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, 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.
SnowGlow grew from the artists’ shared vision: transform the restaurant’s main bar wall into a living topographical map of the mountain itself. Sanford, a lighting designer and DJ whose portfolio includes stages for Bonobo and Glitch Mob, partnered with Hoke, known for his large-scale metal sculptures. Together they created a 24-by-8.5-foot artwork where CNC-carved acrylic panels mimic Snow King’s ski slopes, edge-lit by 55 meters of ENTTEC pixel tape.
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.
Result
