Arapahoe Basin President Reveals On Podcast Why "Pali" Is Still a Double Chairlift

Professional skier Drew Petersen's new self-titled podcast has been one of the best ski-media shows in recent memory.

Petersen keeps the format simple and intimate, inviting members of the skiing world to join him for a chairlift ride. In the roughly 10 to 15-minute episodes, Petersen asks his guests unique questions about their professions, skiing, and beyond.

Previous podcast guests have included Olympic halfpipe Bronze-medalist Zoe Atkin, POWDER Magazine co-founder Jake Moe, and professional skier and former U.S. Senate Candidate for Utah Caroline Gleich.

The newest episode, which dropped today, February 24, 2026, features Arapahoe Basin Ski Area President & COO (and local celebrity), Alan Henceroth, as the guest.

Petersen and Henceroth ride the famous Pallavicini (Pali) chair and discuss a variety of subjects, including how Arapahoe Basin has changed over the years, the soul and passion that keep it going, and why the ski area chose to upgrade Pali to a fixed-grip double rather than a fancy high-speed chair.

Henceroth, who has been penning the daily Al's Blog for years, is Arapahoe Basin's leader and spiritual figurehead. Henceroth was at the helm of the beloved ski area throughout Alterra Mountain Company's acquisition in 2024, and to this very day.

Tap or click below to watch Henceroth and Petersen chat from "The Center of the Universe", the famous Pali Chair, at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. It's a great time.

Keep reading for a moment that stood out in the podcast (5:00 mark in the video below).

The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.

One moment in the podcast that stood out was when, like many skiers from Colorado, Petersen revealed that the Pali Chair at Arapahoe Basin "shaped" him into the skier he is today.

That's Drew Petersen, the steeps-charging, big mountain-ripping professional skier, mind you.

Henceroth smiles and offers the stats to back up Petersen's bold claim. "This is my favorite chairlift anywhere," says Henceroth. "It's less than seven minutes long, almost 1,400 vertical feet. It's got just the most incredible terrain. This lift would take care of you for the rest of your life."

The Pali chair has been called "The Center of the Universe" because of the challenging terrain it accesses in such a short, efficient chairlift ride, and after skiing myself, it's hard to argue.

Similar to Palisades Tahoe's KT-22, although KT is a detachable quad, the terrain is steep from top to bottom, and the trees are tight in pretty much every direction.

It's a playground for advanced-to-professional skiers.

Arapahoe Basin had the opportunity to upgrade the original Pali chair, built in 1978, with a fancy, high-speed detachable quad, but opted for a simple, slightly shinier double chairlift from Leitner-Poma.

The new Pali opened in December of 2020, and the skiing experience remained almost exactly the same. That's exactly what Henceroth was hoping for, according to his conversation with Petersen.

"Our most ardent A-Basin fans love this (new) lift," Henceroth tells Petersen. "There aren't that many places in skiing where you can just hop on with one person and have a really special ride."

"It doesn't hurt that a fixed-grip lift is less than half the price," Henceroth added with a chuckle.

Pali will remain a throwback lift, of sorts, but Arapahoe Basin is hoping to add a new network of lifts, including two gondolas, in the near future. The Master Development Proposal, which was made public in May of 2025, also includes enhanced snowmaking, new trails, and improved avalanche mitigation on the East Wall.

Go check out Petersen's conversation for a good time and a laugh. Tell 'em POWDER sent you.