More than ten North American ski resorts, including Aspen Snowmass and Soldier Hollow, have adopted patented snow storage technology to improve early-season opening reliability and boost climate resilience. The technology, named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025, reduces energy and water typically required for late-autumn snowmaking by making snow during optimal winter conditions and covering it with insulation blankets in the spring, achieving an average snow retention rate of 80%.
Adoption and Investment
Soldier Hollow, the venue for the Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Olympics, invested $300,000 in the Snow Secure system. The system uses quick-deploying, weatherproof insulation mats to protect a football-field-sized snow resource through summer heat. “It’s contingency planning for a bad winter in 2034,” said Luke Bodensteiner, general manager of Soldier Hollow, in an NBC News interview.
Aspen Snowmass is the latest premier destination to implement the system. “The investment aims to reduce our reliance on early-season snowmaking, which translates to meaningful water and energy savings, and allows us to deliver a stronger guest experience for early season,” said Chris Miller, Aspen One’s senior vice president of sustainability and advocacy, in a Colorado Sun interview.
Market Expansion
According to Antti Lauslahti, CEO of Snow Secure, “In less than two years, we’ve completed nearly 20 successful installations in North America and more than 150 worldwide in the last four years. One resort can have up to 10 snow storages.” He added, “Our first three North American pilot programs from last year have all expanded their orders this season. We are currently in talks with some 80 resorts across the continent, signaling a major market breakthrough for seasons to come. We have partnered with SMI Snowmakers in order to meet growing demand in North America.”
Largest Project and Sustainability
Snow Secure’s largest project is at Levi Ski Resort in Finland, where snow storage guarantees the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup opening each November. Levi is entering its eighth year using the system, storing a volume 30 times larger than a standard pilot project. The technology provides a sustainability boost by reducing energy and water consumption, as snow is made during winter in optimal conditions and covered with insulation blankets in the spring.
