Monday, February 6, 2017

International Snow Sculptures in Breckenridge, Colorado


On a  beautiful sunny day last week my husband and I and oldest granddaughter, plus some friends, drove up to Breckenridge, Colorado to view the 27th annual International Snow Sculptures.

All photos in this post will enlarge if clicked on, for easier viewing of details.


When we first moved to Colorado four years ago one of the first things we did was to visit the Ice Castle in Breckenridge--see this post--but since that attraction is no longer available, most likely seeing the annual Snow Sculptures will become a tradition for us. 

This year, International Snow Sculpture Championship was sponsored by Toyota and the sculpturing began January 24-28. Public viewing took place January 28-February 5th, 2017.  The abundant warm Colorado sunshine begins to deteriorate the snow sculptures after they are completed, even if the air temperature is cold, so viewing time is limited. 


The inaugural International Snow Sculpture Championships began in 1991 in the ski town of Breckenridge, and over the years the reputation of the event grew and it attracted many competitors from around the world.  The applicants submit drawings and the theme of the sculptures they hope to make and the top design teams, consisting of four members for each team, are chosen from those applications.


The chosen team of artists from each country are required to use only hand tools to carve their design from a 20 + ton cube of snow that measures 10 by 10 by 12 feet tall.  The teams do not compete for cash prizes, instead they are given first, second and third places medallions, and ribbons. The artists are given a stipend to help cover their travel expenses and are provided with lodging and meals during the competition.  It is definitely pride in their artistry, and the thrill of being chosen to compete, that motivates the teams!


The snow sculptures are located in the area around the Breckenridge Riverwalk Center, at 150 West Adams Avenue. During the sculpting week visitors to the event can vote for the People's Choice by giving a dollar donation for one vote. The money goes towards supporting the International Snow Sculpture Championships.


USA Breckenridge sculpture was entitled "Life Saver," and depicts the National Ski Patrol, first established in 1938.  It won the "Kids Choice Award" from votes from children who came to see the exhibit.



Mexico -- Xiuhmolpilli -- The Prehispanic Century


Team Sweden won the Silver Medal with their "4(Ever) Wheels Reflection." This sculpture depicted two cars tied together, and expression of both freedom and dependency.
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Turkey -- Wormholes of the Universe



USA Loveland -- Square Root


Team Mongolia-Erdene won the Bronze Medal for "We are One Family." This sculpture reflected the idea of animals coexisting with humans and nature.  This sculpture also tied with Mongolian-Tserendash sculpture below.


The second tie "Artist Choice" winner was this sculpture entitled "Before It's Too Late, Protect Earth From Today." This reflected the idea that protection of the earth and its animals are in our hands. This snow sculpture also won the "People's Choice" award from votes from visitors to the exhibit.



Great Britain -- Spiritual Beasts of the North Wind


USA- Vermont -- (What's Your) Sine Wave


Finland -- The Swan of Tuonela



Team China won the Gold Medal with their sculpture entitled "Mermaid" that depicted a mermaid swimming underwater among fish.


USA - Wisconsin -- Transcendence


Germany -- Process of Adaptation


Iceland --Ancestry in Ice


India-Callisto -- The Making


Italy -- Stop!


This sculpture of a Snow Cat Truck was built as an extra non judged sculpture by the staff for children to go inside and slide down a snow slide. Obviously, this was our granddaughter's favorite sculpture of all!

I enjoyed seeing all the sculptures and could not pick one favorite, although I thought quite a few were exceptional. Did you see one that you particularly liked?


After viewing the International Snow Sculptures we had lunch in town with our friends before we returned home. Breckenridge is a pretty town to visit any time of the year, and you can see more about it on my blog on this post when we visited it for the first timeor when we visited with relatives in the summer and went down the alpine slide and hiked on one of the mountain tops on this postor when we went for a sleigh ride on this post, or this past summer when we again visited the town with relatives and I also met a fellow blogger who lives in Breckenridge.  As you can see, we love Breckenridge!

