Silverthorne · Wildernest · Base Of Buffalo Mountain
Buffalo Ridge
Buffalo Ridge is one of the better values in Summit County for a turnkey mountain condo. It sits up in Wildernest at the base of Buffalo Mountain, with a deep amenity set, trail access out the back, and a price point well below the single-family homes down in the valley. There is one thing I clear up for almost every buyer first, so let me do it here: despite the name and all the rentals you will see, these are free-market condos. Anyone can buy one.
Written by Tucker Zimmerman, Summit County Realtor with Slifer Smith & Frampton. (303) 907-9129 · TZimmerman@SliferSummit.com
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Where
Ryan Gulch Road in Wildernest, up the hill west of downtown Silverthorne, at the base of Buffalo Mountain, bordering National Forest.
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Built
Late 1970s through the 1990s, in phases across several buildings. Wood frame, condominium ownership.
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The complex
A pool, hot tub, sauna, clubhouse, fitness room, tennis, racquetball, a game room, ski storage, and direct trail access to Buffalo Mountain.
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The units
One to three bedrooms, roughly 670 to 1,400 square feet, many with wood-burning fireplaces and private decks. Some are multi-level, townhome-style layouts.
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Free-market, not affordable housing
This catches people more than you would think. Because so many Buffalo Ridge units are rented out, both nightly and long-term, you will see the name attached to listings that read like apartments, and buyers sometimes assume the complex is income-restricted workforce housing. It is not. Buffalo Ridge condos are free-market. There is no income qualification, no appreciation cap, and no deed restriction on them. You buy, own, and resell at market like any other condo.
Summit County does have deed-restricted communities, and in Silverthorne that housing is concentrated at Smith Ranch, not here. The practical takeaway is simple: if you are a second-home buyer or an investor, Buffalo Ridge is open to you, and it is one of the more accessible ways to own near Silverthorne. Knowing the difference up front saves you from ruling it in or out for the wrong reason.
A lot of amenity for the money
The amenity package is the reason Buffalo Ridge holds its appeal. You get a pool, a hot tub, a sauna, a clubhouse, a fitness room, tennis and racquetball courts, a game room, and ski storage, plus a Summit Stage bus stop nearby and trails into the National Forest right from the complex. For a condo at this price point, that is a strong list, and it is a big part of why these units rent so well.
The honest tradeoffs are age and dues. These buildings date from the late 1970s into the 1990s, so condition varies a lot by unit and by building, and heat is typically baseboard with no air conditioning, which is normal up here. The HOA dues are on the higher side, which tends to go hand in hand with a big amenity set and, often, most utilities being covered. Confirm exactly what the dues include for the specific building, and read the reserve study, because in an older complex that is where the real story is.
Renting it out
Buffalo Ridge is an active rental community, both long-term and short-term. That said, do not assume a seller's rental setup transfers to you. Short-term rental rules in the Silverthorne area depend on the parcel's jurisdiction, so confirm it on the Summit County GIS tool, read the Silverthorne short-term rental rules, and check the HOA's own policy. A short-term rental license does not transfer when a property sells. Pricing and inventory move through the year, so I keep live numbers on the Silverthorne condominiums page rather than quoting a figure here.
Buffalo Ridge FAQ
Is Buffalo Ridge deed-restricted or affordable housing?
No. Buffalo Ridge condos are free-market, with no income qualification or appreciation cap. Anyone can buy one. Silverthorne's deed-restricted housing is concentrated at Smith Ranch, not here.
Where is Buffalo Ridge?
On Ryan Gulch Road in the Wildernest neighborhood of Silverthorne, up the hill west of downtown at the base of Buffalo Mountain, bordering National Forest.
What amenities does it have?
A pool, a hot tub, a sauna, a clubhouse, a fitness room, tennis and racquetball courts, a game room, ski storage, common laundry, and trail access to Buffalo Mountain. A Summit Stage bus stop is nearby.
How old are the buildings?
They were built in phases from the late 1970s into the 1990s, so condition varies by unit and building. Heat is typically baseboard, with no air conditioning.
What are the units like?
One to three bedrooms, roughly 670 to 1,400 square feet, many with wood-burning fireplaces and private decks. Some are single-level flats and some are multi-level, townhome-style layouts.
Why are the HOA dues relatively high?
The dues support a large amenity set and often cover most utilities in an older complex. Confirm the exact inclusions and the current figure for the specific building, and review the reserve study.
Can I short-term rent a unit at Buffalo Ridge?
Many owners do, but confirm the current rules for the parcel. Verify the jurisdiction on the county GIS, read the Silverthorne short-term rental rules, and check the HOA policy. Licenses do not transfer on sale.
Related Silverthorne and Summit County pages
Considering a condo at Buffalo Ridge?
I will tell you which buildings and units are the better buys, confirm the HOA and reserves, and give you a real read on the rental numbers before you write an offer.
Tucker Zimmerman
Associate Broker, Slifer Smith & Frampton
303-907-9129 (call or text)
TZimmerman@SliferSummit.com
soldinsummit.com/contact
