Elevated Snowmass Submits Sketch Plan for Ritz-Carlton Redevelopment

“Elevated Snowmass team remains committed to a process that is both responsive and efficient.”

That’s what Stephane De Baets, the developer behind the proposed Ritz-Carlton, told the press in a release. It’s also what he’s been telling the town since March. Now, Elevated Snowmass LLC has formally submitted its Sketch Plan to Snowmass Village, turning that collaborative rhetoric into a physical footprint on the mountain.

The project targets the Viewline, Snowmass Conference Center, and Wildwood Lodge. It’s a major chunk of West Village real estate, currently aging and in need of what the developer calls “major reinvestment.” On paper, that sounds like a win for locals who have watched these properties sit in various states of disrepair. In practice, it means a lot of paperwork, public hearings, and a lot of money changing hands.

De Baets didn’t mince words about the feedback loop. “We appreciated the thoughtful and direct feedback from the Town during the Pre-Sketch meeting,” he said. He called the process “collaborative, transparent, and grounded in shared goals.” That’s the kind of language that usually precedes a long review period where every inch of view easement gets dissected.

The plan has evolved since that initial March work session. The team, led by planning firm Design Workshop, claims to have identified “clear areas of opportunity” within the property’s constraints. The refined proposal promises specific upgrades: a more efficient arrival and delivery solution, increased on-site workforce housing, and creative commercial spaces.

Let’s look at the workforce housing piece. It’s a buzzword in Western Slope development, but here it’s listed as a tangible improvement. If the plan actually increases the number of units available for staff, that’s a logistical fix for the hospitality industry’s perennial labor shortage. If it’s just a checkbox for the planning commission, it’s noise. The press release doesn’t specify the number of new units, only that they are an “increase.” We’ll have to wait for the full plan details to see if that increase is significant or symbolic.

The development team is also pushing for modern group meeting rooms that interface with outdoor spaces. This targets the corporate retreat crowd, the kind of guest who books a conference center for a week and expects high-speed Wi-Fi and a view of the Elk Mountains. It’s a shift from the older, boxier conference models to something more experiential.

Kathleen Wanatowicz, the local representative, is the point of contact. She’s been working with the team to refine the proposal. The next step is a presentation to the Snowmass Village Planning Commission and the Town Council. Public hearings are anticipated to begin this spring.

The goal, according to De Baets, is to create an “exciting destination.” That’s the pitch. Improve an aging property, modernize infrastructure, and secure a long-term investment. It’s a standard development narrative, but the scale here is different. This isn’t a small renovation. It’s a redevelopment of multiple structures.

For context, Snowmass Village is already grappling with the tension between luxury tourism and local affordability. Adding a Ritz-Carlton reinforces the high-end tourism model. The workforce housing is the counterbalance. Whether that balance holds up under the weight of construction costs and property tax assessments is an open question.

The developers are moving forward. They’re engaging with stakeholders. They’re preparing for the next phase. But until the Planning Commission votes and the town council approves the zoning changes, this is just a sketch. A very expensive, very detailed sketch.

The bottom line? Locals should expect more public meetings this spring. They should expect debates over the specific number of workforce units versus luxury rooms. And they should watch closely to see if “efficient delivery solutions” means less traffic congestion on Snowmass Mountain Road or just a prettier driveway for the hotel guests.