With a chill in the air and snow already on our peaks, we are getting excited for ski season! And there is a flurry of news to share about the upcoming winter, from exciting new restaurants to the return of World Cup racing on Aspen Mountain. Read on and check back for more updates on what’s new in Aspen for winter 2022-23.
FIS World Cup races return to Aspen Mountain
The Audi FIS World Cup returns to Aspen Mountain with Men’s Downhill and Super G races, March 3 – 5, 2023. Aspen last hosted ski racing in 2017 when the World Cup Finals provide the stage for Mikaela Shiffrin to clinch her first overall World Cup title. See the event details here.
Buttermilk renovation
New this season, Buttermilk will unveil a transformed base area complete with a new 9,000+ square-skier services building, a renovated and rebranded Buttermilk Mountain Lodge restaurant (formerly known as Bumps), and an expanded bar and outdoor patio dubbed The Backyard. This major renovation will improve the guest experience as the skier services building will house the ski school, rentals, and lift ticket counter all in one place.
Full Moon Uphill Dinners are back
Full Moon Uphill Dinners return this winter. On Jan. 6, Feb. 5, and March 7, 2023, participants can hike or skin to the top of Buttermilk and enjoy sunset drinks by the firepit, food from The Cliffhouse’s Mongolian Grill, and ski down under the light of the full moon.
New ground transportation
Roaring Fork Express, a new ground transportation provider, has begun service shuttle service from Denver International Airport (DEN) and Eagle County Airport (EGE)to Aspen. Shared-ride shuttle rates start at $80 each way to EGE and $130 each way to DEN. Roaring Fork Express is part of CO West Transportation, which owns and operates a number of other transportation subsidiaries serving Steamboat, Montrose & Telluride, Gunnison & Crested Butte, and other communities in Colorado along with Bishop & Mammoth Lakes in California.
More air service into Aspen Airport
Airlines that service Aspen/Pitkin County Airport have published their winter 2022-23 schedules, and there are great improvements that will delight skiers! There will be an additional daily flight from Atlanta, and airlines announced a big increase in daily flights during the early part of the ski season (Nov. 30 – Dec. 15, 2022). We will continue to have direct flights from Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, and Chicago.
The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies
The Bayer Centered opened during summer 2022 under the umbrella of the Aspen Institute and preserves the art, legacy, and expanded contexts of Herbert Bayer, the artist and designer whose work led the Bauhaus movement in the United States. Learn more and plan your visit here.
New Restaurants & Nightlife
- Parc Aspen plans to open in the former L’Hostaria space in December 2022. With a locally sourced, farm-to-table concept, owners Maryanne and Harley Sefton and Executive Chef Mark Connell will offer three levels of dining: an affordably priced bar menu, a contemporary fine dining room, and an elegant 12-person private dining experience. (620 E. Hyman Ave., ParcAspen.com)
- Las Montanas opened in the renovated Jimmy’s space during summer 2022 and delights locals and visitors with gourmet Tex-Mex cuisine. Open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, Las Montanas has cemented itself in the center of Aspen’s dining scene. (205 S. Mill St., LasMontanasAspen.com)
- The Rooftop Café at the Aspen Art Museum is now operated by The Farmer & Chef, a husband-wife team dedicated to localizing food systems one delicious plate at a time. The continually updated menu focuses on genuinely local, organic food made with exceptional love and care.(637 E. Hyman Ave., AspenArtMuseum.org)
- Oakberry Acai Bowls & Smoothies are now available in Aspen! Enjoy your daily dose of superfood or a cool snack! (616 E. Hyman Ave., Oakberry.com)
- Sterling Club Aspen opened in early 2022 and is now at the center of Aspen’s nightlife scene. With its blue velvet booths, dim lighting, and graphic mountain imagery glowing from the walls, this sophisticated nightclub features DJs during the late-night hours. (301 E. Hopkins Ave.)
- Coming soon: The Nice Guy, an h.Wood restaurant and lounge in Los Angeles, will open an Aspen outpost in the former Takah Sushi space. The design concept is a throwback to the 1950s Sinatra era, a decadent time of Mafia-run bars and restaurants. (320 S. Mill St.)
- Coming soon: a new Japanese steakhouse, bar, and nightclub operated by DJ Cedric Gervais and Chef Wei Chen (formerly of Nakazawa Aspen) is being built in the former 7908 space. (415 E. Hyman Ave.)
Are you inspired to visit Aspen this winter?
Join us for a memorable ski vacation and experience all that’s new in Aspen for winter 2022-23. Start planning your vacation by browsing our Aspen condos & homes online. If you need a personal recommendation, contact our Aspen-based reservations team.