I'm still editing photos from the Princess Cruise to Western Mexico that we recently returned from--hope to show you some photos from that trip on my next post.


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50 comments:

Handmade in Israel said...

How wonderful! I think "4(Ever) Wheels Reflection" is my favourite.

Maggie said...

I really enjoyed my visit to Breckenridge with you this morning, what a wonderful day out it was. Although the Chinese sculpture deserved to win I think my own Favourite was the one from Iceland.
Happy Mosaic Monday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Pat! Your granddaughter is a cutie! I love all the snow sculptures, they are all amazing. Great collection of photos.
Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Tanna said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Incredible talent! I think my favorite was the Before it's too late... but, then the mermaid swimming! And, the... and, the... LOL! Thank you so much for sharing these with us, Pat. Amazing sculptures!

I've only been to Breckenridge once long ago and I remember it as a wonderful place to visit. I might need to put it on the list. ;) Wonderful photo of you, hubby and oldest granddaughter! =) blessing ~ tanna

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That really is a cute photo of the two of you with your granddaughter! What a beautiful place to visit and make memories. I love the one with the mermaid but of course they are all amazing! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

So cool. I can see why Team China won the gold, amazing. I agree with others about that sweet photo of the two of you with your sweet granddaughter.

Tom said...

Spectacular, but for the time being I'll stick with sand sculptures. Thanks for sharing these cool artworks, stop back again.

Lorrie said...

I love the idea of artists working in different mediums. Ice sculptures are all the more amazing because of their certain future - melted! China's is so intricate, but for whimsy, I like the 4(ever) Wheel sculpture. Sounds like you had a great day!

Rajesh said...

Beautiful snow sculptures. The variety is amzing.

Snap said...

Too hard to pick a favorite ... although I really liked any with a lizard or dragon! :) I bet this was a lot of fun and wonderful that it was an international competition. Some very talented folks. Happy Monday!

Klara said...

what an amazing event! I love it. hard to pick a favourite. I am sure it was great fun both for artists as well as visitors.

Pamela Gordon said...

Wonderful snow sculptures! I like the one of the cars.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

It's been years since I visited an ice sculpture event and this one has so many beauties.

Linda W. said...

All the sculptures are great! What a fun event.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Pat, you and your family enjoy the most wonderful activities! I love the creativity of each sculpture. We have been to sand sculpture exhibits, but not to ice carving. I love the representation of all the different countries. I hope your week is going well. ♥

Klara S said...

Awesome! It's such a cool idea!

carol l mckenna said...

What a fun time for your family, friends and that sweet granddaughter ~ Magnificent snow sculptures and wonderful photography ~ thanks,

Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful Week ~ ^_^

Tamar SB said...

This is so cool!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I might have to put this event on my bucket list. Those sculptures are spectacular and creative.

Michelle said...

These are gorgeous! Some talented people were hard at work making these sculptures.

Jim said...

Great sculptures.

Al said...

That looks awesome - it's been a few years since I was at Breckenridge.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Fascinating sculptures. I don't think I could pick a favourite.

Rambling Woods said...

Oh my, those are amazing aren't they. I love them all and your grandchildren..I just put some photos up on Facebook with my almost 2 year old grandson and he did not like the snow in his hands...but he kept taking off his mittens....Michelle

Linda said...

I love the idea of a truck for the children,

Villrose said...

Great sculptures! Love the "Life Saver" and "Before It's Too Late, Protect Earth From Today."

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

While I liked the technical aspect of some of the ones that had so much snow removed and still remained intact, I personally liked the Mongolian-Tserendash sculpture and the one from China. Seeing them in person, I might have had different favorites.

Anonymous said...

Oh how I would love to see this event! Almost impossible to choose a favorite, but the one from Iceland speaks much to me! Great that your grand daughter and hubby could join you:) This "art" would be great for a little child! Many thanks for linking up these interesting and beautiful ice sculptures with ALL SEASONS! Have a lovely week!

