Each year, one of the most spectacular events in Summit County comes to life as artisans from around the world turn blank canvases of snow into amazing works of art. Whether it’s a whimsical bouquet of giant flowers, bears, elephants or bull riders, or abstract shapes, sculptors form such masterpieces before thousands of spectators – both tourists and locals alike – over the course of five days in the heart of downtown Breckenridge. What I am talking about is the Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships. In its 19th year, sixteen teams from Canada to Germany to Japan came together to present some of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring snow sculptures. All carved from twenty-ton, 12-foot tall blocks of snow, and using only the artists’ creativity, inspiration, own two hands and the permitted hand tools. No power tools, special colorants or internal support structures are allowed. Awards for the top three teams are based on theme, style and technique. Sculptures were also selected for the People’s Choice, Kids’ Choice and Artists’ Choice Awards. Team Canada/Yukon took this year’s Gold medal with its stunning snow sculpture of Native American elders dancing around the traditional totem pole. 
First Place - "Family Reunion" By Team Canada/Yukon Bringing home the Silver medal was Team China with "The March of Spring." This was an elaborate sculpture with a dancing fairy, butterflies and blooming spring flowers. 
Second Place - "March of Spring" By Team China Team USA/Wyoming took the Bronze medal for its humorous piece titled, "Trunks Optional" - an elephant decked out in goggles and snorkel gear, atop a diving board while contemplating a plunge into the pool. Notice too, the little frog spectator, probably wondering exactly what this crazy pachyderm is up to! 
Third Place - "Trunks Optional" By Team USA/Wyoming Both the People's Choice and Kids' Choice 2009 Awards were presented to Team USA/Alaska for its sculpture, "Alaska Viewmaster Trailer." This scene depicted a giant bear peering into a tiny camping trailer as if it were truly a view master. Remember those as kids? Perhaps that is why it made this year's Kids' Choice Award. 
People's Choice & Kids' Choice 2009 Awards - "Alaska Viewmaster Trailer" By Team USA/Alaska These awards were selected by spectators who could vote for a $1 donation per vote. The money, of course, goes back to support this amazing event. The Artists' Award, which was not actually announced during the awards ceremony, but instead privately at the Artists' Dinner and made public in a Summit Daily News article, also went to Team China's "March of Spring." Out of all 16 teams, only one experienced a bit of a tragedy. Team Canada/Ontario's sculpture of Adam and Eve standing under a tree gave way to unseasonably warm temperatures and collapsed just after judging had been completed. The only word that truly describes this event is, simply, “awesome”, as one walks from one sculpture to the next, gazing in amazement at the uniqueness of each one. In fact, while I agreed with most of the awards presented this year, there was one sculpture that should have caught the judges' eyes. I know it did mine. Titled, "Creations Dream" by Team USA/Loveland, this particular sculpture was not only intricately detailed, but thought provoking as well. Perhaps, you'll agree. 
Team USA/Breckenridge even had entered a sculpture in the competition that, in my opinion, should have received at least an "honorable mention," but did not. Titled, "Wheeeee!!" our home team's sculpture depicted a whimsical roller coaster ride, taking us back to our days of childhood. 
It’s also amazing to learn how this event is put together, the time, manpower and community effort that is put into it. To prepare for the event, the Breckenridge Ski Resort makes the snow and the Town of Breckenridge Public Works Department loads it into dump trucks to carry down to the event site. The snow is then blown into the 20 ton blocks by a huge snow blower. Because this snow is man-made, it is the same consistency throughout the block. After a couple of loads, about 5-10 people climb into the blocks and stomp the snow to pack it into the blocks. These “snow stompers” - usually volunteers from the community along with town employees – climb out of the blocks, wait for another load of snow to be dumped and then get back in the block and stomp the snow again, until the block is fully solid and ready to go. And how spectacular it is, to see a simple block of snow become an artist's canvas and transformed into just about anything imaginable. 
It is certainly all these great volunteers from our community and participants from around the world that make this event so spectacular. I learned that many of the “behind the scenes” aspects of this event were manned by volunteers, including merchandise sales, technical assistants, dining help, and even the Peoples’ Choice attendants. And the sponsorships from local businesses throughout Summit County speaks for itself. What a great way to give back to the community! Thank you Summit County for putting on such an incredible event. Blog By Christy Darling | 
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