Aspen Snowmass to Begin $80 Million Infrastructure Investments this Summer

Featured Image: Jake Wheeler, Courtesy of Aspen Skiing Company

Aspen Skiing Company, the ownership group behind the legendary four ski resorts of the Roaring Fork Valley, has announced that it will be implementing several serious upgrades at Snowmass Mountain this summer. From dining area renovations to lift replacements and more, the total cost of these improvements is around $80 million. What kind of ski area infrastructure does that much money get you? Let’s dive in.

Snowmass is often overlooked when compared to its siblings, Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands. Buttermilk is the home of the X Games. Aspen Mountain is notably the pride and joy of the town, and Aspen Highlands boasts some of the best steeps around, not to mention the infamous Highlands Bowl.

That being said, Snowmass is a bonafide FREESKIER favorite, and perhaps the most underrated resort we’ve ever encountered. The mountain boasts an incredible terrain park, blissful groomers, stellar freeride terrain off the Cirque, a lack of lift lines, killer dining options and more. Not to mention a world-class bike park. Many of these features are going to (somehow) get even better after this summer with the new infrastructure investments.

Lifts Upgrades

Aspen Skiing Co. aims to install two new lifts at Snowmass during summer 2025. The first will be a new high-speed 6-pack lift that will replace the old four-person Elk Camp Chair. The lift will drastically reduce wait times for those looking to access popular terrain like Gunners View or the Burnt Mountain Glades. The Elk Camp chair also services the Snowmass Bike Park. The new lift will load more bikes and increase capacity. “This lift represents a major investment in the Snowmass Bike Park operations as it will almost double the capacity of bike haul,” the official press release reads.

The second lift at Snowmass to receive a major overhaul this summer will be the legendary Cirque Lift. The iconic lift pulls skiers to 12,500 feet above sea level, accessing some truly incredible freeride terrain through the Cirque Cornice Gate. Runs like Cirque Headwall, AMF, Gowdy’s and KT Gully have served as proving grounds for hundreds of up-and-coming skiers.

If you have yet to check The Cirque at Snowmass off your bucket list, next winter is the time to do so. The old lift will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art T-Bar lift, cutting down wait times by moving from a single rider system to a two rider system.

The Cirque at Snowmass holds some of the most slept on terrain in Colorado

“The areas of terrain served by [the Elk Camp and Cirque] lifts are some of the most popular on our mountain,” said Susan Cross, Mountain Manager at Snowmass. “These updates allow for guests to more smoothly access Snowmass’ classic wide-open slopes and sweeping vistas at Elk Camp, and the incredible variety of high-alpine terrain we have off The Cirque.”

Dining Rennovations

Aside from lift upgrades, Snowmass will be renovating several dining locations, with the primary remodels taking place at Ullrhof and the Elk Camp restaurant. The iconic 56-year-old wooden walls of the vintage Ullrhof building will be torn down and fully rebuilt, likely to be reopened for winter 2026-27. The new restaurant will seat over 500 people and be completely electric; the first on-mountain restaurant of its kind at Aspen Snowmass.

Anyone who has had a shake and burger on the deck of Ullrhof knows this is a somber goodbye, but the new building will be a dramatic improvement in many ways, and a necessary step forward for the resort.

The Elk Camp restaurant remodel will be a smaller yet detailed endeavor. Construction is currently waiting for approval from the Town of Snowmass Village.

Renderings of the new Snowmass Ullrhof Restaurant, set to open winter 2026/27

Forest Health Projects

Aspen Skiing Co. has a close relationship with the National Forest Service, as the ski resorts lease land from White River National Forest in order to operate. “Critical forest health and safety projects are also planned across all four mountains, with a focus on improving wildlife habitats, reducing wildfire risks, and maintaining healthy ecosystems,” read the press release. “These glading projects are not only critical for creating healthier forests, but also provide a better and safer skiing experience.”

Thinning gladed terrain is hard work, but necessary to the vitality of both the forest and the ski area. “These projects will take place on roughly 40 acres in various locations, including Alpine Springs at Snowmass, Temerity on Highlands, and Hero’s on Aspen Mountain, where glading will be completed after three seasons of work on the new terrain expansion.”

It will be a busy and productive summer in Pitkin County, but with a lot of calculated and beneficial improvements in the near future, Snowmass is going to continue being a top-tier mountain to make turns at in the coming years.

“It is impressive to see this level of investment at Snowmass,” said Monte Lutterman, Mountain Resorts & Recreation Special Uses Supervisor for the Aspen–Sopris Ranger District. “I believe visitors will genuinely benefit from these improvements for decades to come.”