The improvements are set to create a “completely new arrival experience” for guests.
Aspen Skiing Co. officials have announced a huge makeover for the popular ski and snowboard area of Buttermilk, with new and remodelled facilities in store for the base of the slopes this summer.
The old facility at the centre of the base, which is known as “the green building”, will be torn down and replaced with a single-story, 9,300-square-foot structure that will be 100% electric and will contain a ticket office, ski school, ski and snowboard rentals, and public bathrooms.
In an interview with the Aspen Times, Aspen Skiing Co. president and CEO Mike Kaplan said: “It’s a huge deal, our investment in Buttermilk that’s coming up. We’re going to greatly improve Bumps. We’re going to greatly improve the rental, ticketing shop experience.”
Bumps is the restaurant found at the base of Buttermilk that serves up food to hungry skiers and refreshments for the après ski crowd. The area of Buttermilk itself is a low altitude ski area popular with families but is also home to the terrain park used in the extreme sports competition Winter X Games.
Aspen Ski Co. spent $10 million on a kids’ centre in 2014 after works to the area were initially proposed in 2013 by Pitkin County commissioner, but this new makeover will vastly enhance the facilities for snowsports enthusiasts.
The town of Aspen is considered the ultimate après ski location certainly in the US, possibly the world. It has endless dining and nightlife options, a lot of them quite high-end. Its stellar reputation for stylish snowsports holidays makes it popular with celebrities, and the name of the resort alone has a wealth of pedigree.
As far as skiing is concerned, it has excellent intermediate and advanced ski terrain, and one lift ticket gives you access to four ski areas. However, the four skiable areas of Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass are notoriously expensive.
Aspen Ski Co. has applied to get building permits so it can start the work soon after the lifts close in April this year. The plan is to have the work completed by opening day for the 2022-23 season.