Description
Product Details
Product Type: Alumapress
Material: Aluminum
Print Finish: High Gloss
Frame/Edge: Black Float Frame
Sizes (Inches): 20×30, 24×36, 24×48, 30×60, Triptych 24×36 (x3)
Material Notes
The AlumaPress product features a dye-sublimation ink transfer to white surface finishes on aluminum. The white base infused print illustrates a traditional print appearance, adding depth and richness of color. This is a remarkably modern presentation playing up the unique boldness of metal with a super gloss finish. A protective, acid-free black coating is applied to the back of the infused metal and is completed with a black 1/2” recessed backing, and a black frame with concealed French cleat hanger to give it a floating effect within the frame when mounted on the wall.
Photo History
As a Winter Park homeowner for over 26 years, I was always struck by the behind-the-scenes magic that happened after the lifts stopped spinning. While most visitors were enjoying dinner or sipping cocktails by the fire after a day on the slopes, a group of unsung heroes was just starting their shift — the 24 members of the Winter Park and Mary Jane groomer crew.
Night after night, regardless of weather, they took to the mountain in their snowcats to smooth out the day’s chaos and restore the slopes to pristine condition. Their work went largely unnoticed, yet thousands of guests benefitted from their efforts each morning.
In 2014, I decided to capture this nightly ritual in a way few ever see — through a time-lapse photograph showing the groomers in action under the stars. I wanted to create an image that honored their work and revealed the quiet beauty of the mountain at night.
To get the right vantage point, I began scouting from the Water Board Road above the Lakota housing development. My goal was ambitious: combine the movement of the groomers with long, sweeping star trails, showing the rotation of the Earth above the illuminated slopes. I returned to the spot many times that winter, troubleshooting technical issues and, more often than not, battling Mother Nature.
Nights in January through March can be brutally cold — often below zero. I’d set up my tripod in a snowbank, carefully mount the camera, and just as everything was ready, the wind would start howling, shaking the setup or blasting snow into the lens. On moonless nights, I’d be working in near-total darkness to minimize light pollution. It was a test of patience and persistence.
Finally, during the 2015–16 ski season, I captured my first successful image — a black-and-white time-lapse that I debuted at the Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair, organized by Cheryl Day and her dedicated team. The response was heartwarming. Visitors loved the rare glimpse into the mountain’s night shift, and many took the piece home as a reminder of their time in Winter Park.
Not satisfied to stop there, I returned to the project in the 2017–18 season, refining my technique. I made more trips up to that same snowy overlook, chasing the perfect balance of star trails and groomer paths. That summer, the new image became a festival favorite, with prints finding homes and condos throughout the valley.
In 2019, Brent Moore — a local housing developer — visited my tent at the ArtAffair. He told me he had the perfect new location for my night photography, on undeveloped property with a direct line of sight to the ski resort. That fall, Brent drove me to the spot — and he was right. The view was spectacular.
Then COVID hit. It wasn’t until the winter of 2022 that I was finally able to return and begin photographing from Brent’s vantage point. Now living in Denver, I made several trips back up, timing them for clear skies. I went once in February and three times in March, trudging through snow and, later, spring mud to reach the site. The temperatures ranged from 15 to 30 degrees — cold, but manageable. I could shoot for about an hour before retreating to my car to warm up.
These are all long exposures, with the camera lens open for up to 20 minutes per shot. As March progressed, the snowbanks I’d used to stabilize my tripod began to melt, and the once-solid road became a muddy path.
By the end of the season, I had five promising images. I was looking for deep, elegant star trails, interesting light runs from the groomers, and a few starbursts from the resort’s stationary lights to add drama and depth.
I’m thrilled to announce that the final image — the latest version of Winter Park @ Night — will be available this summer at the 52nd Annual Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair, held July 11-12, 2026.
About the Photographer
Jim Saylor is a longtime Winter Park resident and professional photographer with over 30 years of experience capturing Grand County, Rocky Mountain National Park, and beyond. He has photographed in all 50 U.S. states and over 20 international destinations — always with camera in hand, always chasing the next great shot.
