Last year I finally got the opportunity to attend the International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado. I’d known about the event for years and wondered if it would live up to the hype.
We were booked at the Village at Breckenridge and our room overlooked the parking lot in which the snow sculpting teams were working on their creations.
We were lucky enough to stay for long enough to watch the sculptures as they were carved into their various final compositions.
As we watched the sculptures take shape over several days I was blown away by the size and intricacy of each piece. The photographs I had seen of this event, while amazing, just simply hadn’t done it justice. Seeing this event in person is truly astounding.
This year’s event International Snow Sculpting Championships run Jan. 18 through February 7, 2016. The ideal time to visit, in my opinion, is Jan. 26-30 while the sculptures are being created, especially Jan. 29 when the teams work late into the night to finish their pieces. Watching the sculptures come to life, so to speak, is quite astonishing.
Lots of other fun happenings take place around this event. Do not miss the Fire Arts Festival running January 28-31, 2016. Produced by the Breck Create the multi-day event features burning sculptures, workshops, fire performers, music and other pyrotechnic special effects-filled entertainment throughout the Breckenridge Arts District.
There are lots of things to do in Breckenridge and that’s why it’s one of my favorite Colorado winter towns. During last year’s visit we went on a guided snowshoe trek at the beautiful Breckenridge Nordic Center and I wrote about our outing here.
While in town we also hit up old favorites such as Angel’s Hollow (Mexican food with a Breckenridge twist) and tried Empire Burger for the first time. While good, I’m not sure these burgers were worth the unbelievably long wait for a table. That being said, we had an amazing breakfast at their sister restaurant Park & Main. I’d highly recommend this place for a delicious and affordable breakfast in Breckenridge.
Here’s some helpful tips about the Snow Sculpture Championships.
The sculptures are located around the River Walk Center at 150 West Adams Avenue. There is free bus transportation around Breckenridge making it easy to get around town. Don’t miss the history of the event on display inside the Thaw Lounge+Music. The exhibit covers all 25 years of this signature Breckenridge event. Feel free to talk to the artists. Most of the teams will take time to talk to the public about their sculptures.
For more go to GoBreck.com.
Thank you to GoBreck for hosting us on last year’s visit to Breckenridge during the Snow Sculpting Championships.