Grand County was the place where recreational skiing began in the northern and central parts of Colorado. In Lost Ski Areas of Colorado’s Front Range and Northern Mountains 16 hills are described. One of the later hills in the county was called Frosty Basin.
At the writing of our first lost ski areas book, we could not find information on the hill’s exact whereabouts, and we published limited information about it. Fortunately, we have since connected with Jim Hackstaff, whose family owns Antler Basin Ranch, where Frosty Basin was. Enjoy the following narrative by the Hackstaff Family — many thanks to them — and all the fun photos by Jim Hackstaff.
In 1952, the Middle Park Ski Club built the Frosty Basin Ski Area on land John Murphy of the Murphy Ranch let them use. The property is 280 acres and is located directly west of downtown Granby off of County Rd 57 on the slopes of Mount Chauncey. The property is now known as Antler Basin Ranch.
Frosty Basin Ranch was a community resort built by the locals for the locals. It had three runs, two rope tows, a jumping hill and lights for night skiing. Building and running the ski area was a real community effort. Rope tows, motors, power lines and lights for night skiing were donated by townfolk, other ranches and suppliers in the area. Skiing instruction was provided for the novices.
Unfortunately, the endeavor only lasted about three years. Not only was running it a lot of effort for the volunteers, but Frosty Basin could not compete with the big mountains at Winter Park Ski Resort.
As the years went on, the property returned to its native state. The sage and aspens returned, the equipment deteriorated, and the abandoned warming hut burned because of embers from a neglected campfire. You can still see remnants of the rope and electrical towers as well as the gear boxes as you ascend the Antler Basin Ranch roadway.
Today, Antler Basin Ranch stands as a magnificent lodge, retreat and event center that is available for rent. The terrain and the views are spectacular. You can stay and play where the old slopes used to be. There is ample acreage for snowmobiling, sledding, tubing, ski up/ski down, disc golf, 4-wheeling, hiking, biking and glamping. Even fishing by arrangement is available on a neighboring ranch.
The Ranch hosts families and friends for reunions and holiday stays, as well as many weddings and other events. For the last five years the owners have focused on re-establishing the winter activities too. The 280 acres are perfect for all winter activities. In fact, Antler Basin was the host of the 2022 and 2023 Rocky Mountain States Hillclimb Association’s Antler Basin Ranch Hillclimb.
Check out the Ranch and all the activities at www.antlerbasinranch.com, call the ranch at 303-619-2914, follow the Ranch on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Antler%20Basin%20Ranch/981736735308232 and visit the Ranch on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/antlerbasinranch/