by Amanda Faison
skier, ski mom, lover of slopeside cuisine
With a holistic approach that considers sustainability from at least three levels, local, state, and federal, CSCUSA member and four-mountain resort Aspen Snowmass has been a leader in the push for sustainability for decades. One such example of their commitment to combating climate change and enacting actionable sustainability efforts is the Buttermilk Mountain Lodge, which opened to the public in January 2023.
The passive-solar, all-electric, Argon gas filled-windowed building houses Buttermilk’s base restaurant and guest services center. Instead of relying on natural gas for heating and cooling like conventional buildings and emitting carbon dioxide for the duration of its life cycle, Buttermilk Mountain Lodge will get greener with each passing year. In fact, within a matter of years, it will become 100 percent carbon neutral. The target date is 2030, but that goal may be achieved sooner: the resort has partnered with Aspen CORE, a nonprofit leading the Roaring Fork Valley to a carbon-free, net-zero energy grid by 2030.
The Buttermilk Mountain Lodge may be just one building, but it’s a shining example of the Aspen Snowmass commitment to tackling climate change, both day-to-day and in the long term.
But don’t think that the eco-conscious structure doesn’t also fulfill all the requirements of an on-mountain lodge built for skiers and riders.
Its high-beam ceilings and mountain views are a feast for the eyes, and the Mediterranean inspired cuisine (think pastas, salads, fresh grill selections, house-made soups, and baked goods made on premises) is a feast, period.
Photo courtesy of Buttermilk Mountain