Sculptors create works of art out of frozen blocks in Breckenridge.
Team Mexico took 1st place in 2024 with The Beggar, a commentary in snow on the pitfalls of wealth and bitcoin. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRECKENRIDGE TOURISM
Every January, a dozen teams of artists from around the globe gather in Breckenridge to hand-carve 12-foot-tall, 25-ton blocks of snow into massive yet intricate works, creating a frozen outdoor art gallery in Breck’s historic downtown. An important distinction here is that these are snow sculptures—not ice. But in a ski destination known for its light, fluffy powder, how do these artists carve snow as if it were marble?
“The snow blocks for our competition are considered by many to be the best in the world,” says Greg Gutzki, technical director for the International Snow Sculpture Championships. “We work with the Breckenridge Ski Resort to blow snow with the perfect balance of water and air for compactable snow that’s ideal for sculpting.” The snow is then trucked to the venue and poured into 10-by-10-by-12-foot metal molds with backhoes and an industrial snowblower. Volunteers stomp the snow layer by layer, like grapes in a barrel, creating a massive hard-packed block. “It’s hard work, but it’s fun,” says Breck local and volunteer Lauren Swanson. “It’ll get your heart rate up.”
Clockwise from top: Team USA Breckenridge took silver in 2023 with Ullr; Team Denmark’s 2024 Harmony Bonds; Team Mexico applies finishing touches. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRECKENRIDGE TOURISM
Working from small maquettes, artists use only hand tools—no power tools—to move, shape and carve intricate details. The tools include vegetable peelers, chicken wire and paint scrapers, but also custom-made chisels, saws and “pickle forks” designed especially for snow sculpting. The sculptors, working from scaffolding set up around the snow blocks, create whimsical works from dancing hippos to gravity-defying geometric shapes.
The 34th International Snow Sculpture Championships will take place from Jan. 20 to 29. The first four days are dedicated to round-the-clock sculpting, the final six for viewing. Free timed-entry reservations will be required on Saturday, Jan. 25 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). We think the best time to view the art is at night during the Grand Illumination, when the sculptures come alive under a shifting display of colored lights.
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