Every year in January, Breckenridge hosts the International Snow Sculpture Championships. It's an event I always look forward to. It's amazing to see these teams of sculpters transform 20+ ton blocks of snow into incredible temporary works of art using no power tools or internal supports.
The ice village on the lawn of the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge, Colorado
Visitors walk past the ice village on the lawn of the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge, Colorado
The ice village on the lawn of the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge, Colorado
The Uncarved Block: This is what the snow sculptures start out as. A 10 by 10 by 12 foot, 20+ ton block of snow. Breckenridge Ski Resort makes their own special snow for this event. The snow is filled into wooden block forms. Volunteer members of the community then stand inside the forms and mannually pack the snow with their feet. This creates a solid block of snow free of holes and cracks, and perfect for carving.
Team USA / Breckenridge - "8 Seconds to Glory"
From the official event program: This piece was inspired by the rodeo event that has now made its appearance here in Breckenridge. This piece represents the power of the life as it throws us in different directions. We are just trying to hold on and enjoy the ride so we can collect the glory in the end.
Team Canada / Yukon - "An Inuit Moral Tale"
From the official event program: Food was scarce, and a boy and his grandfather weren't strong enough to hunt. They decided to risk perishing. They tracked a polar bear. First the grandfather rushed him with a knife. The bear opened his mouth and the old man was swallowed. The boy charged with his harpoon. It would have gone badly for him too, but with one swift move the Grandfather slashed a hole in the stomach. This killed the bear, and the boy was saved. The meat was enough to feed them all winter.
Team Mongolia - "Mongolian Warriors"
From the official event program: In the 13th century Mongolian warriors were very powerful and courageous heroes. In this sculpture we aim to show the grim courage and cast iron will of the Mongolian warriors.
Team Argentina - "Caracola"
From the official event program: You are a shelter in movement. In your long journey you gather stories as secrets you keep. But when to the shore you get... You seem empty. You come accompanied by the sea and their whispers. Which reveal that you are by nature. You were a treasure refuge. And time has released your dreams.
Team Catalonia (Spain) - "Banyista Nua" (Homage to Picasso)
From the official event program: This sculpture pays homage to Picasso, one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Picasso was born in Spain and grew as an artist in Barcelona. History tells us that Picasso began with cubism while observing the houses of Horta de Sant Joan in the south of Catalonia. Picasso's work combined with the atmosphere of our sunny country inspired us to sculpt a woman naked on the beach. This design in meant to contrast with the snow and cold in Breckenridge. Perhaps, sculpting in snow with a "warm" theme may help our team survive the cold temperatures. Picasso forever!
Team Great Britain / Wales - "The Seven Deadly Sins"
From the official event program: Our sculpture is called the seven deadly sins and involves caricatures interacting with each other within a circular arangement. Each sculptor will take on two characters adding their style to the piece.
Team USA / Alaska - "Raven Myth"
From the official event program: Raven fell in love with Grey Eagle's daughter. Raven was a handsome man. He changed into a white bird, which pleased the daughter. When raven saw the sun, moon, stars and water hanging in the Eagle's lodge, he stole them, and fire also. Raven hung the sun, moon and stars in the sky. He kept flying. Carrying the fresh water and fire. He dropped the water. It fell into the ground and became the source of all fresh water. The smoke from the fire blew over his white feathers and made them black. That is why the raven is now a black bird.
Team USA / Breckenridge - "8 Seconds to Glory"
From the official event program: This piece was inspired by the rodeo event that has now made its appearance here in Breckenridge. This piece represents the power of the life as it throws us in different directions. We are just trying to hold on and enjoy the ride so we can collect the glory in the end.
Team Australia: "Emu Egg"
From the official event program: Emus are Australia's largest birds and share many characteristics with Australian snow sculptors. They grow to a height of 2 meters and take huge strides up to 3 meters long. They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel very long distances. They ingest stones, glass shards and bits of metal to grind food in their digestive systems. They drink infrequently, but take copious fluids when the opportunity arises. They are curious birds who are known to follow and watch other animals and humans.
The emu egg is a symbol of the delicate beauty and astounding strength found everywhere in nature.
Team Mongolia - "Mongolian Warriors"
From the official event program: In the 13th century Mongolian warriors were very powerful and courageous heroes. In this sculpture we aim to show the grim courage and cast iron will of the Mongolian warriors.
Team Canada / Yukon - "An Inuit Moral Tale"
From the official event program: Food was scarce, and a boy and his grandfather weren't strong enough to hunt. They decided to risk perishing. They tracked a polar bear. First the grandfather rushed him with a knife. The bear opened his mouth and the old man was swallowed. The boy charged with his harpoon. It would have gone badly for him too, but with one swift move the Grandfather slashed a hole in the stomach. This killed the bear, and the boy was saved. The meat was enough to feed them all winter.
Team Equador: - "Fossils"
Unfortunately this sculpture collapsed before its completion
Team Germany - "Shooting Star"
From the official event program: Nothing is lost, nothing is gone forever. This sculpture demonstrates the transformation that occurs when an object moves into another sphere (another dimension). The marvel of rebirth is given by this star's bursting into five points to become a new universe and to start a new future. That is the miracle of life.
Team Great Britain / Wales - "The Seven Deadly Sins"
From the official event program: Our sculpture is called the seven deadly sins and involves caricatures interacting with each other within a circular arangement. Each sculptor will take on two characters adding their style to the piece.
Team USA / Alaska - "Raven Myth"
From the official event program: Raven fell in love with Grey Eagle's daughter. Raven was a handsome man. He changed into a white bird, which pleased the daughter. When raven saw the sun, moon, stars and water hanging in the Eagle's lodge, he stole them, and fire also. Raven hung the sun, moon and stars in the sky. He kept flying. Carrying the fresh water and fire. He dropped the water. It fell into the ground and became the source of all fresh water. The smoke from the fire blew over his white feathers and made them black. That is why the raven is now a black bird.
Team USA / Breckenridge - "8 Seconds to Glory"
From the official event program: This piece was inspired by the rodeo event that has now made its appearance here in Breckenridge. This piece represents the power of the life as it throws us in different directions. We are just trying to hold on and enjoy the ride so we can collect the glory in the end.
Team China - "Happy Winter"
From the official event program: A Chinese family enjoys the advent of winter.
Team Estonia - "Koit"
From the official event program: This sculpture is based on an old fairy tale - Dawn and Dusk which depicts two lovers who can meet only two times in a year. The sculpture also shows us that everything has two sides - dark and light and that it is all in flux.
Team Mongolia - "Mongolian Warriors"
From the official event program: In the 13th century Mongolian warriors were very powerful and courageous heroes. In this sculpture we aim to show the grim courage and cast iron will of the Mongolian warriors.
Team USA / Breckenridge - "8 Seconds to Glory"
From the official event program: This piece was inspired by the rodeo event that has now made its appearance here in Breckenridge. This piece represents the power of the life as it throws us in different directions. We are just trying to hold on and enjoy the ride so we can collect the glory in the end.
Tean Singapore - "Love, Balance, and Community"
From the official event program: The Sculpture signifies how communities around the world can communicate with each other to promote peace, harmony and balance. THe merlion is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, used as a mascot of Singapore. Dolphins teach us that when we live in tune with the patterns and rhythm of nature, we learn how to truly be in touch with, resonate, and communicate with all. The dolphins and the merlion swimming together represent the desire of the nation in attaining peace throughout the region and the rest of the world