{"id":797353,"date":"2019-07-04T18:11:38","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T00:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summitdaily.com\/?p=368370"},"modified":"2019-07-04T18:11:38","modified_gmt":"2019-07-05T00:11:38","slug":"liberty-lines-droves-of-freedom-riders-descend-on-arapahoe-basin-ski-area-for-sunny-july-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/local-news\/liberty-lines-droves-of-freedom-riders-descend-on-arapahoe-basin-ski-area-for-sunny-july-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberty lines: Droves of freedom riders descend on Arapahoe Basin Ski Area for sunny July 4"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.9157017137564\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-368370-916\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-11-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-11-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | A shirtless snowboarder stands with the American flag, the East Wall of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in the distance.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>A shirtless snowboarder stands with the American flag, the East Wall of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in the distance.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-11-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A shirtless snowboarder stands with the American flag, the East Wall of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in the distance.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-12-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-12-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | A snowboarder holds Old Glory high while riding from the top of the Lenawee lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in honor of Independence Day.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><strong>A snowboarder holds Old Glory high while riding from the top of the Lenawee lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in honor of Independence Day.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-12-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A snowboarder holds Old Glory high while riding from the top of the Lenawee lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in honor of Independence Day.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-13-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-13-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | A skier keeps her tips up as she plunges into the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>A skier keeps her tips up as she plunges into the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-13-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A skier keeps her tips up as she plunges into the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-14-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-14-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | A snowboarder holds Old Glory high while riding a rail at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in honor of Independence Day.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><strong>A snowboarder holds Old Glory high while riding a rail at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in honor of Independence Day.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-14-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A snowboarder holds Old Glory high while riding a rail at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in honor of Independence Day.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-6-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-6-1024x576.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | A snowboarder proudly waves the American flag while riding through the Lake Reveal pond skim above treeline at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday's Fourth of July holiday.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>A snowboarder proudly waves the American flag while riding through the Lake Reveal pond skim above treeline at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday&#8217;s Fourth of July holiday.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A snowboarder proudly waves the American flag while riding through the Lake Reveal pond skim above treeline at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday's Fourth of July holiday.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-7-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-7-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | A skier skims across the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>A skier skims across the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-7-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A skier skims across the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-8-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-8-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | A group of friends donned in red, white and blue pose for a celebratory picture at the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>A group of friends donned in red, white and blue pose for a celebratory picture at the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-8-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A group of friends donned in red, white and blue pose for a celebratory picture at the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-9-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-9-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | Skiers and snowboarders ride up the Lenawee lift on July 4 at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><strong>Skiers and snowboarders ride up the Lenawee lift on July 4 at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-9-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Skiers and snowboarders ride up the Lenawee lift on July 4 at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-1024x768.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com | Captain America: Larry Paige, of Vail\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>Captain America: Larry Paige, of Vail<\/strong><br \/>Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Captain America: Larry Paige, of Vail\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-1-e1562276525770-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-1-e1562276525770-768x1024.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com | The military man: Andrew Peeples, of Longmont\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>The military man: Andrew Peeples, of Longmont<\/strong><br \/>Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-1-e1562276525770-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The military man: Andrew Peeples, of Longmont\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-2-e1562276557569-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-2-e1562276557569-768x1024.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com | The wet eaglet: Jonathan Sutton, 10, of Aurora\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><strong>The wet eaglet: Jonathan Sutton, 10, of Aurora<\/strong><br \/>Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-2-e1562276557569-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The wet eaglet: Jonathan Sutton, 10, of Aurora\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-3-e1562276599997-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-3-e1562276599997-768x1024.