There is snow on the ground
Reimagining snowy slopes as more than personal playgrounds, Winter Park Resort, or in the Arapaho language. This transformative art installation, created in partnership with NativesOutdoors, reshapes perceptions by infusing Native roots and Indigenous history into a revamped snow stake, trail signs, and historical markers throughout the resort. This initiative, four years in the making, intertwines the allure of snow-packed mountains with the critical role of snowmelt in sustaining ecosystems. Crafted by Indigenous artists Jordan Craig and Vernan Kee, the focal piece at Sunspot Lodge showcases iconic peaks surrounding Winter Park—Longs Peak, Mount Blue Sky, Byers Peak, and Parry Peak. Beyond aesthetics, it sparks vital dialogues on water, recreation, and land within this significant watershed. The inclusion of the word in the art piece honors the enduring connection Indigenous communities have with the land, enriching the skiing experience with a profound awareness of snow’s broader significance.
