Sculptural Light at the Summit
High above Jackson, Wyoming, a new permanent artwork transforms the Aurora restaurant at Snow King Mountain into a glowing beacon against the night sky. SnowGlow merges CNC-carved acrylic, steel, and 55 meters of ENTTEC pixel tape into an atmospheric sculpture that captures the spirit of the mountain itself.
| Client | Aurora Summit Restaurant |
| Type | Retail |
| Location | Jackson, USA |
| Products | S-Play SP1-1, 2 x Pixelator Mini Mk2, 14 x PLink Injectors, ELM, 55 meters of ENTTEC 12V RGBW 60-LEDs/m SPI tape |
| Year | 2025 |
| Project credits | Project Designers: Bland Hoke & Dan Sanford Lighting Designer: Dan Sanford Cinematography: Ryan Brim Photography: Mark Riegel |
Snow King Mountain has been Jackson Hole’s “town hill” since 1939. When Aurora restaurant opened at the 7,800-foot summit in 2025, the venue commissioned local artists Bland Hoke and Dan Sanford to create a permanent lighting installation that would match its elevated ambitions.
Bland Hoke, known for his bespoke multidisciplinary art installations and sculptures, was commissioned by Snow King Mountain to create the main art piece for their new summit building. During the process of designing the art piece to transform the restaurant’s main wall behind the bar into an artistic topographical design, Hoke decided to bring on Sanford who is known for his expertise in lighting.
Dan Sanford, a Lighting Designer and VJ whose portfolio includes stages for Bonobo and Glitch Mob, then partnered with Hoke to complete the project. Hoke designed a 24ft by 8.5ft artwork, custom layered, cut, grind, patinaed steel, as well as, CNC carved acrylic panels mimic Snow Kings ski slopes. These were then edge lit with 55 meters of ENTTEC PIXEL TAPE.
As for the lighting control, Sanford turned to ENTTEC—gear he’s relied on for over a decade. “The first ENTTEC gear I bought was about 10 years ago, and I’ve loved it ever since,” Sanford explained. That trust in reliability made ENTTEC the clear choice for a permanent installation exposed to the elements.
Solution
Controls.
Powered by S-Play SP1-1, 2 x Pixelator Mini Mk2, 14 x PLink Injectors and ELM (ENTTEC LED Mapper) software
Lights.
55 meters of ENTTEC 12V RGBW 60-LEDs/m SPI tape
The installation leverages ENTTEC’s ecosystem of pixel control products working in concert:
S-Play SP1-1 serves as the brain of the operation, storing and playing back programmed light shows autonomously. This ensures SnowGlow continues performing even without network connectivity—critical for a mountaintop location.
2 Pixelator Mini Mk2s handle the heavy lifting of pixel processing, each managing up to 32 universes of control. With 55 meters of RGBW tape at 60 pixels per meter, the dual Pixelators ensure smooth, synchronized effects across all 3,300 pixels without bottlenecks.
14 PLink Injectors solve the challenge of long cable runs by regenerating data signals and injecting power exactly where needed. Hidden throughout the sculpture’s framework, they maintain consistent brightness and data integrity across the entire installation.
ENTTEC 12V RGBW 60-LEDs/m Pixel Tape provides the visual output—55 meters of high-density, individually addressable RGBW LEDs. The tape’s robust construction and silicone coating handle temperature extremes from -20°F to 90°F, essential for year-round operation at altitude.
The system communicates via Art-Net, allowing Sanford to connect his DJ controller for live performances or update show files remotely. During regular operation, the S-Play SP1-1 cycles through programmed scenes—warm sunset hues transitioning to cool mountain blues, creating an ever-changing backdrop that enhances the dining experience.
The completed installation operates reliably through extreme mountain weather while providing dynamic visual interest throughout the evening. SnowGlow demonstrates how ENTTEC’s professional-grade pixel control systems can deliver museum-quality results in demanding environments, ensuring this mountaintop artwork will continue illuminating Aurora for years to come.
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Result
