Featured Picture: Jake Wheeler, Courtesy of Aspen Snowboarding Firm
Aspen Snowboarding Firm, the possession group behind the legendary 4 ski resorts of the Roaring Fork Valley, has introduced that will probably be implementing a number of critical upgrades at Snowmass Mountain this summer time. From eating space renovations to carry replacements and extra, the full value of those enhancements is round $80 million. What sort of ski space infrastructure does that a lot cash get you? Let’s dive in.
Snowmass is commonly ignored when in comparison with its siblings, Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands. Buttermilk is the house of the X Video games. Aspen Mountain is notably the delight and pleasure of the city, and Aspen Highlands boasts among the finest steeps round, to not point out the notorious Highlands Bowl.
That being mentioned, Snowmass is a bonafide FREESKIER favourite, and maybe essentially the most underrated resort we’ve ever encountered. The mountain boasts an unbelievable terrain park, blissful groomers, stellar freeride terrain off the Cirque, a scarcity of carry traces, killer eating choices and extra. To not point out a world-class bike park. Many of those options are going to (by some means) get even higher after this summer time with the brand new infrastructure investments.
Lifts Upgrades
Aspen Snowboarding Co. goals to put in two new lifts at Snowmass throughout summer time 2025. The primary will likely be a brand new high-speed 6-pack carry that may substitute the previous four-person Elk Camp Chair. The carry will drastically cut back wait instances for these seeking to entry widespread terrain like Gunners View or the Burnt Mountain Glades. The Elk Camp chair additionally providers the Snowmass Bike Park. The brand new carry will load extra bikes and improve capability. “This carry represents a significant funding within the Snowmass Bike Park operations as it can nearly double the capability of motorbike haul,” the official press launch reads.
The second carry at Snowmass to obtain a significant overhaul this summer time would be the legendary Cirque Elevate. The enduring carry pulls skiers to 12,500 toes above sea degree, accessing some actually unbelievable freeride terrain by way of the Cirque Cornice Gate. Runs like Cirque Headwall, AMF, Gowdy’s and KT Gully have served as proving grounds for a whole lot of up-and-coming skiers.
If in case you have but to examine The Cirque at Snowmass off your bucket checklist, subsequent winter is the time to take action. The previous carry will likely be changed with a brand new state-of-the-art T-Bar carry, reducing down wait instances by shifting from a single rider system to a two rider system.
“The areas of terrain served by [the Elk Camp and Cirque] lifts are among the hottest on our mountain,” mentioned Susan Cross, Mountain Supervisor at Snowmass. “These updates enable for friends to extra easily entry Snowmass’ basic wide-open slopes and sweeping vistas at Elk Camp, and the unbelievable number of high-alpine terrain we now have off The Cirque.”
Eating Rennovations
Other than carry upgrades, Snowmass will likely be renovating a number of eating places, with the first remodels going down at Ullrhof and the Elk Camp restaurant. The enduring 56-year-old picket partitions of the classic Ullrhof constructing will likely be torn down and totally rebuilt, prone to be reopened for winter 2026-27. The brand new restaurant will seat over 500 folks and be fully electrical; the primary on-mountain restaurant of its variety at Aspen Snowmass.
Anybody who has had a shake and burger on the deck of Ullrhof is aware of it is a somber goodbye, however the brand new constructing will likely be a dramatic enchancment in some ways, and a vital step ahead for the resort.
The Elk Camp restaurant transform will likely be a smaller but detailed endeavor. Development is at present ready for approval from the City of Snowmass Village.
Forest Well being Tasks
Aspen Snowboarding Co. has a detailed relationship with the Nationwide Forest Service, because the ski resorts lease land from White River Nationwide Forest as a way to function. “Important forest well being and security tasks are additionally deliberate throughout all 4 mountains, with a concentrate on enhancing wildlife habitats, decreasing wildfire dangers, and sustaining wholesome ecosystems,” learn the press launch. “These glading tasks will not be solely important for creating more healthy forests, however additionally present a greater and safer snowboarding expertise.”
Thinning gladed terrain is tough work, however essential to the vitality of each the forest and the ski space. “These tasks will happen on roughly 40 acres in varied places, together with Alpine Springs at Snowmass, Temerity on Highlands, and Hero’s on Aspen Mountain, the place glading will likely be accomplished after three seasons of labor on the brand new terrain growth.”
It will likely be a busy and productive summer time in Pitkin County, however with a whole lot of calculated and helpful enhancements within the close to future, Snowmass goes to proceed being a top-tier mountain to make turns at within the coming years.
“It’s spectacular to see this degree of funding at Snowmass,” mentioned Monte Lutterman, Mountain Resorts & Recreation Particular Makes use of Supervisor for the Aspen–Sopris Ranger District. “I imagine guests will genuinely profit from these enhancements for many years to come back.”
