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Aspen Skiing Company warns of workforce, housing and transit risks; seeks county collaboration
Summary
Company leaders told Pitkin County commissioners they face flat industry participation, rising operating and capital costs, and a valleywide shortage of workforce housing (estimated ~5,000 units). Aspen Skiing Company asked for county help on streamlined approvals for employee housing, cross-jurisdictional coordination and transportation solutions.
Aspen Skiing Company executives presented a wide-ranging "state of the business" update, telling the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners the company is investing heavily to protect the ski business but that broader community and industry trends are squeezing its operating model.
"Is can ski stay at the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley?" Dave Tanner, the company—s president, asked at the outset, framing the presentation as a conversation about long-term stewardship and shared responsibility.
Executives outlined several pressures: a long-term flattening in national ski participation, three consecutive years of declining visitation to Aspen/Snowmass, and rising operating costs (the company estimated operating expenses roughly +30% since COVID for items such as wages, insurance and materials). "Our operating costs on average annually are up 30%," Jeff Balkiser, Aspen Skiing Company, said.
Housing and workforce shortfalls were central. Company leaders estimated a valleywide shortage of roughly 5,000 workforce units, with two-thirds of that need in the upper valley; the company emphasized the need for family-style units rather than just seasonal dormitory beds. "We are 5,000 workforce units short across the Roaring Fork Valley," Jeff said, adding that family-style units are key to attracting and retaining a year-round, experienced workforce.
Aspen Skiing Company described projects it plans to advance (for example, Eljabel Crossing and an expansion at Snowmass commonly referred to as "Shop") and said it will act as a developer and catalyst, not a county taxpayer-funded builder. The company asked the county to streamline approvals for employee-sponsored housing, enable cross-jurisdictional zoning flexibility, and accelerate transportation planning. Company leaders also promoted the idea of exploring aerial-transit (gondola) concepts and other first/last-mile solutions to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips.
Company executives stressed they would continue annual, transparent check-ins with the county and reiterated commitments to invest in snowmaking and capital improvements while urging county partnership on policy changes that would preserve the local ski economy and the community built around it.
Commissioners thanked company leaders for the transparent briefing and acknowledged shared responsibility for housing and transportation solutions. No formal action or vote was taken.
