Best Practices For Winterizing Your In-Ground Trampoline

Winterizing an in-ground trampoline is mostly about water: keeping it out of the pit, off the mat, and away from the springs before the first hard freeze.

Unlike an above-ground model, an in-ground trampoline sits in a pit with a retaining wall and drainage underneath, so winter prep covers what’s below the mat as much as what’s on top of it. How much work you need depends on where you live. Most Phoenix-area yards only need a good fall cleanup, while homes in freeze and snow country need the full routine.

Here’s the quick version:

• Clear the pit and check your drainage or sump pump before the first freeze.
• Clean the mat and pads, then let everything dry completely.
• Inspect the springs and frame and treat them with a silicone lubricant.
• Use a weather cover made for in-ground trampolines and anchor it tight.
• Sweep snow off with a soft broom, and never jump on a frozen mat.

Why Winterizing An In-Ground Trampoline Is Different

An above-ground trampoline is a frame on legs. When winter hits, you worry about wind, rust, and snow on the mat. An in-ground trampoline takes wind mostly off the table because it sits flush with your yard, but it adds three things an above-ground model doesn’t have: a pit, a retaining wall that holds the soil back, and a drainage system that keeps water from collecting under the mat.

Those buried parts are where winter damage usually starts: water freezes in the pit, wet soil pushes on the wall, and fall debris gives moisture and critters a place to settle. If you haven’t looked at how your pit handles water, our guide to drainage solutions for in-ground trampolines is a good place to start.

A pit that was dug, walled, and drained right on day one is much easier to get through winter. That’s the part customers tend to notice first:

How To Gauge Your Winter Risk Before You Winterize

Your routine depends on your climate. Here’s how we’d sort it:

• Mild winters (most of the Phoenix metro): Freezing weather is rare here. Based on 1991 to 2020 data, Phoenix normally sees a freeze about once a year. Your focus is cleanup, drainage, and keeping the mat dry after winter rains.
• Freeze and thaw zones (Tucson and higher-elevation towns): Cold nights followed by sunny days mean water in the pit can freeze and thaw over and over. Drainage matters most here.
• Snow country (Arizona’s high country and colder states): Expect snow on the mat and a frozen pit if water can’t escape. You’ll need the full routine below, plus a plan for snow.
• High water table or sump pump installs: Anywhere groundwater can seep into the pit, the pump and its discharge line become your top priority.

Soil type matters too. Fine soils that hold water, like silt and clay, are the most prone to frost heave. Frost heave isn’t just water expanding as it freezes. Capillary action pulls water toward the freezing ground, where it builds up in layers of ice called ice lenses that lift and push the soil, as InterNACHI explains.

Around a trampoline pit, that movement can shift the retaining wall and stress the frame.

Step-By-Step Best Practices For Winterizing Your In-Ground Trampoline

Do this in the fall, before the first freeze.

Step 1: Check Your Drainage And Sump Pump

Start at the bottom of the pit. Standing water, silt buildup, or leaves blocking the drain are problems to fix now, not in January. If your install has a sump pump, clean out the basin and make sure the pump switches on.

Then walk the discharge line. If water sits in that pipe and freezes, the pump can run against the blockage, burn out, and leave the pit to flood and freeze solid. Make sure the line runs downhill and empties well away from the pit. See also our post on drainage options for monsoon season.

Step 2: Clean The Mat, Pads, And Pit

Leaves and dirt left on the mat hold moisture against the fabric and pads all winter, which invites mold and wears the material down faster. Sweep everything off, then pull out any debris that has collected in the pit.

Wash the mat and pads with warm water and a mild soap, nothing harsh. Let everything dry completely before it goes under a cover, because trapped moisture undoes the whole point. Good airflow under the mat helps here, which is why ventilation matters for in-ground installs.

Step 3: Inspect And Lubricate The Springs And Frame

Fold back the safety pads and look over the frame and every spring. You’re checking for surface rust, damaged welds, and springs that look stretched or have lost their snap. Worn parts are easier to swap out now than mid-winter, and you can find replacement springs, mats, and pads in our shop.

