Aspen World Snow Polo Championship Returns to Rio Grande Park in December
Snow Polo, a cherished winter tradition in Aspen, will return to Rio Grande Park on Dec. 18 and 19.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event, which has been organized by the Aspen Valley Polo Club for the past 12 years. The event continues to attract top-tier players and enthusiastic spectators to its snow-covered field.
The unique sport, introduced in 1985 by Swiss hotelier Reto Gaudenzi on a frozen lake in St. Moritz, Switzerland, has found an exclusive U.S. home in Aspen. Each December, the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship showcases the thrilling blend of sport, community, and winter magic.
“Aspen Valley Polo Club has been in the valley for 13 years and doing the snow polo event for 12 years,” said Greg Kiner, the club’s director. “In the summertime, we are in Aspen and Carbondale, but in the winter, we do this one snow polo event in Aspen.”
Before moving to Rio Grande Park, the event was held at the Marolt Open Space.
Snow polo features teams of three players competing with a larger, lighter inflatable ball designed for visibility on snow. Horses wear cleated shoes for traction, and matches are played in four fast-paced, seven-minute chukkers.
“When we play in sand or on snow, we use a larger, inflatable ball, as compared to a regular match ball, which is smaller and harder,” Kiner explained. “The ball is lighter than a dodgeball when we blow it up. They fly pretty far, but they are not hard.”
City staff approved the event application, requiring adequate snow coverage to protect Rio Grande Park’s grass. Given Aspen’s recent history of insufficient natural snowfall in December, compared to that of 20 or 30 years ago, the club has partnered with the Aspen Skiing Company for artificial snowmaking for the past 12 years.
“We used to hold the event at Wagner Park but switched to Rio Grande Park, which is a much better location,” Kiner said. “SkiCo provides snowcats to spread snow, and city staff coordinate operations, typically starting ten days before the event.”
Snowmaking depends on outdoor temperatures and river flow conditions. Water will be sourced near City Hall, temporarily closing Rio Grande Place overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
“For over a decade now, the city has asked Snow Polo to cover Rio Grande Park with man-made snow to protect the field from damage during the event,” said Parks and Open Space Director Matt Kuhn. “This also provides a safe and solid surface for the players and horses to play on.”
Kuhn emphasized efforts to minimize community disruptions, including maintaining access to parking and using quiet snowmaking equipment.
The Aspen Utilities Department has outlined strict conditions for snowmaking to ensure sustainable water use.
“Water is a precious resource in this community, and we strive to work with the event team to ensure that the minimum level of snow is made as efficiently as possible,” he said. “The department monitors in-stream flows for Castle Creek, ensuring snowmaking stops if flows in Castle Creek drop below 12 cfs.
Event organizers will cover all associated costs, including water, materials, and labor while implementing measures to prevent runoff and ensure accurate metering.
This year’s operations benefit from the lifting of Aspen’s Stage One Water Shortage declaration on Oct. 1.
For two decades, snow polo has been a hallmark of Aspen’s winter season, blending sport, and community spirit in a stunning snowy setting.
As Kiner put it, “This event wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of the city, SkiCo, and the Aspen Valley Polo Club’s dedication to bringing polo to the snow.”