Aspen Snow Polo - The Sport of Kings with a little Powder

Annually, the Colorado mountain town of Aspen hosts a world-renowned snow polo tournament, a truly exclusive event that showcases the sport’s most glamorous and exciting aspects. What began as the first snow polo tournament in North America just over a decade ago has grown into a staple event of Aspen’s jam-packed social season and a key tournament on the global polo circuit.

The event has helped put Aspen on the map as a host for international sporting events, including the upcoming 2025 X Games, the Audi Ajax Cup, and more. Taking place this coming December, the Aspen Snow Polo World Cup is an exclusive experience not to be missed.

What is snow polo? Snow polo is an experiment gone right. Originating in 1985 on the frozen lake in St. Moritz, Switzerland, the sport of polo was adapted to suit snowy conditions and has been a global hit ever since. Snow polo is played on a smaller surface than its better-known relative, grass polo.

The sport relies on perfect temperature and snow conditions to host a unique and exciting game. The base must be made from hard-packed snow, and temperatures must be frigid but not too cold to chase the spectators away!

The player’s equipment undergoes adaption to better suit the unique conditions. The ball is larger, air filled and orange unlike the small white balls used for grass polo. Ponies are outfitted with studded shoes and rubber inserts to provide extra grip on the slick surface. While the ponies adjust quickly to the new conditions, players often require time to get accustomed to the different feel of the snowy surface and balls.

Aspen’s three-day polo tournament is the World Polo Tour finale and attracts some of the world’s top players to compete in the snowy surfaced arena. This year marks the 12th annual Aspen Snow Polo World Cup, and sponsors include Lugano Diamonds, Edmiston Yachts, Netjets, St. Regis, and the Sterling. Tickets always sell out, and purchase prices start at over $600 daily.

However, the tournament doesn’t just attract the who’s who of the global polo community; it draws the biggest stars from the worlds of fashion, entertainment, and sports. Last year’s event played host to the likes of Shaun White, Nina Dobrev, Zoey Deutch, Anna Kendrick and Nicky Hilton Rothschild among others. Mountain Chic fashion is on display during the three-day event, and the latest pieces, ranging from Chanel moon boots to beaver-felt cowboy hats are out in full force.

With the imposing 12,000-foot Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Rio Grande Park in the center of Aspen transforms into a first-class facility for snow polo…and partying. Thanks to title sponsor, St. Regis, the VIP tent is a testament to the brand’s iconic rustic elegant aesthetic. Down to the St. Regis tradition of champagne sabrage to close out the tournament action, the event truly embodies the St. Regis ethos.

As brand representatives point out, polo is a perfect fit for the company. The Astor Family, founders of the St. Regis brand, loved the sport for its ability to bring people together to enjoy celebratory moments, and nowhere is this more evident than at Aspen’s Snow Polo World Cup. The event is not just about the sport but also about the social connections and shared experiences it fosters.

Polo players admit that it’s a great way to showcase the excitement and glamour of the sport to a captive audience. The venue lends itself to spectator engagement, with the spectators able to get up close and personal with the action.

The best players in the world are on hand to show off their skills, answer questions, mingle with celebrity guests, and even take part in photo shoots and mini-lessons. The event, like other snow polo tournaments hosted around the world, has a unique ability to drive tourism with its glamorous connotations and ability to showcase the best of the sport. In recent years, snow polo events have become a unique status symbol even within the polo world.

For players, snow polo events are so rare that getting the chance to participate often comes down to one of two qualifications: paying for the team or being a pro.

Even then, spots are limited and sought after by the global polo community. Whether a player or a spectator, snow polo is one event at the top of everyone’s list.