Industry News
After more than a decade of frustration, Aspen Skiing Co. (SkiCo) is taking matters into its own hands, aiming to significantly improve cell service coverage across its four Colorado ski areas, Scott Condon reports for the Aspen Daily News (ADN). Various developers have abandoned previous efforts, citing financial inviability, leaving skiers with limited or no cell connectivity.
SkiCo’s new initiative proposes the addition of nine towers across seven locations at Snowmass Ski Area, with plans underway for the remaining ski areas. Mak Keeling, SkiCo’s vice president of mountain planning and development, emphasized that the move isn’t solely about profits. “Providing cell coverage for public safety reasons was more important,” Keeling told the Snowmass Village Town Council, highlighting the benefit to injured or lost skiers.
The proposed towers would cater to T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T services, ranging in height from 30 to 90 feet. Despite the benefits, the proposal has faced criticism from local residents, particularly concerning the visual impact of a 60-foot metal pole at the Two Creeks base. This led to a delay in the council’s decision until October 2nd.
If approved, construction will commence in summer 2024 with hopes of completing the project by 2025. Meanwhile, installations at Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk are pending reviews by Pitkin County and the U.S. Forest Service.