Grace said...

What a lovely place and beautiful sculptures! Team China the Mermaid swimming with the fish was my favorite. Amazing work. The USA was my least favorite. Thank you for sharing. I would definitely have slid down the slide in the truck also. lol Weeeeee Grace xo

Barb said...

Your photos are wonderful, Pat. I took Amanda to see the sculptures on Sat and all the details were melted away. Glad I got to visit briefly with you and your group. Until next time - take care!

Ruth said...

This is impressive! I tend to be surprised by people who carved any materials. Not sure hoe they can achieve such an excellent. This is different from what I initially thought. For a moment, I was thinking about ice but this is snow. #OurWorldTuesday

Cheryl @ TFD said...

These are amazing! There is just something about the cars sculpture, so I'll choose that one as my favorite. I haven't been to Breckenridge yet, but I hope to visit some day. Have a nice week!

Cathy Kennedy said...

Pat, it was nice to see these beautiful snow sculptures from the warmth of my home. lol I'd like to see this someday. I think it's amazing how artistic folks are to use blocks of snow to create statues. My favorites were Team USA and Finland. Thank you for sharing and I invite you to you join my not-so WW hop. Have a fototastic day!

Sharon said...

Those are amazing, and so complicated! I've never seen anything like this. Thanks for sharing these photos.

California Globetrotter said...

Oh wow! Each one is more amazing than the last! Would love to see an ice sculpture show one day! #WanderfulWednesday

Fun60 said...

They all looked impressive. I have not seen snow sculptures before only ice sculptures which look entirely different. The vision that a sculptor has always amazes me that they can turn a block of ice or snow into something quite beautiful in a relatively short space of time.

Lady Fi said...

Great shots of those amazing sculptures.

Vee said...

Let me be sure that I am leaving a comment this time...have been here a few times and obviously am getting distracted. I have always wanted to visit one of these ice sculpting shows...they are amazing and totally fascinate me. Of these, I am drawn to the swan. Your little granddaughter looks as if she has an appreciation for the art, too.

Lowcarb team member said...

Your grand-daughter is gorgeous, love the photo of the three of you.

These sculptures are amazing, it's so hard to pick a favourite one - they are all so good.

All the best Jan

Unknown said...

Wow what amazing talent all the artists have - i love them all! All so original and just fab! I love the Swedish one with the cars perhaps a little more but it is so hard to choose! Will share this - I am sure people on my FB would enjoy seeing the sculptures too!
#wanderfulwednesday

Anonymous said...

I've never seen snow sculptures--these are amazing. Here in Virginia Beach, a similar program for sand sculpture is held the end of September. Loved seeing this. How nice you were able to move to be near your family. They grow up SO FAST, and now you won't miss any of it.

likeschocolate said...

So wonderful! The Iceland exhibit was pretty cool!

Rhonda Albom said...

A 10 x 10 x 12 foot block of snow is huge. The snow artists are very talented.

Jim said...

I have to agree with the judges, mermaid is awesome! Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration, see you next week!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

These are wonderful Pat. I can't imagine how anyone could pick the best.

We've loved our visits to Breckenridge with our CO family. I have never heard of snow sculpture events (of course we've never been there in February).

handmade by amalia said...

Thanks for taking us along, these sculptures are amazing. At first I thought to myself how could someone put that much work into something that would eventually melt. Then I thought to myself, how is that different from putting a lot of work into a cake :-)
Amalia
xo

Unknown said...

We have a snow festival in our town too and I just find it so fascinating to see the sculptures evolve in the process. It's really such a great art form!

Anonymous said...

This is on my CO must do list. I missed a snow sculpture Europe and I still kick myself for that. What a fun day.

Unknown said...

This looks like fun, and such a pretty cruise ship! My parents did something like this with the itinerary last year.

Pat Tillett said...

That is amazing! How in the world can they get such detail.