The Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) which runs four ski areas around Aspen says it has been spending over $26 million [around £16.5 million] on on-mountain improvements ahead of the coming season.
It's the latest in a $164 million [£102 million] spend over the past eight years.
Although some of the new money is going on a new high-speed quad lift at the smallest of those four areas, Buttermilk, the lion's share of it is going on two spectacular mountain restaurants.
Firstly there's a complete remodel of the Merry-Go-Round restaurant at Aspen Highlands which is due to open this winter and secondly the money is going towards the first phase of the still more impressive new Elk Camp Restaurant at Snowmass.
During the previous eight seasons, ASC has invested over in
With four mountains on one lift ticket - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk, villages with rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as these latest improvements, there are more reasons than ever to visit Aspen/Snowmass.
The Merry Go Round restaurant, situated mid-mountain at Aspen Highlands, has begun a $6 million [£3.7 million] remodel, due to be completed for opening day of Aspen Highlands on December 10th 2011.
The 'duct tape chic' restaurant will maintain its relaxed, informal atmosphere while benefitting from new interiors, improved amenities and enhanced kitchen facilities. Green materials will be used throughout the refit and the energy efficiency of the entire building significantly improved.
The Merry Go Round walls will preserve history and embrace new technology with framed photos of Highlands skiers past, present and future. Guests will be invited to submit photos for display in digital frames and digital monitors to show off real time information, streaming media and live feeds, like a newly-installed video camera on the Highland Bowl, as well as a photo booth for instant photos.
Construction work on Phase One of Elk Camp at Aspen's largest single ski area, Snowmass, is also underway. The new building will replace Café Suzanne and be located adjacent to the top of the Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass and open for the 2012/13 season.
The $15 million [£9.4 million] project will provide a restaurant with seating for up to 300 guests and include summer and evening event space. The project is scheduled to be LEED Certified and will implement advanced heating systems with other green
materials to beat local energy codes by an estimated 30 per cent.
Elk Camp will be ASC's fifth LEED certified building, following closely on the heels of Sam's Restaurant (Gold) and Holiday House (Platinum.)