Budweiser International Snow Sculptures

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Sculpting Snow with Zeb the Duck

Let’s sculpt a 20 ton block of snow.   January in Breckenridge, Colorado brings the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.

26th Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships

26th Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships

We usually go to Breckenridge to see the finished sculptures.   However, this year mom is not working as a tax preparer, so we can go more often.   We watched the artists carve the 20 ton snow blocks.

20 ton block of snow. 12' x 10' x 10'

20 ton block of snow.   12′ x 10′ x 10′

When a team wants to compete here, they must submit a drawing of their sculpture and a description.   These are displayed during the competition.   Team Germany’s entry, Metanoia, represents the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self or way life.

Team Germany: Metanoia

Team Germany: Metanoia

Mongolia shows The Happiness of Family.

Team Mongolia: The Happiness of Family

Team Mongolia: The Happiness of Family

Motherhood is the most invaluable intervention for the personal developments and skills of any animal/person in the world.   The sculpture reveals the moment in which a mother teaches her babies how to swim.   Estonia sculpts Human Space.

Team Estonia: Human Space

Team Estonia: Human Space

This sculpture from Budweiser is not entered in the competition.   There was no drawing or explanation, but maybe…  This Bud’s for You.

This Bud's for You

This Bud’s for You

Mongolia won the position of two sculptures.

Team Mongolia: Lion and Butterfly

Team Mongolia: Lion and Butterfly

The Lion and Butterfly was being created here.   Team USA Wisconsin presents Dia de Muertos.

Team USA Wisconsin: Dia de Muertos

Team USA Wisconsin: Dia de Muertos

The sculpture represents the holiday of Mexican origin from October 31 through November 2, honoring and remembering those who have left this life.   Team USA Vermont presents Rhonda and her Recycling Robo-Octopus.

Team USA Vermont: Rhonda and her Recycling Robo-Octopus

Team USA Vermont: Rhonda and her Recycling Robo-Octopus

We loved all of these sculptures.   There are many more on display.   The judging Saturday, January 30.   The sculptures will be on display through Sunday, February 7, weather permitting.   We hope  you can go to Breckenridge to see these elaborate snow sculptures.   While we were in Breckenridge, we saw the horse cart.

Horse team

Horse team

Also, near the Visitor’s Center, I sat on this wagon.

Historical wagon

Historical wagon

Humans cannot climb or sit on the wagon, but I, Zeb the Duck, am small enough that I was allowed to sit here.   We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, love Breckenridge and hope to see you there to view the completed snow sculptures of the 26th Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.

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Snow Sculptures in Breckenridge, Colorado 2015

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, went to Breckenridge, Colorado on Thursday to see the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.

We love this event in Breckenridge, Colorado

We love this event in Breckenridge, Colorado

We went last year also, but this is one of our favorite events to visit.   We want to show you some of the snow sculptures we saw and admired.  Team Mongolia made “Nomadic Culture”.

"Nomadic Culture" by Team Mongolia

“Nomadic Culture” by Team Mongolia

Mongolian herders roam from one place to another searching for high nutrient pasture land for the livestock.  The Mongolians typically roam with carts and camels.   Team Mongolia also sculpted “On the Way to the Dream”.

Team Mongolia, "On the Way to the Dream"

Team Mongolia, “On the Way to the Dream”

This illustrates the strength of nature shown by the thrusting natural wave powering the boat, captained by two indigenous people whose heritage and future wish is to preserve and sustain nature with the advances of new technology, demonstrating respect for the environment.    Team Ukraine presented “Doves of Peace”.

"Doves of Peace" by Team Ukraine.

“Doves of Peace” by Team Ukraine.

Team Argentina created this sculpture “Don Quijote”.

Team Argentina's "Don Quijote"

Team Argentina’s “Don Quijote”

Don Quiote is a novel by Miguel de Cervantes.   This sculpture depicts Don Quijote on Roxinante, his trusty steed, with his loyal friend, Sancho Panza.   Team USA West Virginia, gives us “The Bear and The Fish”.

Team USA, West Virginia presents "The Bear and the Fish"

Team USA, West Virginia presents “The Bear and the Fish”

This is a polar bear balancing on a rogue ice cube while carefully studying a playful trout.   The trout was partially submersed under the water, with only his head and tail fin peaking out of the water.     Team USA Alaska presents “Cabin Fever: the Mad Trapper and the River.

Team USA, Alaska, with "Cabin Fever: The Mad Trapper and The River"

Team USA, Alaska, with “Cabin Fever: The Mad Trapper and The River”

This was the winner of the Kid’s Choice voting.   Team China entered “Winter Fishing”

Team China with "winter Fishing"

Team China with “Winter Fishing”

People from Heze Nationality, one of the Chinese minority, residing in Northeastern China, live on fishing during the winter. They still continue this tradition.   The first place sculpture was made by Team Lithuania.

First Place: Team Lithuania and "The Wind of Eternal Change"

First Place: Team Lithuania and “The Wind of Eternal Change”

The Wind of Eternal Change” focuses on water and the various forms of water.   The constant change is emphasized, and depicts life itself arriving from water and the survival of Noah’s ark.  Where will the wind of constant change lead this ark, our life, our humanity next?

Close up of the ark on winning snow sculpture

Close up of the ark on winning snow sculpture

We really liked this piece from Kaiser Permanente Health Care.

By Kaiser Permanente. Fun for kids and ducks!

By Kaiser Permanente. Fun for kids and ducks!

This is “Kids Interactive”.  This piece gives kids, and ducks, the opportunity interact with the art, be safe and have fun.   We saw these sculptures last Thursday and the judging was the previous Saturday.   You can see that our Colorado skies are bright blue and very clear with intense sun.   Of course, there was some melting.   If you did not see the snow sculptures this year, we hope you visit Breckenridge next year between January 26 and February 7, 2016 to enjoy the snow.   These sculptures are carved from block of snow, 10 feet by 10 feet and 12 feet tall.  The snow blocks weigh about 20 tons.   No power tools are allowed.   These are great!