Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands to open for 2024-25 ski season on Saturday
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
All four Aspen Snowmass ski areas will be open for the season on Saturday with Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands set to start spinning their lifts. Both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass opened for the season on Nov. 23, up from their original Nov. 28 opening date due to favorable snow conditions.
Highlands will open all five lifts and more than 800 acres of terrain on Saturday, including a significant portion of the Highland Bowl, according to an Aspen Skiing Company news release.
Buttermilk will open all lifts and 450 acres of terrain. Buttermilk will also celebrate its opening day tradition, Chocolate Day, with chocolate treat offerings across the mountain all day, including hot chocolate and s’mores at the base starting at 3 p.m.
On dining
At Highlands, Merry-Go-Round and Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro will open for full service on Saturday.
At Buttermilk, Buttermilk Mountain Lodge will open 8 a.m. Saturday with breakfast service and The Cliffhouse will be open for regular lunch service. To celebrate opening, Buttermilk Mountain Lodge’s Backyard Bar will host music and après drink specials from 2–4:30 p.m.
On uphilling
Buttermilk’s main route and Tiehack route are currently open for uphilling, and the West Buttermilk route will open on Saturday. The Cliffhouse will host its first Uphill Breakfast Club, sponsored by the Aspen Chamber to celebrate Wintersköl, from 8:30-10 a.m. Sunday.
Uphill routes at Highlands will be closed on Friday with a designated route opening on Saturday for regular access.
Uphillers are required to have an uphill pass.
On parking
Highlands parking garage will open on Saturday for paid parking. Aspen High School and Aspen Middle School will offer paid parking as part of a school activities fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday, and other weekends occasionally throughout the winter season.
New this winter, Aspen Snowmass has an updated parking system at the Highlands and Two Creeks parking lots. Pay for parking by phone with a QR code or at on-site kiosks.
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