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Aspen Snowmass is gearing up for one of its most ambitious off-season projects to date, with nearly $80 million in capital improvements set to roll out across all four of its legendary mountains—Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. The comprehensive upgrades, announced April 15 by Aspen Skiing Company, will modernize infrastructure, expand guest capacity, and deepen the resort’s commitment to sustainability and mountain stewardship.
“This is a huge summer ahead for on-mountain developments here at Aspen Snowmass,” said Geoff Buchheister, CEO of Aspen Skiing Company. “These projects support the continued longevity of our business and our legacy of delivering world-class adventures.”
New Lifts to Boost Bike and Ski Access
At the top of the list are two major lift upgrades. A high-speed six-pack chairlift will replace the Elk Camp quad, a key move that’s expected to nearly double the bike upload capacity at Snowmass Bike Park while easing lift lines during winter.
In the alpine zone, the existing Cirque platter lift—one of the highest lifts in North America—will be replaced by a new Cirque T-bar, doubling capacity to better serve Snowmass’ high-elevation terrain.
“These areas are among the most popular on the mountain,” said Snowmass mountain manager Susan Cross. “These lift upgrades will provide smoother access to Snowmass’ signature terrain, from Elk Camp’s wide-open slopes to the Cirque’s breathtaking alpine lines.”
Modern Mountain Dining: Ullrhof Rebuilt, Elk Camp Expanded
The 56-year-old Ullrhof restaurant will be entirely dismantled and rebuilt into a modern, 500-seat facility—twice the current capacity—and will be Aspen Snowmass’ first fully electric on-mountain dining venue.
Meanwhile, the Elk Camp restaurant is slated for expansion—pending municipal approval—including 120 additional outdoor seats and a year-round covered umbrella dining area.
Snowmaking, Sustainability, and Forest Health
All four mountains will benefit from snowmaking system upgrades that prioritize energy efficiency and reliability. The upgrades include automation, new technology, and extended coverage into higher elevations—ensuring better early- and late-season snow conditions.
Aspen Snowmass is also advancing forest health initiatives across 40 acres of terrain, including wildfire mitigation, ecosystem restoration, and improved glading for tree skiing. These efforts include finishing the Hero’s expansion on Aspen Mountain, aimed at enhancing both the skier experience and wildlife habitat.
The U.S. Forest Service, particularly the White River National Forest team, is partnering closely with Aspen Skiing Company on these projects.
“It is impressive to see this level of investment at Snowmass,” said Monte Lutterman, mountain resorts and recreation special uses supervisor for the Aspen – Sopris Ranger District. “I believe visitors will genuinely benefit from these improvements for decades to come.”
Looking Ahead
Aspen Snowmass‘ investment not only reinforces its commitment to delivering premium guest experiences year-round but also reflects the evolving demands of modern mountain recreation—from increased lift capacity for bikers and skiers, to environmentally responsible dining and snowmaking, to long-term forest management. The summer of 2025 will be a season of transformation—above and below the snow line.
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