Ski Resorts Bank on Summer Snow Storage to Defy Climate Volatility

The technology, recognized as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025, functions by preserving snow generated during peak winter conditions. By covering these piles with weatherproof mats, resorts maintain an 80% retention rate through the hottest months. This approach sharply reduces the energy and water demands typically tied to late-autumn snowmaking, shifting the burden of production to the most efficient winter windows.

For major venues like Soldier Hollow, the investment serves as a strategic hedge. General manager Luke Bodensteiner noted the $300,000 deployment functions as a critical contingency for the 2034 Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, at Aspen Snowmass, the strategy focuses on operational sustainability and guest experience. Snow Secure CEO Antti Lauslahti reports that the company has completed nearly 20 installations across the continent in just two years, with active negotiations underway with 80 additional resorts. To meet this surge, the firm has partnered with SMI Snowmakers, scaling a model already proven at Finland’s Levi Ski Resort, where massive snow storage has guaranteed the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup opening every November for nearly a decade.