Fire Shuts Down Aspen Mountain Ski Resort Restaurant and Gondola

No injuries reported as crews work to reopen the resort after a small fire at the Sundeck restaurant.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A small fire broke out at the Sundeck restaurant atop Aspen Mountain on Thursday morning, leading to the evacuation of the building and the closure of the Silver Queen Gondola used to access it. The resort said the incident was quickly contained and there were no injuries, but the restaurant and gondola will remain closed until further notice as crews complete safety sweeps.

Why it matters

Aspen Mountain is a major ski destination, and the Sundeck restaurant and gondola are key amenities for visitors. The temporary closure could disrupt plans for skiers and snowboarders, as well as impact the resort's operations and revenue during the busy winter season.

The details

According to Aspen Snowmass spokesperson Hannah Dixon, the fire was quickly contained, and all employees and guests were evacuated from the Sundeck restaurant 'out of an abundance of caution.' The Sundeck and Aspen Mountain Club will remain closed until further notice as the resort works to reopen the lifts and other operations as soon as possible.

  • The fire broke out on Thursday morning, February 19, 2026.

The players

Aspen Snowmass

The company that operates Aspen Mountain ski resort.

Hannah Dixon

Spokesperson for Aspen Snowmass.

Aspen Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the incident.

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What they’re saying

“The incident was quickly contained, and there were no injuries to employees, guests, or first responders.”

— Hannah Dixon, Spokesperson (The Denver Post)

“We would like to express our gratitude for the swift and professional response of Aspen Mountain Ski Patrol and the Aspen Fire Department. The safety of our employees and guests is our highest priority.”

— Hannah Dixon, Spokesperson (The Denver Post)

What’s next

The resort plans to reopen the lifts and other operations as soon as possible, once safety sweeps are completed.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness at ski resorts, which can be critical to protecting both guests and staff during unexpected events. It also underscores the need for effective communication and coordination between resort management and local emergency services.