In 2010, Snowmass Village was the scene of one of the most significant ice age discoveries of all time. Hundreds of people rallied to unearth thousands of prehistoric fossils from Ziegler Reservoir. Here’s how to immerse yourself in the Ice Age experience when you’re in Snowmass.
Pick up an Ice Age Passport and stroll the Village to visit art and educational pieces dedicated to this world-class discovery. Stop at each of the sites contained in the passport to gather clues and answer questions. Turn in your completed passport for a prize. Passports are free and can be collected & redeemed at the following locations: Snowmass Guest Services at Town Park Station and on the Snowmass Mall (open daily, 8:30am-4pm), and The Front Desk at Snowmass Town Hall (open weekdays year-round, 8:30am-5pm).
– Tunnel Mural
– Tower Mural
– Base Village Transit Center
There’s more to uncover! Check out these additional ways to explore the Ice Age history of Snowmass, from hiking trails to breathtaking viewpoints.
Three stations on the mountain are accessible via a hiking trail in summer, and on the Dawdler ski run in winter. To access the Discovery Trail, begin your hike up Fanny Hill, after about 1/8 of a mile you will see a sign for the Discovery Trail. Click here for a map. During the winter months, access is via the Dawdler ski run (green) which you can follow the signs from the mid-station at the Village Express lift.
Hike up the popular Rim Trail (South) and look back in time at Ziegler Reservoir, the site of the fossil discovery, from viewfinders perched at the top. This hike is popular for a reason with its stunning 360-degree views of the Valley, the reservoir below and countless peaks above. Free parking is available at the trailhead on Divide Road. Alternatively, free parking is also available in the numbered parking lots near the Snowmass Mall. For more details about the hike to Spiral Point, click here.
Visit Town Park Station to see fossil casts and explore the Visitor Center, a key resource for learning more about the Ice Age. This is your starting point for discovering more about the region’s prehistoric history.
For in-depth information about the plants, animals, and scientists behind the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery. Get all the facts and learn why the discovery is so significant to the scientific community by exploring this website.
Get up close with a mastodon in augmented reality! Click here to experience this interactive feature and learn more about these incredible creatures from the Ice Age.
