Now is the Time
With the Rockies’ home opener on April 4, Arapahoe Basin spinning lifts into early June, and golf courses waking up for spring, Colorado’s 9-9-9 is officially in play. May is your chance to pull off nine ski runs, nine holes of golf, and nine innings of baseball in a single, glorious day. Start planning now—and of course, check the weather; spring storms are as common as Subarus around here. But because A-Basin is the only ski mountain still open, I-70 traffic should be a breeze.
Start with Skiing
This is your longest leg, both in time and distance, so knock it out early. Be on the road before sunrise and aim to be clicking into your skis as the lifts start spinning.
Next Up: Golf
Book an afternoon tee time at a course near Denver, ideally along your route back from the mountains. Willis Case is a solid, convenient option off I-70 that is open to the public.
Ring it in with the Rockies
After all that movement, the baseball game is your victory lap, where you can sit back and let the Rockies do the running around. Grab a cold one, settle into a 6:40 p.m. first pitch, and watch the sunset over the mountains as you close out innings one through nine.
Don’t go it Alone
The 9-9-9 is better with friends. You can hold each other accountable for getting out the door on time and split the drive. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, there’s a version of the 9-9-9 that includes downing nine hot dogs and nine beers along the way (so you might need a DD). Indulge if you want—but it’s not essential to the spirit of the day.
