Snowmass Base Village
The resort out here making the most news this winter isn’t Aspen! Snowmass Ski Area and the new Base Village have captured the spotlight with a host of new development and on-mountain amenities. The 10-year project fully realizes the vision partially developed in 2004 but halted by the great recession in 2008. On Mountain improvements for seasoned skiers such as the super light weight Sheer bliss quad and the new High Alpine quad have opened up access to The Cirque and the Wall like never before. Aspen Snowmass know how to deliver the goods to all levels of skiers.
Even Gwyn’s High Alpine restaurant has had more than a little work done. All in the name of refreshing the way for new generations.
The Snowmass Legacy – A New Chapter
It is all happening now at Base Village.
Only nine miles down the road from Aspen or a quick 20 minute free bus ride, Snowmass Mountain is as big as Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk put together and has always appealed to families with it’s excellent value and emphasis on all-ages fun. The mountain boasts a wide array of terrain for all abilities, including the wide-open cruisers at Elk Camp and Big Burn and the always-rewarding extreme terrain of Hanging Valley Wall. But for many years the resort became mired in on-again, off-again attempts at renovations and expansion. It’s been a resort town with no central focal point. That’s all set to change in a big way.
Snowmass Base Village is a collaboration between East West Partners, Aspen Skiing Company and KSL Capital, all of whom are based in Colorado. The goal is to complete Fritz Benedict’s original master plan crafted back in 1967. Benedict, a celebrated Aspen architect and visionary, viewed Snowmass Ski Area as the ultimate ski-in, ski-out resort anchored by a pedestrian village at the base. The three partners have committed $600 million towards this effort and it’s currently the largest family-oriented mountain resort development in North America.
Update: Limelight construction from Snowmass Base Village on Vimeo.
Builders are hard at work as we speak on the current phase of construction including the new 99-room ski-in, ski-out Limelight Hotel and residences. In fact, their goal is to have the hotel ready for guests when the mountain opens late this November! That’s just the beginning, however. There will be a new public events plaza with an ice-skating rink, new restaurants (including a new Creperie), new bars and a community center.
New Limelight Hotel
The new Limelight Hotel will have an official grand opening on December 15th and features an indoor/outdoor lounge area, a kids game room, a fitness center, a five-story indoor climbing wall that the public can use, and spa pools right on site. Paired up with the hotel are the Limelight Residences, eleven free market ownership units and the exclusive Snowmass Mountain Club. Members get private access to on-mountain parking, lockers and their own lounge area.
Other parts of the development Lumin, three-private access residences with contemporary interiors and One Snowmass, 41 brand-new condominiums spread across two buildings connected by a shmantzy pants signature glass walkway.
Come Visit
What does this all mean for guests visiting Snowmass this winter? It means that its time to revisit Snowmass explore the new village and checkout the new restaurants as well as taking some laps in Powerline glades! Those of you who have enjoyed winter in Aspen/Snowmass might just like what you see well enough to take the plunge and purchase a place of your own. There is a good range of inventory in Snowmass Village from the swanky new development to classic ski condos in need of a new owner. Single family home prices have seen a full recovery and new homes are replacing the 1970’s chalets.
Call lifestyle guru Gareth 970 309 7649.