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    Colorado, USA · Ikon / Mountain Collective

    Aspen Buttermilk

    469 acres, 44 runs near Aspen. Winter X Games venue, beginner-friendly terrain, Ikon Pass access.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    14 Dec 2025
    Closes
    5 Apr 2026
    Days open
    112
    Annual snow
    17ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Aspen Buttermilk's summit reaches 9,902 feet, dropping 2,031 vertical feet to a base at 7,868 feet across 44 runs spread over 469 acres near Aspen, Colorado. Terrain splits 39 per cent intermediate, 35 per cent beginner, 21 per cent advanced and 5 per cent expert. Average annual snowfall runs to roughly 210 inches. The resort carries Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective affiliation. Four lifts, including three quad chairs and one double chair, serve the mountain alongside four surface lifts.

    Buttermilk serves as the beginner-friendly counterpart within the four-mountain Aspen Skiing Company portfolio, offering considerably gentler terrain than its sister mountains, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass. Its role as the host of the Winter X Games has also given Buttermilk an unexpected international profile for a mountain built primarily around learning terrain.

    Friedl Pfeifer, the Austrian ski instructor and racing champion who co-founded the Aspen Skiing Company in 1946, sold his interest in the company in 1958 and turned his attention to developing Buttermilk Mountain that same year, giving Aspen its dedicated beginner-focused ski area. Buttermilk subsequently joined the broader Aspen Skiing Company portfolio alongside Aspen Mountain, Highlands and, later, Snowmass.

    Aspen Skiing Company's ownership has remained with the Crown family of Illinois since the mid-1980s, following the company's 1977 sale to Twentieth Century Fox and subsequent 1985 transition. Buttermilk continues to operate as the accessible, learning-focused member of the Aspen four-mountain family. Adult daily tickets run from 189 to 259 US dollars, matching pricing across all four Aspen Skiing Company mountains.

    2,031ft
    Vertical
    44
    Runs
    469 acres
    Skiable
    17ft
    Annual snow
    Ikon / Mountain Collective
    Pass
    The Terrain

    44 runs across 469 acres skiable

    Aspen Buttermilk spreads 44 runs across 469 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 39%, with 15 beginner runs to find your feet and 11 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    44
    runs
    44 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner15 runs · 35%
    Intermediate17 runs · 39%
    Advanced9 runs · 21%
    Expert2 runs · 5%
    Time it right

    When to visit Aspen Buttermilk

    The 2025-26 season at Aspen Buttermilk ran from 14 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly sixteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 210 inches. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather and terrain park build schedules.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Buttermilk's beginner-and-intermediate-weighted terrain. As an Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective resort, Buttermilk draws families and beginner skiers specifically seeking gentler terrain than neighbouring Aspen Mountain, alongside visitors drawn by the mountain's Winter X Games hosting history.

    Buttermilk's terrain parks and beginner-focused infrastructure continue to support strong family and learn-to-ski visitation throughout the season. School holiday periods bring substantial demand given the mountain's accessible terrain profile within the broader Aspen area. Weekend crowds draw from across the four-mountain Aspen Skiing Company visitor base.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations and the Winter X Games is not confirmed in available resort information. Under continued Crown family ownership, Buttermilk continues building on nearly seven decades of history since Friedl Pfeifer's 1958 development of the mountain. Its role as Aspen's dedicated learning mountain remains central to its seasonal identity.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    14 Dec 2025
    Opens
    5 Apr 2026
    Closes
    112
    Days open
    17 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Aspen Buttermilk, and where to stay

    Aspen Buttermilk sits near Aspen, Colorado, with a base elevation of 7,868 feet and a summit at 9,902 feet across a 2,031-foot vertical drop over 469 acres. This setting places Buttermilk within the broader Aspen ski area cluster alongside Aspen Mountain, Highlands and Snowmass.

    Aspen itself offers extensive luxury lodging, dining and shopping within a short drive of Buttermilk, giving visitors access to the town's considerable amenities regardless of which of the four mountains they choose to ski. The broader Roaring Fork Valley surrounds the area with additional recreation.

