2025 Autumn Update

finally starting: CHALET ALPINA at Lift One

FALL 2025: After many years, the first visible signs of development are in process at the historic Lift One base with infrastructure development for the residence hotel, The CHALET ALPINA ( fka “Lift One Lodge”). Details on the second hotel, ie AMAN, to come. ***Who remembers that in 2019, that the “Lift One Corridor Project” passed by only 26 votes?

RESTAURANT updates

Goodbye to locals’ beloved “MiChola”. Hello to “LOLA 41” (opening soon at the White Elephant Hotel. (Photo is a rendering of White Elephant Hotel lobby, 110 W.Main St, opening Winter ‘25/’26)

*GOOD TO KNOW: perks for guests staying at White Elephant Aspen include complimentary bikes, shuttles to the slopes, and complimentary BMW transfers to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

RESTAURANT UPDATES HERE

ASPEN NEWS:

-ArtUP and ED RUSCHA: This year, internationally acclaimed artist Ed Ruscha will be the featured  lift ticket artist as part of Aspen One’s Art in Unexpected Places (ArtUP) program. For more than 20 years, Aspen Snowmass has adorned lift tickets and season passes with works from artists such as Takashi Murakami, FriendsWithYou, Hank Willis Thomas, Yutaka Sone, Carla Klein, Mamma Andersson, Mark Grotjahn, and more. Ruscha’s contribution is part of Aspen One’s larger commitment to renew and strengthen its commitment to the arts.  

Click here for imagery of art in Aspen and prior years of the ArtUP program.

- $80 MILLION spent for ON-MOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENTS: Snowmass’s ELK CREEK LIFT has a new high speed 6-pack. And CIRQUE is doubling its capacity:

• The Elk Camp Restaurant at Snowmass will also open a new 120-seat deck on its east side. The expansion faces the Elk Camp Chair, offering mountain views and an “innovative umbrella and glass wall system” that provides climate control in varying weather conditions.

• New: Cirque platter lift at Snowmass, with a new T-bar lift. The Cirque is one of the highest lifts in North America and accesses “some of Snowmass’ best extreme high-Alpine terrain,”

-ASPEN AIRPORT EXPANSION: slated for 2027, so make plans now for an extended stay/ longterm. Details on the ONE YEAR closing HERE

-(still) UNFINISHED BUSINESS at the The ASPEN CLUB, and up to 9 years of construction at the various RH (Restoration Hardware) projects plaguing neighborhing business owners in Aspen’s core. Sources tell me of a promised rebirth, but we’ve heard it before. … Details coming soon, so be sure to subscribe to AspenINTEL.

LOCAL EVENTS:

SEPTEMBER

Aspen Filmfest thru Sept 21

Aspen Ruggerfest thru Sept 19
Aspen Literary Festival Sept 26-28
Snowmass Oktoberfest: SEPT 26-28
Golden Leaf Half Marathon: SEPT 27 : the very popular trail running race.
Aspen Saturday Market: A weekly market that runs into early October, showcasing local Colorado farms and artisans. 
Live Music & Nightlife: Enjoy live performances at venues at Belly Up Aspen

ONGOING: Fall Foliage:

SNOWMASS: hotter than ever!!

In the last month there have been 3 Snowmass closing of note: 2 renovated homes that closed for $3133/sq.ft & another at $3544/sq.ft. Then a penthouse at Cirque closed for $6360/ft , YES $6,360/sq.ft(!!!) Snowmass is hot for GOOD product. Traditionally, Snowmass Village real estate’s PRICING tracks 28-42% lower than comps in Aspen’s zip codes. EG: in the Aspen/Snowmass market, rarely is a single family home offered which is nicely updated, with 6 bedrooms priced less than $6.95 million. My brand new listing (see attached video above) checks all these boxes and much more…. for MORE, click HERE.

There are strong opportunities out there for those who know where to look. For example, 5 of my last 8 deals were OFF MARKET. Let me help you…

How’s the real estate MARKET ?

- NATIONALLY: The Fed just reduced rates by 0.25% and the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is 6.13%, down from the peak at over 7% back in January 2025. Global unrest has seen US ultra-luxury real estate benefit from capital flight to safety. High-net-worth individuals seek hard assets in the U.S. to hedge against currency devaluation or political instability. EG: recently, I represented a foreign national buyer who closed on one of my listings after a bidding war with another buyer: that is, we had 2 buyers within 4 hours of listing the core condo. In this deal, I partnered with AspenINTEL team member @CarrieBellotti of Christies (CIREAS).

-LOCALLY: In Aspen/Snowmass, Midway through September we now have snow on our 14,000 foot peaks and fall colors are errupting across the valley. It’s a season of transition. In local real estate, inventory has seen modest increases, while demand continues in key segments—particularly in the luxury market. Whether you’re considering selling, buying or renting, timing and local expertise remain essential.

-ICYMI last month, Aspen made headlines when the highest priced property in the USA hit the market with an asking price of $300 million. The highest CLOSED price to date in Aspen was $108 million, on tax day April 15, 2024, for a Charles Cunniffe Architecture estate on Willoughby Way, Red Mountain.

• new: OFF-MARKET: Fabulous home in west Aspen: timeless, on-trend European Alpine architecture, truly elegant decor, light and bright, 5 ensuite bedrooms and over 5050 SqFt. $15 Miliion. Contact me at (susan@susanplummer.com) for info since brokers are unable to share OFF-market property details via email blasts.(susan@susanplummer.com) (susan@susanplummer.com) for info since brokers are unable to share OFF-market property details via email blasts..

• newly listed last month: SNOWMASS 6 bedrm with end-of-road ski access, 4061 SqFt , Single family home on 0.9 acres. Priced less than $7.5 million. Must see: 49 Elk Ridge Ln HERE. (attached video clip, Mt Home Properties)

• 2025 Q2 MARKET FACTS: Aspen/Snowmass 2025-Q2 MARKET REPORT by Elliot Eisenberg, PhD.

Relationships, Connections and Community are benefits I share with my clients in the Roaring Fork valley’s dynamic real estate market. My AspenINTEL team provides access to exclusive listings and discreet opportunities with the added value of highly personalized white-glove guidance. For those moving to, moving from, or reconnecting with the mountains, Id be honored to assist you. Those looking for other options, I can connect you globally through the reach of Christies International Real Estate,

Enjoy your Autumn and feel free to contact me any time … I always answer my phone and would love to chat about my favorite thing: Aspen/Snowmass and our amazing valley!

Susan