Our Story

From the Rockies to the Strip: The Construction of Dig This

In 2006, our founder, New Zealander Ed Mumm, was building his own home in the rugged terrain of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. While spending his days clearing oak brush, carving out roads, and digging foundations with a massive excavator, he noticed something strange. This didn’t feel like work. He was having the time of his life.

Ed realized that the thrill of commanding 20 tons of steel shouldn’t be reserved for people in hard hats and neon vests. He looked at the massive machines and thought: People would have a blast doing this.

Dig This® officially broke ground in Steamboat Springs on a snowy day in December 2007. The concept was simple but groundbreaking: Give everyday people the keys to heavy machinery in a safe, supervised, and high-energy environment.

The world took notice immediately. People flocked from all over to move mountains of dirt. We watched as doctors, teachers, engineers, and stay-at-home moms climbed into the cab and transformed into heavy-metal masters. The super-sized sandbox became a bucket-list phenomenon.

Going All In: The Move to Vegas

Steamboat was the testing ground, but Ed always knew where this story had to go. In late 2010, we packed up the fleet and set our sights on the neon lights of Nevada. We traded the snowy peaks for the desert heat, launching Dig This® Las Vegas in May 2011. Our first two customers were two women who proved what we already knew: the rush of hydraulic power is universal.

The Heavy Metal Legacy

From those early days with just two bulldozers and three excavators, Dig This® has grown into an international powerhouse. We didn’t just create an attraction; we pioneered a new category of entertainment.

We started with a simple motivation: The world is more fun when you’re the one behind the controls. We’ve spent nearly two decades proving it, one trench at a time. So, come on over. You’ll totally dig it.

Wreck Responsibly,
Ed & the Dig This Team