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com | The Grateful gang: Marti Drum, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Michael Whitewolf, of Orlando, Florida; and Scott Bunkin, of San Francisco\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>The Grateful gang: Marti Drum, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Michael Whitewolf, of Orlando, Florida; and Scott Bunkin, of San Francisco<\/strong><br \/>Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-3-e1562276599997-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The Grateful gang: Marti Drum, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Michael Whitewolf, of Orlando, Florida; and Scott Bunkin, of San Francisco\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-4-e1562276796882-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-4-e1562276796882-768x1024.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com | The mustachioed firefighter: Brett Bartlett, of Evergreen\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><strong>The mustachioed firefighter: Brett Bartlett, of Evergreen<\/strong><br \/>Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-4-e1562276796882-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The mustachioed firefighter: Brett Bartlett, of Evergreen\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-5-e1562276823683-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-5-e1562276823683-768x1024.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com | The star-spangled speedo: Mitch Rodrigues, of Austin, Texas\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>The star-spangled speedo: Mitch Rodrigues, of Austin, Texas<\/strong><br \/>Antonio Olivero \/ aolivero@summitdaily.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-5-e1562276823683-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The star-spangled speedo: Mitch Rodrigues, of Austin, Texas\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-10-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-10-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area | A skier skims across the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>A skier skims across the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-10-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A skier skims across the Lake Reveal pond skim at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Thursday, July 4.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.summitdaily.com\/news\/liberty-lines-droves-of-freedom-riders-descend-on-arapahoe-basin-ski-area-for-sunny-july-4\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.summitdaily.com\/news\/liberty-lines-droves-of-freedom-riders-descend-on-arapahoe-basin-ski-area-for-sunny-july-4\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>KEYSTONE \u2014 On the day of this nation\u2019s independence, it was indeed the people\u2019s party high up on the Continental Divide.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly after 8:30 a.m. Thursday, the first skiers and riders hopped off the top of the Lenawee Mountain chairlift above 12,000 feet. They were here \u2014 where the country\u2019s eastern slope meets it western slope \u2014 from all across the country, from Orlando to the east to San Francisco to the west. And whether they took one run or lapped all day, the thousands who made up the sea of skiers and snowboarders at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area were in search of a once-in-a-lifetime Fourth of July memory.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is nothing anywhere like what\u2019s happening here today,\u201d A-Basin chief operating officer Alan Henceroth said while looking out at the mass of skiers and riders in the Mountain Goat Plaza base area.<\/p>\n<p>A couple of hours earlier at the top of the ski area, many of these people got the moment they were looking for as they dropped in for their Fourth of July ride. Before they did, many looked out to see the summer sunshine illuminating a tribe of mountain goats in the saddle along the rocky hillside leading toward Little Lenawee Peak. The goats soon made their way over to the closed Montezuma Express Chairlift, as if to say, \u201cHey, we can join in on the fun, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite the monumental crowds \u2014 vehicle after vehicle was parked along U.S. Highway 6 around several switchbacks leading up to Loveland Pass \u2014 and despite the slushy, summer snow, these party people celebrated to the fullest what was the first Fourth of July ski day at A-Basin in almost a decade.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-facebook wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-facebook\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/videos\/448107795986698\/\" data-width=\"500\" readability=\"7.5436241610738\">\n<blockquote cite=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/videos\/448107795986698\/\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\" readability=\"8.4865771812081\">\n<p>Happy Birthday, America!A ride and a run off Lenawee provides a glimpse of the skiers, snowboarders (and mountain goats) celebrating Fourth of July at the Continental Divide at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area this morning.?\u26f7????\u26f7?<\/p>\n<p>Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/\">Summit Daily News<\/a> on Thursday, July 4, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cA lot of people turned out \u2014 a lot, a lot of people turned out,\u201d Henceroth said. \u201cWe\u2019re full. But, gosh, people are having a ball. We\u2019ve got bands going. Lake Reveal (pond skim) is going off right now. Everywhere I turn, people are just smiling and talking. I don\u2019t know how many people have said thanks today \u2014 for a great day, for a great season. This is awesome. I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The crowds at A-Basin on Thursday were, in a word, humongous. For a ski area known as \u201cThe Legend,\u201d one steeped in decades of history, Thursday likely will go down as one to remember. Sure, it was the first time the ski area opened on Fourth of July in eight years, but it also was the final day of Vail Resorts\u2019 Epic Pass being accepted at the ski area. And then there were the pristine, partly cloudy conditions. It all rolled up into a day of quantity and quality at Summit County\u2019s oldest ski area, where most every face in the crowd left smiling.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a look at some of those faces in the crowd.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Captain America:<\/strong> Larry Paige, of Vail<\/p>\n<p>This might have been the final day of the ski season for many, but for Paige, who traveled last year to ski July 4 in Chile, this was Day 1 of his 2019-20 ski season. He logged 118 this past season, starting with Wolf Creek\u2019s early opening in October.<\/p>\n<p>The retired Marine concocted his Captain America getup with a red, white and blue compression shirt and a small helmet with an \u201cA\u201d affixed to the front. Thursday was special for Paige as July 4 was the fourth birthday for his grandson.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis will go down as one of my more memorable Fourths,\u201d Paige said. \u201c\u2026I\u2019ve been to (Washington,) D.C., on the Fourth of July several times. But with this group, this crowd, enduring everything they have to \u2014 to park, to get here, even the police had no ability to win. \u2018No parking, no parking.\u2019 I think the crowd dictated, \u2018Yes, we are going to park here. Because we are going to ski. We are going to enjoy the Fourth of July.