Snow Sports In Colorado & Wisconsin This Weekend

Some of the first snow sports of the 26-27 season in North America are taking place in Colorado and Wisconsin this weekend as Aspen Snowmass and Trollhaugen ski centres both unveiled snow stockpiled from the winter and spread it back on their slopes to create temporary terrain parks. Both are temporary and this weekend only though.

Snowmass has opened a free public rail park this weekend using snow preserved in large mounds beneath insulated Snow Secure blankets. Despite Colorado’s warmest summer on record, around 85 percent of the stockpile survived, with temperatures under the covers never exceeding 42°F.

The remaining snow has now been shaped into a one‑acre, six‑to‑12‑foot‑deep pile to support a small early‑season setup. It also coincides with the final days of mountain‑bike trail access, giving visitors the chance to ski and ride on the same day.

Meanwhile in Wisconsin, Trollhaugen is celebrating their annual Open Haugen event using a similar methodology.  The resort covers their snow pile with straw and a giant tarpaulin through the summer.

As with Snowmass, Open Haugen is free and taking place through the weekend. Besides the chance to hit the snow there’s a community ski swap, ski shop sale, free and scenic chairlift rides and Hay Ride for a full tour.

There’s also a food and coat donations drive with donors having the chance to give back to the local community and earn a coupon to save on a lift ticket any day this winter.

Whilst Snowmass say anyone is welcome to turn up and have a go on the snow, the chance to ski or ride at the more established Oben Haugen went well in advance of this weekend with 300+ athletes securing their spots in advance.