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.

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