The Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships
Over the past week teams from all over the world have gathered in Breckenridge, Colorado to compete for the Gold Medal, a year of bragging rights, and some cool prizes at the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships. This event is an annual scene for the town of Breck, and draws in a very eclectic crowd. High stakes and extreme weather are just a few of the challenges poised by the competition, which is hosting 16 teams from across the globe this year. The selection process in itself is demanding. Teams are selected to compete based on past performances, team resume, submission sketches and overall sculpting experience.
Each team starts with a colossal block of snow that is 12 feet tall and weighs around 20 tons. The sculpting kicks off with a bang; literally, a ceremonial gunshot is fired at 11:00 am on January 21st and every sculptor works relentlessly day and night until January 26th at 10:00 am. Leaving every team only 65 hours to work their magic and create monstrous pieces of art. The artists work using only hand tools and no internal support structures. They must beat the clock, Mother Nature and mystify the judges.
Gold Medal Winner Team Breckenridge
The award ceremony took place this past Saturday at 3:30 p.m. crowning Team Breckenridge as the Gold Medal winner with their masterpiece entitled “Winter Fun.” It depicts a father and son with their dog tubing down a snowy mountain hill created by Ullr, the god of snow, himself.
This week kicks of the viewing week for the sculptures. The art is free for all spectators and admirers. You can mingle with the artists and see all of the winners and notable mentions, such as the artist’s choice award, given to Team Germany for their work entitled “Apecheta — The Source Where the Flow Begins.” The sculptures are open to the public day and night. As the sun sets beautiful colored lighting beams up the sculptures adding to the mesmerizing ambiance of these massive beauties.
The snow sculptures are located in the Riverwalk parking lot. Once you enter the town of Breck head south on Highway 9 and the snow sculptures will be to your left just on the south side of the Riverwalk Center and lawn, it will be hard to miss them.
The Deets:
Sculptures for everyone in Breck
Where?
- Breckenridge, Colorado – Riverwalk Center Parking Lot
When?
- Snow Sculpture Championship 1/21/14-1/25/14
- Snow Sculpture Viewing Week (weather permitting) 1/26/14-2/2/14
Winners?
- Gold Medal: Team Breckenridge – “Winter Fun”
- Silver Medal: Team Germany -“Apecheta — The Source Where the Flow Begins”
- Bronze Medal: Team USA-Wisconsin -“Wanderer”
- Artist’s Choice Award: Team Germany -“Apecheta — The Source Where the Flow Begins”
Tickets?
- FREE Event
Parking?
- Parking is available and majority free, pending time limits, throughout downtown Breckenridge
- Free public transportation is also available throughout the town from 6:15 a.m. to 11:45 p.m
Extra Goodies?
- Town of Breckenridge, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Lake Dillon, Alma, Ten Mile Range, Summit County