SAM Magazine-Snowmass, Colo., Nov. 3, 2008-The snow blanket experiment at Snowmass ski area was a success. The resort utilized the blanket, called Ice Protector Optiforce and produced by the Swiss flooring firm Landolt, over the summer to preserve snow in the ski area's terrain park.

According to Rich Burkley, Aspen's general manager of mountain operations, the key question was whether the preserved snow could be groomed and reshaped into new jumps or had become a block of ice.

Well, it was groomable, and the resort hosted its first ever Jack-O-Lantern Jib competition on Friday, Oct. 31, as a result. The competition took place at the top of the Burlingame lift, which opened temporarily for the event. The resort's official opening day remains Nov. 27. \