Winter sports lovers eager to stake their claim on the Colorado snow and own some mountainside real estate will be glad to hear that Kor Hotel Group has announced the groundbreaking of the Viceroy Snowmass, minutes from Aspen Mountain.

The condo hotel will offer ownership opportunities later this November before their 2009-2010 snow season opening. The $1 billion development will include 346 condominiums near 64,000 square feet of shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants. Additionally there is 15,000 square feet of conference space, an aquatic center, and easy access to the 236-unit Viceroy Hotel.

The ski-in, ski-out condo hotel property in Snowmass is situated at the base of the Assay Hill lift, less than seven miles from Aspen Airport and 70 miles from the Eagle/Vail Airport. The property will include ski valet facilities, a 7,000 square-foot spa, fitness center, swimming pool, a 25,000 square foot kids club, a business center, casual and fine dining, and flexible conference space. Unit pricing information will be available this December.

Viceroy Snowmass will join the increasing number hotels, office buildings, and even destination clubs that have moved toward environmental sustainability. While the new development is over one million square feet, it will be one of the first LEED Green Building Rating System hotels in the U.S.

For a comprehensive guide to a nearby ski destination, check out Helium Report’s Luxury Guide to Vail, Colo.