\u2019 And even though it\u2019s crowded and there are lines, everybody is still having fun and enjoying the celebrations.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-facebook wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-facebook\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/videos\/1007184153006450\/\" data-width=\"500\" readability=\"5.9635922330097\">\n<blockquote cite=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/videos\/1007184153006450\/\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\" readability=\"5.504854368932\">\n<p>Snowboarders and skiers donned in Stars and Stripes attempt the Lake Reveal pond skim this Fourth of July morning at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area!\u26f7??<\/p>\n<p>Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/\">Summit Daily News<\/a> on Thursday, July 4, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><strong>The military man:<\/strong> Andrew Peeples, of Longmont<\/p>\n<p>Peeples first got onto the slope five hours after he left his house at 6 a.m. Thursday. The trip was worth it ,though, as the skier rode the mountain while holding a giant American flag he picked up from his front porch.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m just a big fan of the World War II army look,\u201d Peeples said about his outfit, which featured his father\u2019s pilot gloves and an old military helmet found at a surplus store. \u201cI threw it together the best I could, bought some green pants for it and decided to have some fun. I respect the hell out of our troops. I love \u2019em all to death and figured it was a way to have some fun and say \u2018thanks.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>The wet eaglet:<\/strong> Jonathan Sutton, of Aurora<\/p>\n<p>The 10-year-old Sutton convinced his dad to drop into the Lake Reveal pond skim with him. Father and son got soaked, and while young Jonathan emptied out the water from his ski boots, he described how he made the special eagle\u2019s-nest helmet with his dad.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe used wires through the air holes and then taped it on,\u201d Jonathan said about his dad\u2019s method of using electrical tape to affix the Fourth of July hat to his ski helmet.<\/p>\n<div class=\"p402_hide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"caption-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-3-e1562276599997-768x1024.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-368380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-3-e1562276599997-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.summitdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/07\/ABasinFourth-SDN-070519-3-e1562276599997-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\"><figcaption><strong>The Grateful gang: Marti Drum, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Michael Whitewolf, of Orlando, Florida; and Scott Bunkin, of San Francisco<\/strong><br \/><em>Antonio Olivero \/ <a href=\"mailto:aolivero@summitdaily.com\">aolivero@summitdaily.com<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>The Grateful gang:<\/strong> Marti Drum, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Michael Whitewolf, of Orlando, Florida; and Scott Bunkin, of San Francisco<\/p>\n<p>Drum was the ringleader of her Grateful Dead-loving trio of friends, who thought, \u201cWhy not trip up to A-Basin for a ski before this weekend\u2019s Dead &amp; Company shows at Folsom Field in Boulder?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo get our freak flags flying,\u201d Whitewolf said.<\/p>\n<p>Drum wore a Lady Liberty-themed crown and gown with whacky sunglasses purchased from the A-Basin gift shop while Bunkin wore his Uncle Sam outfit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c\u2018I\u2019m Uncle Sam, that\u2019s who I am,&#8217;\u201d Bunkin said, quoting the Grateful Dead song \u201cU.S. Blues.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As for Whitewolf, he donned some borrowed gear from Drum.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was just standing there,\u201d he said, \u201cMarti handed me a beer, and she says, \u2018Rock my tutu.\u2019 What was I gonna say?\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-facebook wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-facebook\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/videos\/384650832402534\/\" data-width=\"500\" readability=\"5.8826815642458\">\n<blockquote cite=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/videos\/384650832402534\/\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\" readability=\"5.4301675977654\">\n<p>LIVE: Star-spangled skiers and riders ready to shred Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on this Fourth of July holiday\u2026\u26f7???<\/p>\n<p>Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/summitdailynews\/\">Summit Daily News<\/a> on Thursday, July 4, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><strong>The mustachioed firefighter:<\/strong> Brett Bartlett, of Evergreen<\/p>\n<p>Though he was unable to ride Thursday due to a knee injury suffered while firefighting, Bartlett wasn\u2019t going to miss Fourth of July at A-Basin. He was here eight years ago, the last time A-Basin opened for the summertime holiday, and said the crowds on Thursday were \u201cexponentially\u201d larger.<\/p>\n<p>Donning a USA-themed cowboy hat with a couple of above-the-ear cylindrical holders for coozies and beverages, Bartlett regarded the day as almost a spiritual experience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSnowboarding is my passion my whole life,\u201d he said. \u201cI have done everything from competing to ski patrol to avalanche search and rescue to dog handler. The mountains are my church.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>The star-spangled speedo:<\/strong> Mitch Rodrigues, of Austin, Texas<\/p>\n<p>Lucky enough to get a tailgating spot at A-Basin\u2019s \u201cbeach\u201d front-row parking area, Rodrigues opted for the lightest gear imaginable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI played water polo in high school, so I had the speedo still,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I was like, \u2018Well, screw it. I\u2019ll bring it.\u2019 And it ended up being such a great day out, I decided to wear it the whole time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.summitdaily.com\/news\/liberty-lines-droves-of-freedom-riders-descend-on-arapahoe-basin-ski-area-for-sunny-july-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Summit Daily<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A shirtless snowboarder stands with the American flag, the East Wall of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in the distance.Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area A snowboarder holds Old Glory high while riding from the top of the Lenawee lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in honor of Independence Day.Courtesy Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-797353","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-17 14:33:05","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSMT The Mountain","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=797353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797353\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=797353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=797353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=797353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}