The Best Double Chair in America is Open for Skiing

All Images: Lucas Herbert, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

This one's sure to start a hearty debate, but that's what we're here for! You probably clicked on this article thinking, "the best double chair in America? That's [fill in the blank] chair at my ski area!" If your ski area is Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, then you'd be right.

A-Basin's Pallavicini chairlift, known formally as Pali or casually as The Center of the Universe, is officially open for winter 2025/26. The ski area announced the news last week, stating, "Pali is our most beloved lift and terrain. This zone is the most bang-for-your-buck lift in the industry, with all expert, big mountain terrain that is accessible directly from the base area with a single 7-minute lift ride."

The iconic double chair has long held a special place in the hearts of freeriders everywhere. The lift stood strong for 41 years, until it was replaced at the end of the 2020 season with a new Leitner Poma fixed-grip double. Not wanting to spoil anyone's quality chairlift time, the new chair was kept at the same capacity as its predecessor (1,200 skiers per hour).

"The Pali Lift and terrain work so well, we didn’t want to mess with that little chunk of paradise. Looking back to 1978, I think Jon Reveal, Bob Maynard and John Rutter knew what they were doing when they built Pali," said Arapahoe Basin COO Al Henceroth at the time of the replacement. Per usual, the beloved industry veteran was spot on. The casual speed of the lift serves as a perfect counterpart to the steep, technical and downright fantastic terrain. You can't rush greatness, as they say.

In our opinion, this is one of the factors that make Pali one of, if not the best, double chairs in America. New infrastructure can be great, but in the case of this lift, keeping it as is regarding capacity helps to preserve the terrain. Those first couple of hundred skiers up on a powder day aren't fighting for elbow room to secure their fabled stash. Above all, slower lift time forces you to pause, which is something that the constant quest for clips can easily erode in this day and age.

Another key factor contributing to Pali's notoriety is the diverse terrain, from lift line chutes to the double fall line of The Spine and the fantastic gladed runs in The Alleys. These areas attract the best of the best and are equally as fun as they are challenging. Look closely and you'll often see pro skiers like Tanner Rainville and Zach Ryan charging off Plack Rock (iykyk) or parking wind buff turns from the cornice down.

Pali's combination of open steeps, glades and cliffs makes it perhaps the best two-seater in America

But perhaps the best reason of Pali's immutable glory lies in the ever-present chalky snow conditions. At 12,000 feet above sea level, the weather can be downright diabolical and the wind, unforgiving. This means that you won't find an abundance of powder days here. However, you'll never find Sierra Cement or frozen rain-drizzled snow.

What you will find is wonderful, edible chalk as far as the eye can see. It's the perfect snow for fast, fall line skiing, like flying over a layer of wet cement that's just soft enough to get your skis into. If you've ridden it, you know it. There's simply nothing like it.

And while this winter has been lackluster in Colorado, there are signs of hope to be had. Pali opening is one of them. Be sure to check out A-Basin's current conditions and terrain status before heading up. We'll see you on the hill!