This winter there has been a lot of snowfall in the Colorado Mountains. Everything is white and beautiful. However, for the international snow sculpture competition, snow made at Breckenridge Ski Resort is used. The snow is made with a specific ratio of snow to water, some of the best for sculpting. This January was the 30th Anniversary of Snow Sculpture Champions. Here we are in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Breckenridge festival 2020
This train is not part of the competition, but is snow glow art with light and sound, and sadly, operates only after dark.
Snow Glow Art, not in competition
We live less than 2 hours from here, and we will be home before dark. Let’s look at some of this year’s snow sculptures.
Team Turkey. Puzzle Circle
Turkey sculpted this Puzzle Circle. These creations are carved from a 20 ton block of snow that is 10 feet by 10 feet and 12 feet tall. Team India won Artists Choice Award with Triumph Over Evil.
Team India. Triumph over Evil
This year 16 teams from the USA and around the world competed. No power tools are allowed during the sculpting. Many teams make and bring their own tools. Just can’t find many snow sculpting tools in large stores. Team Mongolia created Social.
Social by Team Mongolia
Notice the details in the hands, fingers and fingernails. Amazing. Team China completed Bride.
Bride by Team China
So intricate. For environmental awareness, Teddy the Yeti is on display.
Teddy the Yeti
Zeb tries out this seating area.
Sit with Teddy
Nice, but a little chilly. The small humans loved this bench. Toyota sponsored this event.
Festival sponsored by Toyota
A very nice vehicle of snow. Snow blocks were made the week before sculpting began. Sculpting began Monday, January 20, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. and ended Friday, January 24 at 9:00 a.m. That is when judging began. Viewing continued through Wednesday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. The sculptures were taken down then. This year was cold enough, but some years sculptures melt and fall early. Breckenridge tries to prevent anyone from being injured by falling sculptures. Unfortunately we are not showing all the team entries. This post would just be too long, and it is rather long as it is. All of the sculptures were award winning quality, but let’s look at those that did win. Third place to USA Team Wisconsin.
Third place Winner. Duplicity of the Soul. Team USA Wisconsin
This is titled Duplicity of the Soul. You must look from both sides.
Third place winner. Duplicity of the Soul. Team USA Wisconsin
Energy flows through and each person must choose how to live their life. Second place to Team Great Britain.
Second place Winner. Nice to Meet You. Team Great Britain
Titled, Nice to Meet You, this should bring a smile to anyone that has ever owned a dog. Or perhaps, full blown laughter.
Second Place Winner. Nice to Meet You. Team Great Britain
Again this is best viewed from two sides. We will admit, we loved them all, but this from Great Britain is our favorite. And first place to Team Mexico.
First place Winner. Greed. Team Mexico
Titled Greed. We love these snow sculptures. Remember that Breckenridge is also a great ski area.
Gondolas to transport skiers to top
The gondolas take skiers up the mountain.
Rocky Mountains of Breckenridge
And the mountains are beautiful, snowy and very tall. Visit Breckenridge for snow sculptures, skiing or any of the other great festivals during the year.
Colorado Traveling Ducks 
Amazing sculptures – glad you were able to sees them.
They were beautiful again this year. Weather was more cooperative and none of them melted and collapsed before the judging. Was a beautiful day in Breckenridge.
If the virus thing ever gets straightened out before I get too old to travel, may make a visit out west. Might pass through on Amtrak! Have been through before, but it’s been several years…
Amtrak sounds great. But driving has advantages also. However you do it, I am sure you would enjoy seeing the west again. And seeing all the changes over the years.
Those are really great! We have a couple of ice sculpting displays here in Alberta in the winter,but I don’t think I’ve see any snow sculpting.
The snow sculptrues don’t last as long as ice, but they are fun to see. No power tools are allowed, unlike ice sculptures. These sculptures were crafted at a ski resort town, so artificial snow was used. The same snow they use as needed on the ski slopes. And all the snow is standard, so easier to sculpt. Hope you see snow sculptures next winter.
I was going to ask if the snow sculptures last all winter but you answered my question. The work in these is amazing and of course I always love seeing snow covered mountains.
The snow is beautiful, but not as long lasting as ice. Our high altitude intense sun doesn’t let any of them last too long though. It is fascinating to watch these being made. Such detail. The entire week of sculpting is fun.
We visited this too and were amazed by the intricacies of these sculptures! It was fun to re-live it now through your post, thanks!
That’s great. So glad you saw and also enjoyed them. Great memories, especially now that we aren’t traveling. Maybe soon.
Oh wow!! These are all amazing! I think Teddy is my favorite.
I loved them all. Teddy was great, but after teaching teenagers for many years, I did love the dogs getting to know each other. Each one has something special so we enjoy the entire group. And the week of sculpting is fascinating to watch also. You need to visit here during the winter and see some of these festivals.