Buttermilk Ski Resort is known for its wide-open runs, gentle terrain, and welcoming atmosphere. It is a favorite for beginners and families, with perfectly groomed slopes that build confidence fast. Its terrain park, where the Winter X Games are held, is number one in the country, making it a go-to for freestyle skiers and riders seeking progression and fun.
About Buttermilk
Buttermilk Ski Resort is thoughtfully laid out to cater to a variety of ability levels, with long, rolling green and blue runs perfect for cruising and building skills. Beginners love the dedicated learning areas and quality ski lessons, while intermediates enjoy the uncrowded groomers that invite smooth, confidence-boosting turns.
Beyond its well-known, family-friendly runs, Buttermilk has five incredible terrain parks that are a major draw for those looking to practice their freestyle skills.
- Teasers – A variety of mid-level jumps and obstacles like pyramids and downrails designed to test your flow and control
- Chucks – Roughly 15 elements, including hidden cabins, flat boxes, and tree jibs like logs and stumps to challenge your maneuverability and creativity
- Jacob’s Ladder – 2 medium jumps and a jib garden filled with carefully placed items
- Spruce – Quarter pipes, ledges, cannons, and a flowing pitch with consistent snowfall, thanks to snowmaking efforts, make this a popular spot for more advanced riders
- X-Park – Legendary terrain home to the X Games featuring 20+ large-scale elements, including the iconic Superpipe, which extends more than 22 feet
The Ski Trails
Aspen Buttermilk Ski Resort truly does have something for everyone. With an even distribution of easy (35%), intermediate (39%), and advanced (26%) runs and zero double blacks, the mountain is an absolute playground where you can spend multiple days of your trip doing something new with every visit. Our top picks for Buttermilk ski area trails to try are:
Homestead Road
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Features: Longest trail at Buttermilk, clocking 3 miles. Connects West Buttermilk to Main Buttermilk via a smooth, continuous run.
Savio to Buckskin
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Trail Features: The green/easy Savio trail connects to the intermediate Buckskin trail, offering a scenic, well-groomed descent from the top of West Buttermilk to the base area. Accessed via the West Buttermilk Express lift.
Tiehack Parkway
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Trail Features: Access this trail from the top of the Tiehack Express. This steep black diamond route is often left ungroomed for a more natural, challenging experience as you make the 2,133-foot vertical drop.
Other Features
Buttermilk Ski Resort rounds out its on-mountain experience with welcoming amenities designed for comfort and convenience. Skiers and riders have two excellent dining options: Cliffhouse and Buttermilk Mountain Lodge. At either location, you can enjoy a hearty meal or grab something quick to keep you moving. Warm up indoors on chilly days or soak up the Colorado sunshine with outdoor dining on the sundeck during spring bluebird days.
Cliffhouse
Popular for its made-to-order Mongolian Barbecue cuisine or grab-and-go food, as well as stunning mountain views of the Maroon Creek Valley.
- Hours: Open December – April 9:00 AM – 3:15 PM
- Location: Top of Buttermilk via the Summit Express and Tiehack Express Lifts
Buttermilk Mountain Lodge
Popular base-area restaurant with high-beamed ceilings and excellent views of the X-Park super pipe, this crowd favorite keeps the menu simple, featuring pizza, pasta, burgers, salads, and casual American fare like hotdogs and grilled cheese.
- Hours: Open December – April 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM
- Location: Base of Buttermilk
Getting to the Top
Buttermilk Ski Resort keeps things simple and efficient with five lifts, including three quads, making it easy to explore the entire mountain. The primary route to the top is the West Buttermilk Express, which will take you to the West Summit at 9,900 feet.
To reach the east summit, take Buttermilk Summit Express, a high-speed quad that quickly carries you to 9,720 feet. From there, you’ll have access to the majority of the mountain’s blue and black runs.
Staying Nearby
Staying in a Snowmass vacation rental puts you just minutes from Buttermilk Ski Resort and the other Aspen Snowmass ski areas, including Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass Ski Area. Book your stay with Timberline Condominiums for comfort, convenience, and unbeatable mountain access all winter long. Browse our listings for accommodations that range from cozy studios to expansive family homes.
