Kids can ski Buttermilk and its child-friendly trails.
Buttermilk is Aspen’s winter playground, where every day is recess. The fun, flowing, forgiving runs help beginners fall in love with skiing and snowboarding; the groomed uphill route invites people to skin up for their turns; and the world-class terrain parks and Superpipe host premier contests, like Winter X Games. But Buttermilk has been and always will be for the kids.
Buttermilk’s smaller size makes it the perfect place to young skiers and snowboarders to explore and gain independence and confidence. While Buttermilk has three base areas, its three main chairlifts lead to the summit, where the Cliffhouse restaurant overlooks Aspen Highlands and Pyramid Peak. It’s a great place to meet up and grab lunch (don’t miss the kids’ noodle bowl).
Many of Aspen’s best skiers started on Panda Peak, the 34-vertical-foot, perfectly pitched bunny—er, panda—slope accessed via fixed double chairlift at the base of Buttermilk. Buttermilk Ski School’s Powder Pandas get pulled in sleds via snowmobile from the Hideout Children’s Center to an adjacent magic carpet. The learning area includes features, snow slides and snow characters, all designed to encourage snow play, which is the first step in teaching a child to ski or snowboard.
Hidden tree trails on Buttermilk abound. From Larkspur on West Buttermilk, look for TWLTT (The World’s Longest Tree Trail), decorated with international flags, knickknacks and stuffed animals. From the top of Summit Express, find green Aldrich Alley, then the forest off Westward Ho. Devil’s Gut weaves you through the forest and a log tunnel.
The best progression park for kids, Red’s Rover, is accessed via the midway loading station of West Buttermilk Express Chair. Kids will find jumps of varying approaching sizes, boxes and rails that progress from the snow to a foot above. Freestyle instructors can help kids dial in their first tricks safely.
New this year, Buttermilk’s transformed base area includes a 9,000-square-foot-plus fully electric skier services building, creating a sustainable and intuitive one-stop shop for guests to purchase tickets, dial in gear rentals, shop, and relax in the lounge. A new patio area called The Backyard, the renovated Buttermilk Mountain Lodge (formerly known as Bumps) offers heated outdoor seating and a menu of drinks and food, taking the comfortable, fun hangout to the next level. Kids, don’t miss the 7,500-square-foot, two-story childcare facility with an indoor playground.
Photography by: PHOTO BY TAMARA SUSA/BTX PRODUCTIONS
