# Buttermilk

> Buttermilk, Aspen's gentlest mountain: open December 12, 2026 to April 4, 2027; 435 acres, summit 9,900 ft.

Canonical page: https://aspenprive.com/buttermilk-aspen/  
Updated: 2026-09-29 · Publisher: Aspen Privé (local Aspen stay planning and concierge)

Buttermilk opens **December 12, 2026** and closes **April 4, 2027**. It is the gentlest of the four mountains: **435 acres**, **2,030 feet of vertical** and a **9,900-foot summit**, with a **free beginner lift (Panda Peak)**, a learning centre for children, the **X Games** terrain parks, and **free parking** in winter.

Dates and features are from Aspen Snowmass, checked September 2026; acreage and vertical from the ski area's published figures.

## The mountain in numbers

- **Season**: December 12, 2026 to April 4, 2027.
- **Size**: 435 acres, 2,030 ft of vertical, summit 9,900 ft.
- **Terrain**: Mellow groomers, endless greens and blues, and world-class terrain parks.
- **Parking**: Free in winter at the base; it fills early on busy days.

## Lessons, rentals and a calm first morning (what Aspen Privé arranges)

We book the lessons, fit rentals at the house the night before, and a sitter for the little ones who aren't in ski school. [Tell us the ages](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=family-ski-week).

## First-timers and children

- **Panda Peak**: A free chairlift at the base for young skiers and first-timers, so the first day doesn't need a full lift ticket.
- **The Hideout**: A dedicated learning centre for children, with Fort Frog and terrain built for the first turns.
- **Lessons**: Child, teen and adult lessons; ski school from age 2½. See [learning to ski in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/learn-to-ski-aspen/) and [skiing with kids](https://aspenprive.com/skiing-in-aspen-with-kids/).

## X Games terrain

Buttermilk hosts the X Games each January, and its parks are open to everyone the rest of the season, for beginners and pros alike. Event details in [X Games Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/x-games-aspen/).


## Cliffhouse and The Backyard

- **Cliffhouse**: At the summit: Asian dishes, uphill breakfasts and views of Pyramid Peak. Skiers only.
- **The Backyard**: At the base lodge: heated seating, cocktails and a DJ on Saturdays; easy after a lesson day.

## Hiking and skinning up Tiehack

The Tiehack side is open for uphill hiking, snowshoeing and skinning at set hours; a popular sunrise outing. See [uphill skiing in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-uphill-skiing/).


## Questions

**When does Buttermilk open for 2026–27?**  
December 12, 2026, closing April 4, 2027.

**Is Buttermilk good for beginners?**  
Yes. It is the gentlest of Aspen's four mountains, with a free beginner lift (Panda Peak) and The Hideout learning centre for children.

**Is parking free at Buttermilk?**  
Yes, in winter. The lot fills early on busy days.

**Where are the X Games held in Aspen?**  
At Buttermilk, each January.

**How big is Buttermilk?**  
435 acres with 2,030 feet of vertical and a 9,900-foot summit.

## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this

Lessons booked, rentals fitted at the house, a driver to the base, and the evenings planned around tired children.

- [A nanny or babysitter](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=childcare): We find and brief a nanny or babysitter for the days the little ones aren't in ski school, or the evenings you go out: at the house, the same person all week if you like.
- [Private ski instructor](https://aspenprive.com/private-ski-instructor-aspen/): A private lesson matched to the skier and the mountain.
- [Ski rental delivered](https://aspenprive.com/ski-rental-delivery-aspen/): Fitted at the residence, not in a shop queue.
- [Private airport transfer](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-airport-transportation/) (From $195 per vehicle): From Aspen's airport to the door in a private SUV, timed to your actual landing.

## Sources (checked September 29, 2026)

- [Aspen Snowmass: Buttermilk](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/four-mountains/buttermilk)
- [Aspen Snowmass: parking](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/parking-and-getting-around)
- [Buttermilk (ski area)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttermilk_(ski_area))

## Related

- [Learning to ski in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/learn-to-ski-aspen/): Where to start and what it costs.
- [Snowmass](https://aspenprive.com/snowmass-aspen/): The biggest mountain, for the whole family.
- [Aspen's four mountains](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-four-mountains-which-one/): Which one to ski.

To plan or request any of this: https://aspenprive.com/plan-your-trip/ · https://aspenprive.com/contact.html