Snowmass Ski Resort Sees Summer of Major Infrastructure Projects
Along with the lifts, Aspen Skiing Company will add an outdoor, covered deck to the Elk Camp Restaurant, increasing the restaurant’s capacity by 120 seats, according to Cross. The deck will be completed by the beginning of the 2025–26 ski season.
The Ullrhof will also undergo a remodel. The reconstruction of the 58-year-old building will increase seating capacity from 325 to a maximum of 690, including indoor and outdoor seating, in a three-story "modern mountain" design. The restaurant, which has already been demolished as SkiCo prepares to rebuild, is set to reopen for the 2026–27 winter season.
SkiCo announced in April that its summer infrastructure investments will total nearly $80 million.
Despite on-mountain construction this summer, most activities will continue as usual.
To account for a shorter lift-operated upper-mountain bike season, the mountain will offer $200 summer bike passes instead of the usual $364, according to Cross. The existing Elk Camp Lift will operate for bikes from June 21 to August 4, instead of the usual late-September closure, allowing crews to begin replacement work.
Season pass holders can purchase a summer pass for $100.
Sunset Tuesdays, the popular Snowmass downhill bike race series, will continue this summer with free Elk Camp Gondola access from 5 to 8 p.m. It will be joined by the new “Friday Afternoon Club,” a live music event on the Elk Camp Restaurant deck featuring gondola access to food and drink specials until 6 p.m., according to Cross.
On regular days, the gondola will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., switching to a Friday through Sunday schedule through September.
Beyond lift access for biking, the gondola also provides entry to the “Coaster,” a two-seater rail ride that travels a mile uphill before descending at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour.
It also gives access to a climbing wall, fishing pond, disc golf course, and seven zip lines within the “Lost Forest,” the area surrounding the gondola.
The crown jewel of the forest might be Snowmass’ Challenge Course, a high ropes course featuring five routes of varying difficulty. Its highest point reaches 35 feet, according to Mark Mueller, Challenge Course Recreation Guide.
Before the lifts start turning on June 21 for the summer season, crews will complete the ground-level construction of the future Elk Camp Lift terminal, according to Cross.
By: Skylar Stark-RagsdaleI The Aspen Times I June 4, 2025