Arapahoe Basin is a legendary alpine ski area high in the Colorado Rockies. Max and Edna Dercum started the ski area along with the ski tip lodge in the 1940s. Since its early begging it has expanded to include over 60 trials serviced by 5 lifts. The east wall has a summit elevation of 13,050 feet (3977 meters) making it the highest ski able terrain in North America. About 250,000 skiers visit the ski area annually. Known popularly as "the basin" by locals, it has gained a reputation as a skiers paradise.