PHOTOS: Rail jam sends Buttermilk ski season out on a high note

News | Apr 1, 2024

Austin Colbert

Buttermilk Ski Area called it a season on Sunday, the first of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains to close following the 2023-24 winter. This meant the return of “Bacon Day” at Buttermilk — hopefully you showed up early enough to get in on the sizzle — and a rail jam to finish.

Aspen Highlands will be the next to close, its final day coming up on Sunday, April 7. As is tradition, the annual Highlands closing party, hosted by the Alehouse, will be the place to be on Sunday, after lapping the bowl one final time.

Snowmass will host its final blowout event on Saturday, April 13, with the annual Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party. Take the gondola up to Elk Camp that afternoon — official event hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — for a fun time. And don’t forget the bathing suit for the pond skimming contest.

Gondola foot passes are free after noon on Saturday. While the party is Saturday, Snowmass will still be open for skiing and riding through Sunday, April 14.

Finally, Aspen Mountain is set to close on Sunday, April 21, with its annual dance party from the Sundeck.

Below are photos from Sunday’s rail jam at Buttermilk.

A skier takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.

A snowboarder takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.

A young, caped skier surveys the action during the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.

A sign welcomes guests to “Bacon Day” on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A snowboarder takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
People watch the season-ending rail jam from the “Backyard” of the Buttermilk Mountain Lodge on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The Summit Express chairlift greets the final visitors of its season on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Skiers take the Summit Express chairlift as two of the final visitors of the season on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A snowboarder takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A snowboarder takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Aspen Skiing Co.’s Tyler Lindsay, right, hands out a prize during the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A snowboarder takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A skier takes part in the season-ending rail jam on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Buttermilk Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times