and disc golf courses add to the fun. The new via ferrata—or iron road—traverses the rugged terrain of the East Wall summit, creating exciting adventures.
Invented in World War I to facilitate troop movements through the Dolomite mountains in Italy, via ferrate have gained popularity throughout Europe. There are only a limited number in North America, and the team at Arapahoe Basin claims this one stands at 12,900 feet, making it just shy of the highest in the world located on Mount Kenya and Mount Kinabalu.
The via ferrata is designed as a protected climbing course, featuring expertly placed steel rungs and handholds for safety. Participants wear a harness and clip into cables to ensure security should they slip, therefore making mountain climbing accessible to those without prior climbing experience. In fact, if you can climb a ladder, you’re set. Nonetheless, a good level of fitness and acclimatization to the altitude are recommended.
“People are coming from all over to experience it, and we see many adventurous families taking on the challenge together—including instances of three generations joining in at once,” said Katherine Fuller, Arapahoe Basin’s communications manager. “For some, it is one of the craziest things they will ever do. For others, it whets their appetite for mountaineering and rock climbing.”
“Everything is wide-open and unrestricted up there; you can see for miles and feel completely out in the wild,” she added.
Climbing the via ferrata is conducted through organized tours. Participants can opt for a half-day hike to an abandoned mine or go for a full-day hike reaching the ridgeline at 13,000 feet. Each tour begins with coffee and pastries at morning check-in and incorporates a scenic chairlift ride, transportation to the starting point, and all the necessary equipment and training.
A half-day tour (approximately four hours) costs $175 per person, while full-day tours (around six hours) are priced at $225 per person. Both options include gear rental and a guide, with the full-day tour featuring a gourmet charcuterie lunch prepared daily by the main restaurant.
When undertaking the via ferrata, it is advisable to bring a backpack, warm layers, a rain jacket, sunscreen, water, and any necessary snacks. For further details, visit here.
