After months of sunshine and warm temperatures, the mountains around Aspen are about to show a surprising sight: a patch of snow that survived the entire summer. The Aspen Snowmass organization wrapped winter snow in specialized insulated blankets back in April, preserving it on the slopes of Snowmass and Buttermilk. This weekend, October 3-4, the stored snow will be uncovered and turned into a public playground, allowing anyone with a lift ticket to experience a pre-season rail park without paying a dime. The event coincides with National Play Outside Day, turning an experimental sustainability project into a community celebration.
How the summer-saved snow was protected
In early April, mountain crews deployed a pilot program that introduced Snow Secure insulated mats across the upper reaches of Snowmass and the lower Bowl at Buttermilk. The blankets are designed to trap heat, dramatically slowing melt and compression. Drone surveys conducted on August 31 showed that roughly 85 % of the original snow volume remained under the covers after nearly five months, despite natural compression and a few melt events. While the Buttermilk stash will stay covered for the moment, the Snowmass deposit has been cleared for immediate use.
What the free weekend offers riders
From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on both days, the Makaha Terrain Park will host a series of rails, boxes, and jib features built directly on the preserved snow field. The setup is open to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels; beginners can practice basic slides while seasoned park rats test more technical tricks. Visitors without a season pass can pick up a complimentary lift ticket at the base of the Coney Express, which runs to the mid-station, allowing effortless access to the park.
Logistics and community spirit
Riders are asked to bring their own gear, walk short distances from the lift to the park, and then exit via the Snowmass Mall when they are done. The email briefing from Aspen Snowmass promises that “for two days, the snow belongs to the community,” emphasizing the inclusive nature of the event. Because the snow is a limited resource, the organizers have restricted the free lift tickets to the park’s operating hours, helping manage crowd density while ensuring that the preserved snow is not over-written.
The initiative also serves as a proof-of-concept for summer snow preservation, an approach that could extend the ski season or reduce the need for artificial snowmaking later in the year. By showcasing the technology in a public, high-visibility setting, Aspen Snowmass hopes to gather feedback from everyday riders and demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of retaining natural snowpack.
Local athletes, park volunteers, and even a handful of “groms” (young riders) have already been spotted testing the fresh rails, proving that a small slice of winter can be reborn even before the first snowflake of the season falls on the valley floor. The excitement is palpable, and the free nature of the weekend removes any financial barrier, encouraging a wide cross-section of the community to take part.
As the weekend draws to a close, the mountain staff will assess the condition of the stored snow and the wear on the rails. Lessons learned will inform future pre-season events and may lead to larger-scale deployments of insulated blankets across other parts of the resort. For now, the message is clear: with the right technology, winter can be teased out of summer, giving riders an early taste of the season and reminding everyone that the mountains are ready to play.
