Aspen, CO – Aspen Skiing Co. officials are seeking permits to replace two aging chairlifts at Buttermilk with a new high-speed quad in time for the 2011-12 ski and snowboard season.nThe Maroon Creek Subdivision Homeowners Association voted last week to grant the ski company an easement for the new lift and continue annual contributions for its operation, much as they do now for the Lower Tiehack Lift. While the U.S. Forest Service has already approved the new lift in concept, a summer construction plan needs to be approved by the agency before groundbreaking can begin.

The new $7 million chairlift would replace both the existing Lower and Upper Tiehack lifts and reduce ride time from 18 to seven minutes. The loading and unloading areas would be slightly realigned from those of the existing lifts.