Snowmass Village, Colo., (August 3, 2023) – This summer, Snowmass Tourism, in conjunction with the Aspen Science Center, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Snowmass Arts Advisory Board, and others, is reviving the story of the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery, one of the world’s finest alpine Ice Age fossil finds, and an important piece of Snowmass’ history.

In 2010, a construction crew unearthed a single tusk of a mammoth while digging at Ziegler Reservoir in Snowmass Village. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science took over the site and went on to unearth more than 5,000 bones and fossils of large mammals and small vertebrate species including mammoths, mastodons, and giant ground sloths. The Snowmass paleontological site is the richest Ice Age ecosystem ever found at high altitude.

“We couldn’t be prouder to revive the Snowmass Ice Age story,” says Rose Abello, Tourism Director, Snowmass Tourism. “The initial discovery took the work of a Village, and this project of reviving the story was a Village-wide effort as well. It has been a pleasure to re-tell this story in new and unique ways.”

 “This discovery is such a source of community pride and encapsulates the spirit of who we are here in Snowmass,” says Bill Madsen, Mayor, Town of Snowmass Village. “The discovery also further distinguishes Snowmass as a unique destination – to think that this discovery was unearthed only 13 years ago is mind-blowing. There is so much we can learn, and are still learning, about this find and how it relates to climate change, particularly the effects of climate change at high altitude.”

Summer 2023 sees the debut of a series of Ice Age Discovery installations, each a blend of art, science, and nature, bringing the viewer into the story through a series of different mediums around the Village, on trails, and on the web.

• The newly launched Snowmass Ice Age website, snowmassiceage.com, serves as the hub for all Ice Age information and education. The website tells the story of the discovery, including the timeline of the excavation, the fossils found at the site, the geology of the valley, the people involved in the dig, and the scientific significance of the find. Presented in a playful way, the website includes interactive features and an augmented reality experience.
• The artistic expressions of the Ice Age Discovery are found on three unique murals on the Snowmass Mall and in Snowmass Base Village. Created by regional, national, and international artists, Jeremy Collins, Bunnie Reiss, and Kris Hewitt (known as Studio Kronk). Each artist was inspired by the excitement and significance of the discovery. Each piece depicts a facet of the discovery in their own unique style. Mural installations occurred in July on the Snowmass Mall and take place in August and September in the Base Village Transit Center and on the Tower on the Snowmass Mall.
• Hikers and bikers on the Rim Trail are taken back in time via a set of three “viewfinders”, found at the iconic Spiral Point, overlooking Ziegler Reservoir.
• Fans of Amiee White Beazley’s “Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure” can find the story laid out as a storybook walk on the Sleigh Ride Trail.
• The Discovery Trail, which offers stunning views of Ziegler Reservoir, is home to newly updated trail signs full of facts and pictures depicting the find.
• A display in Town Park Station brings visitors into the story of the Ice Age Discovery, and is home to the Snowmass Guest Services team, who distribute Ice Age Passports, prizes, and information about the find.
• The Ice Age Passport, a printed brochure found at guest services locations around Snowmass, brings guests on a walk through the Snowmass Mall and Base Village to visit each of the new Ice Age installations. Those who complete the Passport can redeem for a one-of-a-kind stuffed mammoth prize at Snowmass Guest Services, while supplies last.
• People moving around Snowmass on the Village Shuttles or the Sky Cab Gondola (affectionately known as the Skittles), can find engaging informational panels about different aspects of the discovery and include QR codes to bring viewers to the website to dive deeper into the story.

Each installation aims to balance art and science in a fun and engaging way, drawing back the curtain on the past. The narrative, designed by the Aspen Science Center, is meant to be appealing for all ages and interest levels, with fun facts on the installations around the Village and deeper education and storytelling on the website.

According to David Heil, president of the Aspen Science Center, the 2010 discovery in Snowmass was one of the most significant Ice Age discoveries ever. And to this day, research from this find is helping to significantly advance knowledge of Ice Age animals and plants, as well as global climate change. “These new online educational resources and Village installations provide the public with a fun and accessible portal into this discovery that has never before been available,” says Heil. “Visitors to Snowmass Village and to the new website can personally relive the thrill of this discovery and make a few of their own exciting discoveries along the way. Families and individuals of all ages can now explore this extraordinary fossil find first-hand, by walking through the Village, or going online from anywhere in the world.”

The reimagining of the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery in 2023 took the work of the entire Village. With leadership from the Snowmass Village Town Council, Snowmass Tourism worked with partners including the Aspen Science Center, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and the Snowmass Arts Advisory Board. Snowmass Tourism also involved the greater Snowmass community, soliciting feedback from community members, as well as partnership from The Romero Group, East West Partners, The Collective Snowmass, Viewline Snowmass Resort, and Snowmass Discovery Foundation.

“The Ice Age Discovery is as significant in our community’s history as ski racing is to this Valley,” continues Abello. “Just like we celebrate our ranching and skiing backgrounds, this discovery is just as much core to who we are as a destination. We are the stewards of this message, and we are integrating this story into who we are as a community today, looking to the past in order to look forward.”

Snowmass Ice Age Discovery is set to debut over the course of Summer & Fall 2023. A community celebration will be held August 11 and 12, 2023. On Friday, August 11, at 6:00 p.m., Snowmass Tourism hosts a free scientific lecture at Limelight Hotel Snowmass featuring Dr. Ian Miller of National Geographic, lead paleontologist on the 2010 dig, and David Heil, president of Aspen Science Center. On Saturday, August 12, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., join Snowmass Village Town leaders for a community celebration on The Rink in Snowmass Base Village. Activities include the opportunity to be the first to complete the Ice Age Passport Walk, learn about the discovery with education stations from Aspen Science Center, enjoy live music, kids’ activities and more, followed by an outdoor screening at 9:00 p.m. of Disney’s animated movie, Ice Age. For more event information, please visit www.gosnowmass.com/event/snowmass-ice-age-discovery-community-celebration/2023-08-11/

Check www.gosnowmass.com for more information and www.snowmassiceage.com for all things related to the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery. For photos and assets, please reach out to Sara Stookey Sanchez, PR Manager, Snowmass Tourism: sstookey@gosnowmass.com.

About Snowmass Village, Colorado – A renowned winter playground and vibrant summer community just 9 miles from Aspen, Snowmass consistently ranks as one of the best winter ski areas and summer mountain biking destinations in the world. Snowmass, along with the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley, is the first IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) Gold-Level Ride Center™ in Colorado, only the 5^th in United States, and one of only 7 the world. Snowmass offers guests incredible views of mountain vistas, in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness, open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants, 95% slopeside lodging, shopping, unique special events and music, and much more. For more information and a complete calendar of events and activities, please visit www.gosnowmass.com.

Snowmass Tourism Media Contact: Sara Stookey Sanchez, Public Relations Manager, Snowmass Tourism, 970-922-2285 or sstookey@gosnowmass.com.

Aspen Science Center Media Contact: David Heil, President, Aspen Science Center, dheil@davidheil.com.    

###