Park in our secret parking spot.
said my husband.
It turns out tdhat our secret spot was not so secret after all. We managed to get the last empty parking space. Not surprising as 30,000 people ascend on our little town for snow sculpture weekend.
The idea of turning blocks of snow into giant art began in the 70’s when a couple of Realtors created art out of snow blocks on Main street during the Ullr Festival. In 1991, the Snow Sculpture Championships became an International Competition. People say that because of the dry cold weather here in Breckenridge, we have one of the best Snow Sculpture Competitions in the world.
It starts with our world-class snowmakers from Breckenridge Ski Resort who pump out ultra-pure snow to use for the molds. Unlike the dry snow that skiers love, the sculpting snow needs to be slightly wetter and heavier, so it stays compact. It takes 5 nights of snowmaking to create enough snow for the 12 blocks. Then the snow is loaded into dump trucks and poured into giant 12-foot-high molds. Lastly, some brave locals get on top of the giant snow squares and stomp them down until they are perfect for carving.
This year’s Competition featured 12 teams representing 8 countries. I had stopped by during the last day of the carving and was amazed at the focus and intensity that these teams from Finland to Wisconsin were putting in, despite the fridged temperatures.
Please don’t call these ice sculptures. That is an entirely different thing. Where ice sculptures are created with electric saws, these artists use only hand tools and work with incredible precision to create the most detailed and intricate works of art you have ever seen made from snow. They carefully chip away around the clock for 5 days (94 hours) to transform a parking lot into an outdoor museum.
As we made our way through town toward the snow sculptures, snow was falling lightly and the park in the middle of town was lit up like it was still Christmas. Town reminded me of a Hallmark movie (I may have indulged a little too much during Christmas!).
Rounding the corner from the Riverwalk, you can see the lights before you see the sculptures. I had a slight tinge of sadness that like the snow on the ground, these amazing works of art are just temporary and will be gone in a few days.
If you are looking to take photos, it’s best to go during the day. But at night, the town lights up the artwork in a spectacular array of colors. Don’t worry about the cold. There are plenty of restaurants open within walking distance for a coffee or libation. Try The Blue Stag or Downstairs at Eric’s for a unique Breckenridge experience.
Want to see how they are made? Watch this video from gobreck.com