First Look: Chalet Alpina — Aspen Colorado's Next Iconic Luxury Development at the Base of Lift 1A | Avant Garde Aspen Luxury Real Estate | Stephanie Kroll
Stephanie Kroll
Stephanie Kroll
Aspen’s most anticipated new development is officially on the horizon. Chalet Alpina, an ultra-luxury mixed-use project at the base of Lift One (Lift 1A), is set to redefine slope-side living and hospitality in the heart of downtown Aspen. Backed by global luxury developer Irongate Group, known for the prestigious Costa Palmas project in Cabo, Chalet Alpina combines timeless alpine architecture with contemporary mountain glamour—poised to become one of the most coveted addresses in the Rockies.
Construction for both the new hotel and the replacement Lift 1A is slated to begin in April 2026, marking the first phase of a multi-year redevelopment effort that will completely transform the west side of Aspen Mountain.
The left-hand side of the new lift will feature a limited collection of six primary residences, anticipated for completion in 2029. These will be true full-time homes — not fractionals — and are expected to command record-breaking prices, likely exceeding $10,000 per square foot given their irreplaceable location, new-construction pedigree, and unmatched amenities.
On the right-hand side, the Chalet Alpina Hotel and Residences will rise, with delivery expected in 2030. This wing will include 26 fractional ownership residences, primarily three- and four-bedroom layouts, offering a new opportunity for buyers seeking the Aspen lifestyle without the full-time commitment.
Much like The Little Nell Residences and Dancing Bear, ownership at Chalet Alpina will be offered in one-eighth shares. Owners will enjoy rotating priority weeks each year, ensuring a fair mix of seasons, for example, two prime summer weeks, two shoulder-season weeks, and two winter periods that may vary year to year.
Many of the fractional residences will also include lock-off floor plans, allowing owners to occupy one portion of the residence while renting out the other through the hotel’s in-house management team. This dual-use flexibility creates a unique opportunity for both enjoyment and income generation.
Owners will also have the benefit of dedicated staff handling rentals and guest services, ensuring a seamless experience consistent with a five-star resort standard.
Designed by Guerin Glass Architects with interiors by the same visionary team behind Costa Palmas, Chalet Alpina is intentionally moving away from Aspen’s cold minimalist trend of white, gray, and chrome interiors.
Instead, the aesthetic embraces rich natural materials and colorful sophistication — warm woods, brass accents, and unique pink and green marble details that bring depth and individuality to every residence. The result is a design narrative that feels both rooted in the mountains and fresh in its approach, offering a sense of comfort, warmth, and authenticity.
Chalet Alpina will offer a full suite of resort-level amenities and member-exclusive experiences designed to rival the world’s top alpine destinations. Planned features include:
Rooftop Pool & Terrace (exclusive to residents and not open to the public)
Indoor Lap Pool & Spa
Private Parking Garage for full-time owners
Ski Storage, Valet, and Room Service
Brasserie and Day Club (indoor/outdoor F&B concept)
The Amber Room, a late-night cocktail lounge
Supper Club and Omakase Speakeasy
On-site Ski Shop and Concierge Services
The development will also feature a private two-tier Chalet Alpina Members Club, offering access to exclusive lounges, dining, and events. Membership sales are expected to begin next year, with priority access and discounted rates extended to fractional and full-time owners.
As part of the project, two historic ski chalets on the property will be fully restored. One will be transformed into a ski history museum, a nod to Aspen’s rich mountain heritage requested by SkiCo.
The second will become a Casa Tua-style private restaurant and members’ lounge, with a vaulted third floor designed for intimate events and gatherings. Together, these spaces blend old Aspen charm with new luxury energy, maintaining a connection to the mountain’s deep cultural roots. The original metal shell of Lift One that was a part of the very first ski lift in Colorado and Aspen, will also be restored and kept in place for historic purposes.
While final details are pending confirmation from Aspen Skiing Company (SkiCo), the new Lift 1A is expected to be a six-pack high-speed chairlift alternating with an eight-person gondola, mirroring the efficiency of the Silver Queen Gondola.
At the top, Ruthie’s is set for a transformation of its own — reimagined into a Cloud Nine–style food and beverage destination, signaling a vibrant new après-ski scene and likely increased skier traffic on this side of the mountain.
To facilitate the flow between the two primary structures, an underground tunnel will connect the residences and hospitality sides, providing seamless access for owners and guests even while the lift runs directly between them.
This is one of Aspen’s most complex builds to date. Before the first structure rises, crews will excavate approximately 60 feet into Aspen Mountain to create the foundation and multi-level parking garage — an immense logistical challenge in the heart of downtown.
The precision required for this underground work underscores the development’s ambition to blend architecture and mountain seamlessly — an engineering marvel that will likely stand as a new benchmark in alpine construction.
Only six primary residences will be built on the left-hand side of the new lift, making them some of the rarest new-construction properties in Aspen. The collection will include four four-bedroom units, one five-bedroom home, and one smaller penthouse-style unit.
Each residence will feature access to private amenities, a rooftop pool, underground parking, and direct ski access. Given their exclusivity and location, these homes are projected to exceed $10,000 per square foot, rivaling or surpassing Aspen’s top-tier penthouses and riverfront estates. The largest residence will likely be around 2800 SF in total and these are expected to trade somewhere in the $35-40M range when all is said and done.
Developed by Irongate Group, Chalet Alpina carries the same DNA of understated luxury found in their globally recognized projects like Costa Palmas in Cabo. In fact, Costa Palmas owners will receive the first opportunity to purchase fractional offerings at Chalet Alpina before they’re released to the broader public.
This pre-launch strategy continues Irongate’s tradition of cultivating an intimate, high-net-worth community of owners across destinations.
While Chalet Alpina is the centerpiece of the Lift 1A base redevelopment, Aman Aspen will rise just above it — tucked behind the Alpina site off Aspen Street.
Currently in the planning stages, Aman Aspen is expected to deliver around 74 hotel rooms and four private residences, with completion likely in 2031. While smaller in scale, the Aman will add another layer of luxury to this coveted slope-side enclave, creating a new golden triangle of hospitality and real estate between Aman, Alpina, and The Little Nell.
With groundbreaking scheduled for spring 2026 and completion rolling out through 2030, Chalet Alpina represents Aspen’s most ambitious new resort-residential project in decades. Combining heritage, hospitality, and high design, it promises to reshape the Lift 1A base area into a world-class alpine village that honors Aspen’s past while ushering in its next era of luxury.
Whether as a fractional owner, full-time resident, or future club member, Chalet Alpina is set to become the definitive expression of modern mountain living — intimate, architectural, and deeply connected to the spirit of Aspen.
Interested in learning more about the fractional ownership or permanent residences at Chalet Alpina? Reach out to Stephanie Kroll for more information and assistance: 303.345.5886 | [email protected]
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