    Colorado State Highway 82 provides access to Buttermilk from Aspen and the broader region. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled highway is regularly maintained given the area's status as a major ski destination. Free shuttle services connect Buttermilk to downtown Aspen and the other three mountains.

    Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, within a short drive, offers direct flights from numerous major US cities, making Buttermilk and the broader Aspen area genuinely accessible for fly-in visitors from across the country.

    Where to stay

    Search all stays →

    Hotels and lodges near Aspen Buttermilk, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

    View all news →
    FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032

    FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032

    The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.

    4 Sept 2026
    Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

    Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

    Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.

    4 Sept 2026
    Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

    Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

    Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.

    2 Sept 2026
    Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

    Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

    We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.

    1 Sept 2026
    Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028

    Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028

    Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.

    31 Aug 2026
    Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured

    Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured

    An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.

    28 Aug 2026
    Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do

    Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do

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    27 Aug 2026
    Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September

    Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September

    Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.

    26 Aug 2026

    Aspen Buttermilk Lift Tickets

    Aspen Buttermilk lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Aspen Buttermilk closed on Apr 5, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$142, with peak rates up to US$259.

    Ikon / Mountain Collective10 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult Daily Ticket

    US$189up to US$259 peak

    Full-day access to all four Aspen Snowmass mountains including Buttermilk, home of the Winter X Games. Experience world-class terrain parks, beginner-friendly slopes, and access to Aspen Mountain, Highlands, and Snowmass.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Teen Daily Ticket

    US$169up to US$219 peak

    Discounted access for teens to all four Aspen Snowmass mountains. Enjoy Buttermilk's renowned terrain parks, X Games venues, and beginner-friendly terrain plus three other world-class mountains.

    Buy pass
    Child 7–12

    Child Daily Ticket

    US$169up to US$219 peak

    Child-friendly lift tickets for Aspen Snowmass's four mountains. Buttermilk offers excellent learning terrain and ski school programs, plus access to Aspen's legendary skiing.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–99

    Senior Daily Ticket

    US$169up to US$219 peak

    Senior discounted daily lift access to all four Aspen Snowmass mountains. Enjoy Buttermilk's gentle terrain and three other world-class Colorado ski areas.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–6

    Kids 6 & Under Free

    Free

    Complimentary lift access for children 6 and under at all four Aspen Snowmass mountains. Free skiing with proof of age at Buttermilk and Aspen's world-class terrain.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Military Daily Ticket

    US$142up to US$194 peak

    25% discount for active duty, retired military and dependents at all Aspen Snowmass mountains. Must present valid military ID at ticket office.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    4-Day Lift Ticket

    US$676up to US$916 peak

    Four-day access to all Aspen Snowmass mountains with significant per-day savings. Valid for 10 days from start date, perfect for Aspen ski vacations.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    7-Day Lift Ticket

    US$1,183up to US$1,603 peak

    Seven-day access to all Aspen Snowmass mountains including Buttermilk's X Games terrain. Maximum savings for extended Aspen ski vacations.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 18–64

    Ikon Pass Access

    US$1,009up to US$1,109 peak

    Aspen Snowmass is included with Ikon Pass providing 7 days of access to all four mountains including Buttermilk. Reservations required, includes 70+ destinations worldwide.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Mountain Collective Access

    US$579up to US$649 peak

    Mountain Collective Pass provides 2 days at Aspen Snowmass including Buttermilk, with 50% off additional days. No blackout dates at 23 destinations worldwide.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Aspen Buttermilk day pass cost?+
    Aspen Buttermilk day passes range from US$142 to US$259 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Aspen Buttermilk lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Aspen Buttermilk lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Aspen Buttermilk, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Aspen Buttermilk lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Aspen Buttermilk - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Aspen Buttermilk lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Aspen Buttermilk offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Aspen Buttermilk directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Aspen Buttermilk.

    More Aspen Buttermilk intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.