Aspen in Colorado will invest over $26 million (£16.5 million) in on-mountain improvements for next winter including a new high-speed quad lift at Buttermilk, a complete remodel of the Merry-Go-Round restaurant on Aspen Highlands and the first phase of the new Elk Camp Restaurant at Snowmass.
The new quad chairlift at Tiehack on Buttermilk, built by Leitner Poma, will replace both the Eagle Hill and the Upper Tiehack lifts, cutting the combined ride time from 18 minutes to just under seven minutes. Construction began in spring on the $7 million [£4.4 million] Tiehack Express project, with completion anticipated in December 2011.
Buttermilk's summer trail crew is currently cleaning up the gladed terrain on the Tiehack side of the mountain with the intention of breathing new life into this underutilized area. The rolling, gladed and groomed terrain is ideal for skiers and riders looking for single black trails off the beaten track.
During the past eight seasons, ASC has invested over $164 million [£102 million] in Aspen/Snowmass adding 11 new lifts including two new gondolas and, among pther things, the new Snowmass base village, the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Centre, a complete interior remodel of The Little Nell hotel, the launch of four new restaurants and the opening of new ski terrain.
International visitors accounted for more than 20 per cent of winter business to Aspen/Snowmass in the 2010/11 season, accessing the resort's four ski mountains on one lift ticket - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk.
