From Warehouse to Workflow: Designing Aspen SkiCo’s High-Performance Tune Lab

Where Performance Begins Behind the Scenes

In Aspen, Colorado, world-class skiing doesn’t begin on the mountain—it begins behind the scenes.

Located within the AABC industrial area, a once utilitarian warehouse has been transformed into a high-performance engine for Aspen Snowmass operations. What was once a storage facility for Obermeyer apparel is now Aspen Skiing Company’s “Tune Lab”—a centralized hub for ski and snowboard tuning, rental equipment storage, and logistics.

Through a strategic adaptive reuse approach, Z Group Architecture & Interior Design reimagined the space into a high-capacity operational facility, proving that even the most utilitarian environments can be elevated through thoughtful, site-responsive design.

From Storage to System

The project began with a fundamental challenge: how do you transform a building designed purely for storage into a manufacturing-grade operational environment?

With the City of Aspen designating the site for manufacturing use, the opportunity emerged, but so did the complexity. Ski and snowboard tuning requires precision workflows, heavy machinery, and efficient circulation—none of which existed in the original warehouse layout.

Z Group approached the project as a systems-driven design exercise, aligning architecture with process.

The result is a carefully choreographed workflow:

• Equipment enters through loading docks

• Moves through organized storage and “pick locations”

• Transitions into tuning and preparation zones

• Returns to distribution with speed and clarity

Every square foot was reimagined to support performance, efficiency, and scale.

Collaboration at Scale

Projects like this are never designed in isolation. Led by Project Manager & Architectural Designer Katie Hmielowski, Z Group worked closely with Aspen Skiing Company’s operational leaders, including:

• John Perko, Planning Department Project Manager (ASC)

• Spencer Purvis, Director of Logistics (ASC)

This collaboration ensured that every design decision was grounded in real operational needs—from forklift movement to tuning throughput.

“For us, it started with listening—really understanding how SkiCo operates at this scale, and what the operation looks like day to day. From there, the design became about creating a space that could keep up with that pace.” - Katie Hmielowski, Project Manager & Architectural Designer

The result is a facility that reflects architectural intent, deep operational insight, and partnership.

Key Design Features: Architecture in Service of Performance

High-Capacity Tuning Infrastructure

At the heart of the facility is a Wintersteiger Jupiter automated tuning system, configured with eight modules—recognized as the largest ski tuning system of its kind in North America.

• Handles high-volume daily throughput

• Supports precision tuning at scale

• Comparable systems exist only in Austria

This positions the Tune Lab as one of the most advanced ski service facilities globally.

Workflow-Driven Storage & Organization

The facility supports:

• 3,000–5,000 skis in storage

• Approximately 500 custom tunings per day

To manage this volume, Z Group designed:

• Chariot-based storage systems for staging skis and snowboards

• Optimized rack “pick locations” for efficient retrieval

• Clear zoning between storage, tuning, and preparation areas

The result is a space that operates with clarity, speed, and precision.

Industrial Circulation & Logistics

Unlike its predecessor at Aspen Highlands, this facility was designed for true logistical efficiency.

Key upgrades include:

• Loading docks for seamless box truck access

• Forklift clearance and circulation planning

• Improved flow for equipment intake and distribution

These changes significantly reduce operational friction and support SkiCo’s scale.

Acoustic Design for Performance

Ski tuning machinery generates significant noise, making soundproofing a critical design component.

Z Group implemented targeted acoustic strategies to:

• Contain noise within tuning zones

• Improve working conditions

• Maintain operational focus

A Strategic Aspen Location

Located in Aspen’s AABC industrial area, the Tune Lab is positioned for optimal access across the entire resort ecosystem.

From this central hub, SkiCo can efficiently serve:

• Snowmass

• Aspen Mountain

• Aspen Highlands

• Buttermilk

This location transforms the facility into a logistical backbone for Aspen Snowmass operations, supporting both performance and guest experience across the region.

Seeing Design in Motion

Recently, the entire Z Group team stepped out of the office to experience the project firsthand. Walking through the space, the team saw:

• The tuning system in full operation

• The flow of equipment through the facility

• The scale and precision of the design realized

And in true Aspen fashion, the visit concluded with team members having their own skis and snowboards tuned—connecting design directly to experience.

