Snowmass Village Approves $10 Million Sky Cab Replacement

Aspen —Snowmass Village is spending $10 million to replace the Sky Cab Gondola, colloquially known as “Skittles,” with a new high-speed detachable system that doubles passenger capacity and aims to reopen by Thanksgiving 2027.

The Town Council received the update Monday, confirming that construction on the project is scheduled to begin in August. The timeline hinges on a partnership between the town and Aspen Skiing Company (SkiCo), which will split the $10 million cost — $5 million each.

Mak Keeling, vice president of Mountain Planning at SkiCo, told the council the new infrastructure will significantly upgrade the current experience. The existing pulse-gondola, which carries 510 people per hour, will be replaced by a detachable system capable of moving 1,000 people per hour. There will still be 12 cabins, but the switch to high-speed detachable design means the cars can slow down for boarding and speed up for transit.

The alignment remains largely the same, running from Lot 1 of the Base Village to the Timbermill Property on Daly Lane, next to the Snowmass Mall. However, Keeling noted the new design will decrease the number of towers, removing what he called “obstacles” for skiers navigating the area.

The real work, and the real cost, lies in the terminals. The new upper terminal will reuse as much of the existing structure “as humanly possible,” Keeling said. But the surrounding landscape is getting a major overhaul. The current gravel area at the top will be replaced with something more turf- or grass-based. A permanent ramp and an electric snow-melted walkway will connect the mall to the plaza.

Council Member Cecily DeAngelo didn’t mince words when it came to the gravel. She asked if there was actually something wrong with it. Keeling admitted the gravel doesn’t need maintenance and handles drainage well. But it’s been in place for five years and provides an unstable surface.

“We feel that we can have a better storefront, if you will, for our product,” he said.

That storefront improvement isn’t guaranteed yet. The ramp, retaining wall, and landscape design sit outside the existing gondola platform. That specific component is “at risk” because it requires approval from neighboring property owners. If those neighbors say no, the vision for a polished entrance gets complicated.

Down in Base Village, the changes are easier to execute because they stay entirely within SkiCo property. The plan includes narrowing the staircase by adding a planter, similar to other planters in the village, to better form a line for skiers.

“This one is a little easier,” Keeling said regarding that location’s needs.

Mayor Alyssa Shenk watched the presentation with a mix of relief and anticipation. She noted the town has been working on the replacement for a long time.

“It’s really exciting to see this go forward,” Shenk said. “I know we’ve been working on it for a long time.”

The project isn’t just about moving skiers faster. SkiCo’s internal branding and marketing team is currently working with town staff to develop new logos for the system. The goal is to refresh the identity of the gondola that has defined the Base Village entrance for decades.

Construction starts in August. The old Skittles will come down. The new system will go up. And neighbors will decide if the gravel really needed to go.