Aspen Snowmass Signs Off Early: Buttermilk Wraps 2025-26 Season Amid “Unique Challenges”

The lifts at Buttermilk officially ground to a halt on Wednesday, March 25, marking an early and bittersweet end to the 2025-26 winter season. Aspen Snowmass officials confirmed the closure nearly two weeks ahead of the mountain’s originally scheduled April 5 finale, citing a winter defined by "unique challenges" that ultimately proved too much for the mountain’s lower-elevation terrain.

A Season Defined by Heat and Scarcity

While Buttermilk is affectionately known as the "smallest mountain with the biggest heart" in the Aspen lineup, its heart wasn’t enough to combat a record-breaking spring thaw. Colorado has grappled with a historically low snowpack this year—sitting at just 38% of the norm as of late March.

Record-high temperatures across the Rockies accelerated the melting process, leaving mountain operations teams with a dwindling supply of snow to groom. The decision to close early was described by resort officials as "not made lightly," but necessary as "spring conditions" transitioned rapidly into "mud season" at the base of the mountain.

Despite the abbreviated ending, the 2025-26 season at Buttermilk was far from quiet. The mountain successfully hosted several premier events that drew global attention, including:

• The 25th Anniversary of X Games Aspen: A high-octane weekend in late January that saw world-class progression in the superpipe and slopestyle parks.

• Toyota U.S. Grand Prix: Serving as a critical Olympic-qualifying stop for athletes eyeing the 2026 Winter Games.

• The Snow League: The return of Shaun White’s professional league, which solidified Buttermilk's status as a freestyle mecca.

"We are incredibly grateful for our mountain operations teams and snowmaking crews," the resort stated in an announcement. "Their hard work and dedication made safe skiing possible through a very tough season."

While Buttermilk has taken its final bow, the season is not over for the rest of the Aspen Snowmass complex. Operations are continuing at the three higher-elevation peaks, where the snowpack has remained more resilient:

The resort is encouraging passholders to shift their spring skiing plans to Snowmass or Aspen Mountain, where "Bacon Appreciation Day" and other closing festivities may see a change in venue or format due to Buttermilk’s early exit. For now, the focus shifts to preserving the remaining snow on the higher slopes to ensure the 2025-26 season ends on a high note.