Construction 'Theme Park' Teaches Nonprofessionals

Ed Mumm, owner and founder of “Dig This,” a Steamboat Springs-based construction theme park, has opened to the public opportunities for education and practice in operating heavy equipment.

Photo courtesy of ‘Dig This’

A new construction theme park has opened in Steamboat Springs where the public can learn to operate heavy equipment 365 days a year, regardless of the weather.

The theme park, called “Dig This,” opened in November and offers custom and corporate training programs on heavy equipment. The idea behind Dig This is to give hands-on opportunities to the “weekend warrior,” people looking to brush up on heavy equipment operation before tackling a job on their own property.

The inspiration for Dig This came to founder and owner Ed Mumm while he was operating heavy equipment to build his home in Steamboat Springs. After clearing trees and scrub oak, creating a road, building a pond and digging foundations, he realized the importance of offering the same experience to everyone.

“We’re the first to offer an authentic construction theme park,” Mumm said. “Participants test their skills behind the machine’s controls and are free to express themselves through the power of the equipment at our specialized snow- and dirt-moving compound. It’s fun, safe and very empowering.”

All courses begin with an operational and safety orientation. Participants then get behind the controls in climate-controlled, radio-monitored cabs and operate equipment at an individual worksite. Half-day sessions include two to three hours of total operating time on one piece of equipment. Full-day sessions include lunch and four to six hours of total operating time on two pieces of equipment. All dig sessions conclude with worksite reclamation. Participants receive operator certificates upon completion of the course.

“We are primarily focused on offering an alternative to traditional corporate team-building and providing a unique recreational activity, turning work tools into toys,” Mumm said.

Recent winter storms have produced large amounts of snow in the area, providing Mumm’s clients with a new outlook on playing in the snow. The nearby Steamboat Ski Area has received close to 350 in. of snow to date this season.

Dig This has been highlighted on CNBC’s High Net Worth. For more information or to make reservations, call 888-DIG-THIS. The company provides shuttle service to and from the compound.

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