SNOWMASS VILLAGE- Parking issues have plagued Snowmass Village for some time, but with lowered parking fees and a newly integrated skier shuttle, previously teeming lots will hopefully lighten their loads this season.

RFTA has recently unveiled its new cheaper and faster inter-mountain transfer system. They have combined the regular service with the free Village Shuttle routes. Now, instead of having to catch the shuttle at specific stops, skiers hopping between the four mountains can thumb a bus down at any RFTA stop.

Not only does this mean more regular service, it’s all free.

Free bus service between Aspen and Snowmass Village begins at 6:15 a.m. and continues at a minimum on a 15-minute schedule until 2:15 a.m. Between the after-skiing hours of 5 - 7:30 p.m., there are departures every seven minutes.

The Snowmass Direct bus shuttles skiers between Aspen’s Rubey Park and the Snowmass Mall. This bus will also take you to Buttermilk or transfer you to a bus to Aspen Highlands upon request. Local buses provide service to the Intercept Lot at Highway 82, where riders will transfer either to the upvalley RFTA bus into Aspen or to the shuttle into Snowmass.

Anxious to hit the superpipe at Buttermilk? There is another, direct route to Buttermilk. It leaves Snowmass daily at 10 minutes past the hour. If you decide to slip away for a day and ski a different mountain, the shuttle between Snowmass and Aspen Highlands starts running Dec. 8. It leaves the Snowmass Mall at 9 a.m. and from the Highlands at 3:30 p.m. If you decide to come back to Snowmass mid-day, you can always transfer in Aspen.

The buses are not the only form of transportation to become less expensive. Once again, the Rodeo Lot is absolutely free. In addition, parking in the Two Creeks lot has dropped its price to $5 during the week and $10 over the weekends

Cars carrying four passengers or more, drivers can enjoy free parking; the green efforts of carpooling are greatly appreciated by the town.

Other Snowmass parking options include Lot C in Base Village, Lot E at the Divide and the Mall Lot. To park at the Mall you must have a parking permit, while lots C and E are $13 per car. As always, cars with four or more park for free.