The Overview
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
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 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 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
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 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
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
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
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 Webcams
4 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Aspen Buttermilk's live webcams
Check live conditions across Aspen Buttermilk with 4 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Buttermilk Snow Stake9,698ft
- Experience winter's transformation at the home of ESPN's X Games with this high-elevation Aspen Buttermilk webcam positioned at 2956 meters. Monitor real-time snow accumulation as storms blanket this legendary venue with fresh powder across its 470 acres of diverse terrain. This Buttermilk webcam provides crucial data for planning your perfect day, showing both 24-hour and continuous storm totals that help you time your visit to Aspen's most accessible mountain. Essential for families and freestyle athletes alike, this live snow cam reveals why Buttermilk remains a cornerstone of the Aspen experience.
- Buttermilk 360 Roundshot9,711ft
- Experience the complete Aspen valley panorama through this commanding Aspen Buttermilk webcam delivering breathtaking 360-degree views from 2960 meters elevation. Watch changing conditions unfold in real-time while taking in spectacular vistas of Pyramid Peak and the iconic Maroon Bells. Essential for assessing visibility across Buttermilk's legendary terrain parks and perfectly groomed learning areas, this Aspen Buttermilk live cam provides the complete picture before heading out to explore the resort's 44 trails that have been welcoming families for decades.
- Aspen Power of Four9,698ft
- Discover the ultimate perspective on Aspen's interconnected skiing paradise through this exclusive Buttermilk webcam showcasing the famous 'Power of Four' view at 2956 meters elevation. Perfect for comparing conditions across all four Aspen resorts - Buttermilk, Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, and Aspen Highlands - in one comprehensive glance. Watch how weather systems move through the entire Roaring Fork Valley with this strategic Aspen Buttermilk web cam, offering unparalleled planning insights for your multi-mountain Aspen adventure. This live snow cam provides the intelligence needed to maximize your four-mountain experience.
- Summit Express Line7,884ft
- Monitor lift operations and mountain access with this strategically positioned Buttermilk webcams feed at 2403 meters elevation. This essential Aspen Buttermilk webcam provides real-time views of the Summit Express lift operations and adjacent terrain, showing current queue lengths and loading conditions. Perfect for timing your morning ascent to the mountain's 3,018-meter summit, this live cam helps maximize your time on Aspen Buttermilk's world-class slopes rather than waiting in line. Essential intelligence for families planning their day at this welcoming resort that serves as the perfect introduction to Aspen skiing.
Aspen Buttermilk snow cams FAQ
How often do Aspen Buttermilk snow cams update?
All Aspen Buttermilk snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Aspen Buttermilk.
Which Aspen Buttermilk webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Buttermilk 360 Roundshot webcam at 2,960m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Aspen Buttermilk webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Aspen Buttermilk lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Aspen Buttermilk snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Aspen Buttermilk snow cams?
Check Aspen Buttermilk webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Aspen Buttermilk lift tickets?
Use our Aspen Buttermilk webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Aspen Buttermilk webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Aspen Buttermilk snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Aspen Buttermilk intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.