Designing for Operational Excellence

For resort operators and hospitality developers, this project demonstrates a critical truth that back-of-house design is just as important as guest-facing architecture.

For leaders like SkiCo, success depends on:

• Efficient logistics

• Scalable systems

• High-performance infrastructure

Z Group’s ability to translate these needs into built form positions the firm as a strategic design partner for complex operational environments, not just residential or aesthetic projects.

Architecture Beyond the Visible

Not every project is meant to be seen, but every project is meant to perform.

The Aspen SkiCo Tune Lab is a testament to the power of thoughtful, site-sensitive, and systems-driven design. It reflects Z Group’s legacy of creating spaces that do more than exist—they enable experiences, support communities, and elevate performance.

From mountain homes to operational hubs, the philosophy remains the same: design that lives in harmony with its purpose, its people, and its place.

Explore more of Z Group’s work across Aspen and the Western Slope, or connect with our team to design your next high-performance space.

• Contact Us Today

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• Explore Our Projects → Residential | Interior Design | Multi-Family + Mixed Use | Commercial + Hospitality

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FAQs: Aspen SkiCo Tune Lab Warehouse Transformation

What is the Aspen SkiCo Tune Lab and why is it important?

The Aspen SkiCo Tune Lab is a high-performance ski and snowboard tuning, storage, and logistics facility located in Aspen, Colorado. It serves as a centralized hub supporting all four Aspen Snowmass mountains, enabling efficient equipment processing, storage, and distribution at scale.

How was the warehouse transformed into a high-performance tuning facility?

Z Group Architecture converted a former apparel storage warehouse into a workflow-driven operational facility using an adaptive reuse strategy. The design reconfigured the space to support equipment intake, storage, tuning, and redistribution through a highly organized system aligned with real operational workflows.

What is adaptive reuse in industrial architecture?

Adaptive reuse is the process of repurposing an existing building for a new function while preserving its structural framework. In this project, a traditional warehouse was transformed into a manufacturing-grade ski tuning facility, demonstrating how industrial buildings can be reimagined for modern operational needs.

What makes this ski tuning facility unique?

The Tune Lab features one of the largest automated ski tuning systems in North America—a Wintersteiger Jupiter system with eight modules. It supports high-volume, precision tuning operations and positions the facility among the most advanced of its kind globally.

How does the facility improve ski resort operations?

The design improves efficiency through:

• Streamlined equipment flow from intake to distribution

• High-density storage systems for thousands of skis

• Dedicated zones for tuning, staging, and logistics

• Enhanced circulation for forklifts and loading operations

These features reduce operational friction and support large-scale resort performance.

How many skis can the Aspen SkiCo Tune Lab handle?

The facility can store approximately 3,000–5,000 skis and process around 500 custom tunings per day, making it a high-capacity operations hub for Aspen Snowmass.

Why is workflow-driven design important in industrial facilities?

Workflow-driven design ensures that the physical layout of a building aligns with how people, equipment, and materials move through it. In the Tune Lab, this approach improves speed, accuracy, and scalability, turning architecture into a tool for operational performance rather than just a physical structure.

Where is the Aspen SkiCo Tune Lab located?

The facility is located in Aspen’s AABC industrial area, providing centralized access to Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. This strategic location supports efficient logistics across the entire resort system.

What role does architecture play in back-of-house operations?

While often unseen by guests, back-of-house architecture is critical to overall resort performance. Facilities like the Tune Lab support logistics, maintenance, and operations that directly impact guest experience, proving that functional design is essential to hospitality success.

Who designed the Aspen SkiCo Tune Lab?

The project was designed by Z Group Architecture & Interior Design in collaboration with Aspen Skiing Company’s operational leaders, ensuring the design aligned with real-world performance and logistics requirements.

What are the benefits of centralized ski tuning operations?

Centralizing ski tuning operations:

• Improves consistency and quality control

• Reduces transportation inefficiencies

• Increases throughput and turnaround time

• Supports large-scale resort logistics

This makes it easier to deliver a seamless experience across multiple mountains.

How does industrial design impact the guest experience at ski resorts?

Even though guests rarely see facilities like the Tune Lab, these behind-the-scenes operations directly affect equipment quality, availability, and turnaround times—ultimately shaping the overall guest experience on the mountain.