Spray the frame joints and spring hooks with a silicone lubricant. It helps fight rust and keeps springs from seizing or squeaking. For a complete inspection list, use our guide to regular in-ground trampoline checks.

Step 4: Secure The Pads And Add A Weather Cover

A breathable weather cover keeps snow, rain, and debris off the mat while still letting air move underneath, which cuts down on condensation. Because an in-ground trampoline sits flush with the ground, a standard above-ground cover won’t fit right. Use a cover made for your model and anchor it so wind can’t catch the edges.

Seat your pads properly first. Vented frame pads help air move in and out of the pit, which matters just as much under a winter cover. See what to look for in in-ground trampoline covers.

Keeping Wildlife Out Of Your In-Ground Trampoline Pit This Winter

When it gets cold, the sheltered space under a trampoline mat looks like a great place to spend the winter. Mice will nest in a pit full of leaves and chew pad foam for bedding.

The fix is mostly housekeeping. Clear the pit of leaves and debris so there’s nothing to nest in, and keep your cover snug around the edges. If you think something has already moved in, don’t seal it inside. Humane World for Animals recommends checking the area daily after you close off a space an animal has been using, so nothing ends up trapped.

Handling Snow, Ice, And Frost On An In-Ground Trampoline

A trampoline is built for the moving load of people jumping, not for heavy, wet snow sitting on it for weeks. That constant load keeps the springs under tension and can stretch them over time, so they lose their bounce.

During snowy stretches, clear the mat after each storm with a soft-bristled push broom. Never use a metal shovel, since the edge can cut right through the woven mat.

Never Jump On A Frozen Mat

Jump mats are typically woven polypropylene, which gets stiffer and less forgiving in freezing temperatures. Jumping on a frozen or icy mat puts concentrated stress on those cold fibers and can start small tears that grow over time. It’s also a slip hazard. If ice forms, let it melt on its own.

Can You Use Your In-Ground Trampoline In Winter?

Often, yes. In the Phoenix area, plenty of winter afternoons are perfect jumping weather, and a backyard trampoline tends to get used all year:

Wherever you live, skip jumping when:

• Temperatures are at or below freezing (32°F).
• There’s ice, frost, or snow on the mat.
• The surface is wet or slippery.
• The cover is still partly on or the pads aren’t fully in place.

Our guide to long-term in-ground trampoline care has more year-round habits, and for Arizona owners, summer is actually the harder season, which we cover in protecting your trampoline during Arizona summers.

Your In-Ground Trampoline Winterizing Checklist

In-Ground Trampoline Winterizing FAQs

Do I Need To Run My Sump Pump In Freezing Weather?

When the ground is frozen solid, water usually isn’t seeping in. During snowmelt and freeze and thaw swings, though, the pump needs to clear water before it freezes. Keep the discharge line clear all winter.

Should I Take The Mat Off For Winter?

In mild or moderate climates, cleaning the mat and using a snug weather cover is enough. In places with long, hard freezes and heavy snow, the safest option is to unhook the springs and store the mat indoors until spring.

Can I Use An Above-Ground Cover On My In-Ground Trampoline?

No. In-ground covers sit flush, work with the safety pads, and keep water from pooling. Use one made for your trampoline’s size and model.

How Often Should I Clear Snow Off My Trampoline?

After each storm, before the snow packs down or turns to ice. Use a soft-bristled broom.

Do I Need To Winterize An In-Ground Trampoline In Phoenix?

You need a lighter version. Freezes are rare in the Valley, so focus on clearing leaves from the pit, checking drainage before winter rains, and cleaning and drying the mat and pads.

When Should I Winterize My In-Ground Trampoline?

In the fall, after most leaves drop and before overnight lows hit freezing. In the Phoenix area, that’s usually after monsoon season and before winter rains.

Get Your In-Ground Trampoline Winter-Ready

A little prep in the fall keeps your trampoline ready to go the day the weather turns. Whether you need replacement parts, a new cover, or advice on the setup you already have, our team can help.

Call us at (800) 414-2001 or contact The Jump Shack to talk with a specialist.

The Jump Shack

1528 W San Pedro St #4
Gilbert, AZ 85233
Tel: (800) 414-2001
Email: [email protected]
Website: aztrampoline.com