Chalet Alpina breaks ground at Aspen Mountain’s historic Lift One base

Chalet Alpina has officially broken ground at Aspen Mountain’s historic Lift One base, marking the start of construction on an envisioned year-round neighborhood that will include timeshares, residences, restaurants, retail and additional amenities.

Irongate Group and Aspen-based real estate development firm HayMax Capital acquired the site in 2015, coordinating with the city of Aspen and Aspen Skiing Company for a 2018 master plan, according to a press release. The project was ultimately passed by Aspen voters in 2019 by only 26 votes, with 1,555 voting in favor and 1,529 voting against. 

“This groundbreaking represents more than two decades of vision, persistence and collaboration, beginning with those who helped shape Lift One before us,” Michael Brown, co-founder and principal of HayMax Capital, said in the release. “When we became involved, I believed there had to be a way to bring the lift back down the mountain and reconnect it with town. … We believe Chalet Alpina and the broader Lift One neighborhood will add something truly special to Aspen Mountain while honoring its history and bringing renewed energy to this important part of town.”

In September 2025, initial construction began with a new water main installed at the top of South Aspen Street and associated grading work, precursors to the new cul-de-sac that will “define” the top of South Aspen Street, according to previous reporting by The Aspen Times. 

Now, with construction fully underway, the completion is anticipated for 2030. 

The redevelopment will center around a new ski lift at Dean Street, located approximately 500 feet closer to town than the historic Lift 1A, which saw its removal begin in July — although the base terminal, which dates to 1947, will remain on site, the release confirms.

The project will also provide two acres of new park space, public lockers, dedicated bike and pedestrian access on Dean Street and enhancements to this street that include public infrastructure designed to transform the base into a walkable, year-round connector between Aspen and its namesake mountain.

The project will also restore and reposition several historic structures, including the two historic Skiers Chalet buildings — one of which will be home to a new Aspen Ski History Museum, operated by the Aspen Historical Society, and guest services office, operated by Aspen Skiing Company. The Skiers Chalet Restaurant is promised to be reopened “after being dormant for more than 20 years,” the release adds.

Chalet Alpina itself will be a ski-in, ski-out resort, residential and membership destination with 26 fully serviced, shared-ownership two-, three- and four-bedroom resort residences, in addition to six full-ownership four- and five-bedroom private mountain homes and a collection of luxury hospitality, wellness, culinary and social amenities and services.

“With some of my earliest memories being of skiing Aspen Mountain with my family, this project has always been personal for me,” Jason Grosfeld, chairman and CEO of Irongate Group, said in the release. “Chalet Alpina is more than a resort; it represents the next chapter for one of the most significant sites in this town’s history and will anchor the Lift One neighborhood as the ultimate mountain base area destination in North America.”

Resort residences pricing starts below $3 million, with private mountain homes priced from the mid-$40 million range.