RB Exclusive Interview: From Slopes to Stages — Inside the Polar Bears Winter Takeover

The enigmatic duo known as Polar Bears have been taking over slopes and stages across the mountain resort scene this season, bringing chilling and electrifying energy to every crowd they meet. From packed après-ski sets in Vail to raucous shows in Aspen, they’ve quickly built a reputation for vibrant, contrast-rich tracks and live sets that keep audiences on their feet from start to finish. Their music captures both the excitement of the moment and the cinematic textures of their sound. We caught up with Zero and Snowball ahead of their next winter takeover in Flagstaff to talk origins, evolution, and the creative force behind the Polar Bears’ world.

Before the lights, lasers, and packed crowds, Polar Bears began with an idea — or more accurately, a question. We asked Zero and Snowball how this mysterious project first took shape and why feeling, rather than image or identity, became the foundation of everything they do.

“Polar Bears started as a question more than a concept: what happens if you build a project around feeling first — before anyone can label it, before anyone can project a story onto it?” Zero says. “We were less interested in starting a brand and more interested in creating a world the music could live inside.”

That world took shape naturally through sound, long before any visual branding or storyline came into play. Their recent release, “Look Back,” is a perfect example of that philosophy in motion. A track that moves effortlessly between introspection and exhilaration.

For Zero and Snowball, the music itself is the blueprint, and the identity forms around it. By letting the sound lead, they give themselves the freedom to experiment, to chase feeling without expectation, and to create a universe that is both cohesive and open-ended.

“There was a point early on where we realized the identity was already forming just from the sound — cold, bright, atmospheric, but still meant for real people in real rooms,” Snowball explains. “The mystery came from protecting that. When you leave the details blank, the listener fills them in with their own imagination, and that’s powerful.”

Anonymity helps them keep the focus where it belongs: on the music, the moment, and the vibe of their performances rather than on personas or expectations. For Polar Bears, being masked isn’t about hiding; it’s a deliberate choice that shifts attention to the work itself. “Being anonymous is a way of removing gravity from the wrong places,” Zero says. “It keeps attention where it should be — on the work, on the moment, on the experience.”

Creativity, for this duo, is a constant conversation. “One of us chases the feeling, the other challenges it, and somewhere in the middle it becomes something neither of us would have made alone,” Snowball explains.

Their sound mirrors both the collaborative dynamic between them and the moods of winter itself. It can be dynamic, unpredictable, crisp, and full of dimension. Zero describes the quiet stillness after a fresh snowfall as a kind of reset, a moment to pause and feel, while Snowball emphasizes that winter is never just one mood. “Storms, celebration, release — our music lives in that contrast,” Snowball says. By drawing inspiration from the environment around them, they allow the world outside to shape the sound inside. Even as they explore new ideas, Zero and Snowball remain grounded by a shared vision. Being aligned on intention allows them to take risks while staying true to the essence of Polar Bears.

“We’re aligned on intention, even when the sound changes,” Zero says. “That alignment gives us freedom to evolve without losing ourselves,” Snowball adds. This cohesion carries through every performance. Whether orchestrating an après-ski set for SnowHaus or planning the spectacle of Winter Laserland, their unified vision ensures that each show feels both spontaneous and intentional. Their upcoming SnowHaus set at Snowbowl in Flagstaff this Saturday will capture the essence of daytime après-ski, where mountains, movement, and community come together to create a shared vibe that carries the crowd from start to finish.

“SnowHaus is pure après-ski, mountains, movement, and presence,” Zero says. Snowball adds that it’ll be “extra snow machines, hitting the slopes between sets, and a full community vibe.” Then later that night, Winter Laserland at Orpheum Theatre, “is the spectacle,” says Zero. Snowball describes that “hundreds of watts of lasers, snow machines creating a falling glitter effect, and penguin suits everywhere” amplify the music and transform every moment into a visual and sonic celebration.

Even as they continue to take over slopes and stages, Polar Bears remain guided by their philosophy. “If it doesn’t feel honest, it doesn’t stay,” Zero says. “We follow curiosity. If something keeps pulling us back in, we explore it; if not, we let it go.” Snowball echoes.

Looking ahead, the duo is focused on evolution rather than a destination. They’re exploring longer musical arcs, deeper moments, while creating experiences for listeners to fully experience the energy of their music. Snowball shares that they’re exploring “more contrast, more space, and music meant to be experienced.”

Even as their sound grows, the question of whether their identities will ever be revealed remains intentionally uncertain. Zero explains that “the mystery isn’t about hiding — it’s about focus,” while Snowball emphasizes that they want listeners to engage with the music without preconceived ideas. Keeping themselves out of the spotlight allows them to maintain creative freedom and ensures the audience’s attention remains on the performance and the shared experience of the moment.

And don’t worry, even when the snow starts to melt this spring, their momentum will show no signs of slowing down. “Inspiration isn’t seasonal,” Zero says. Snowball hints that this summer, they are set to launch Polar Bear Swim Club, and will be bringing “the same energy to a different climate.”

Whether on snowy slopes, club dance floors, or under the summer sun, Polar Bears continue to turn their music into experiences that engage, surprise, and move every audience. You can catch them this Saturday in Flagstaff at Snowbowl for their SnowHaus set at Hart Prairie Lodge, and again later that night for Winter Laserland featuring Carrie Keller, Ekonovah, and more at Orpheum Theater. Grab your tickets here, and we’ll see you there!

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