Slope Side

Fort Frog Re-Opens on Buttermilk Mountain

Bigger and even better, the Old West–style structure welcomes kids (and adults) once again.

By Aspen Sojourner Staff Photography by Allison Pattillo December 10, 2018

Fort Frog was rebuilt on its original footprint.

The new structure was built higher off the ground to accommodate snow buildup.

While this looks like the original Saloon and General Store, the inside is updated with a crowd-pleasing surprise.....

...... A candy bar! While all were welcome on Saturday, this sweet shop is generally reserved for those in ski lessons.

No quarters are required, and all offerings are free of nuts.

Of course, there are plenty of gummy frogs.

In addition to candy, the walls are decorated with a collection of classic Buttermilk Mountain ski photos, like this one of Barbra Streisand.

Rope hammocks are ideal for striking a pose, playing, and relaxing.

Climb the tower to Bergie's Bridge to take in the views. It's also how you get to the spiral slide—fair warning, the slide is very loud when you're wearing ski boots!

Long a popular place for snowball fights, one tower is now equipped with a snowball launcher. You can see a snowball set to fly—this one made it to the far side of the slope!

December 8, 2018 marked the grand opening of the new Fort Frog on Buttermilk. First built in 1991, the original Fort Frog burned down in May 2016 after campers didn't extinguish their fire. The new fort features picnic tables, a slide, a rope bridge, a snowball launcher, a faux jail, and rope hammocks. Inside the saloon and general store is a candy bar to belly up to—but there's a catch. The treats are only for those (kids and adults) taking in a ski lesson.