Aspen Snowmass expands on-mountain access for non-skiers

On a bluebird day this week, the lift line for Snowmass’ Village Express looked a little different.

Between the colorful jumble of snowboards and skis, there were a number of every day shoes mixed into the shuffle.

Those shoes belonged to foot passengers waiting to load the lift up to Sam’s, where Aspen Snowmass now offers the opportunity for those who don’t ski or snowboard to ride up and have lunch before downloading via the same Village Express.

Taking the Coney Express up to The Cabin for lunch is also an option for those looking to dine with no skiing required.

“This initiative was driven by our desire to make more of the mountain experience accessible to a broader audience,” Tim Baldwin, vice president of Food & Beverage for Aspen Skiing Company, said. “Until now, The Cabin and Sam’s have only been accessible to skiers and snowboarders, and we saw an opportunity to open these iconic spaces to guests who may not ski or ride but still want to experience Aspen Snowmass in a meaningful way.”

Located at the top of the Village Express lift on Sam’s Knob — at 10,630 feet — Sam’s offers sweeping views and an Italian-inspired menu with specials like a luxurious Wagyu Ragu. The Cabin sits mid-mountain on Snowmass with a cozy Western setting that’s fresh off a renovation and expansion, with a sun-filled extended patio and outdoor grill and bar.

Since Monday, a limited number of foot passengers are now able to book lunch at 11 a.m. at Sam’s or 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at The Cabin, Monday through Friday. Foot passenger lunches will not be offered on weekends or holidays.

Reservations are $130 per person and include both the lift ticket and a $95 credit toward the food bill per person. Reservations can be made at exploretock.com/group/aspen-snowmass?businessGroupId=22719&latlng=39.7392358%2C-104.990251.

“As with many of our experiences, we’ll be closely monitoring guest interest and feedback and will re-evaluate as needed as we continue to fine-tune our offerings throughout the season,” Baldwin said. “This is a new offering for us, and we will evaluate guest interest and overall success as we look ahead to future seasons.”

According to Baldwin, foot passenger access is capped at 30 people per day at Sam’s and 25 people per day at The Cabin, depending on availability, in order to ensure normal ski operations and overall guest experience isn’t impacted.

He also confirmed that foot passenger reservations are completely different from skiing or snowboarding on the mountain. Guests with skis or snowboards are not able to exit their skis to ride the lift as a foot passenger without a reservation.

“This structure allows us to thoughtfully manage capacity and maintain a positive experience for both skiers and non-skiers,” he said.

Foot passengers who sign up for lunch must be able to walk unassisted on snow and uneven slippery surfaces — no exceptions.

Foot passengers will also receive 20% retail at Aspen Collection, with the aim of introducing all guests to more of Aspen One’s brands and create connections between mountain businesses.

“This initiative reflects our broader mission to be more inclusive, welcoming, and innovative in how people experience the mountain,” Baldwin said. “As we look toward 2026 and beyond, we’re focused on expanding access, evolving the guest experience, and thoughtfully growing our offerings in ways that stay true to the spirit of Aspen Snowmass while welcoming new audiences into the fold.” 

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