International Snow Sculpture Championships

Festival Location: Breckenridge, CO, USA

Festival State: Colorado Festivals

Festival Type(s): Art Festivals, Winter Festivals, Snow Festivals | Snow Events

By: © Nelson Taylor 2009

Once a part of Ullr Fest, this is now one, if not the, most prestigious snow carving events in the world. Held every January since 1991, sixteen teams from such countries as the U.S., Argentina, Finland, Russia, Mexico, Canada and The Netherlands, to name just a few, are invited to compete.

Chosen based on their snow carving credentials and drawings of proposed sculptures, each team is allowed 65 hours over a period of five days to scrape, chisel, and shape (no electric tools) a 20-ton block of snow into a monstrous work of art.

A panel of five judges then rates each sculpture on quality, creativity, originality, use of medium and expression of theme. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the top three. Other awards include Artists' Choice, People's Choice and Kids' Choice. This is a free event.