Brains
One of the preeminent resorts in the United States is getting a significant redevelopment aimed to bolster a side of the mountain that has been left behind. After more than a decade of planning, lengthy approval processes, and community-driven opposition, developers will begin revitalizing the Lift One corridor on Colorado’s Aspen Mountain.
Chalet Alpina, the proposed name of the new base village, broke ground last fall and is expected to begin infrastructure work in early 2026, with completion anticipated in 2029. While this will be a new base area, it is actually the site of the city’s first ski lift that had fallen out of favor due to a decision in the 1970s to build a replacement lift higher up the mountain. This decision pushed activity towards the Little Nell base village, which has served as Aspen Mountain’s preferred access point for resort guests.
Now, new life is being brought to the forgotten side of the mountain. Spanning two-and-a-half city blocks, this new base village will bring a new modern lift closer to downtown as well as significant accommodations. With a cost estimate rumored to be nearly $350 million, this project will fundamentally change Aspen Mountain and help to improve uphill capacity at one of the most prestigious resorts in the world.
Chalet Alpina’s architecture is by Brooklyn-based Guerin Glass Architects, the interiors are entirely designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. In fact, many of the structures and developments will be preserved, as well as the two mid-century chalet buildings that will be relocated and retrofitted. One of these buildings will be turned into a restaurant while the other will be retrofitted into a ski museum in partnership with the Aspen Historical Society.
In addition to retrofitting existing buildings, there will be a residential component to Chalet Alpina that is divided into two distinct tiers. The first will be the development of six full-ownership mountain homes, which are expected to be in the mid $30-million range. The second will be 26 shared-ownership units. These fractional residences are expected to start under $3 million and offer a lock-and-leave lifestyle with all the perks of a five-star hotel.
The timeline and scale for this project are both long and large, considering the goal of blending the project into the city and the mountain. When finished, Chalet Alpina will represent a $1 billion investment in the future of Aspen’s city and resort. By blending high-class design with a deep respect for ski history, chalet Alpina is poised to become the new benchmark for mountain luxury.
