INTERNATIONAL SNOW SCULPTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The International Show Sculpting Championships are just one of many reasons people love it here in Breckenridge. Find out more about why people love Breckenridge HERE.
Snow artists from around the world will compete Jan. 27 through Jan. 31, 2015 in Breckenridge, Colo. at the International Snow Sculpture Championships. Sculptures, which remain on display through Feb. 8, 2015, start as 12-foot-tall, 20+ ton blocks of snow. Teams from all over the world will compete and using only hand tools, artists achieve finished pieces across five days (65 hours) of sculpting in this one of a kind event.CLICK HERE to see submission sketches, team bios and to follow teams online during competition week.

January 19 – 23, 2015 Technical Week – Watch how the blocks are built or even volunteer to help by calling Heather Bridges, Chief of Volunteers at 970.547.3100 or email at Heather Bridges. The enormous blocks of snow are built in anticipation of the artists arrival so that the blocks have time to settle and compact under their own weight prior to being carved.  This allows for a more consistent medium giving the sculptors the ability to execute their gravity-defying designs.
January 27 – 31, 2015 Sculpting Week – Sculpting begins at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27th with a gun shot start and sculpting ends on Saturday, January 31 at 10:00 a.m. The awards ceremony will be on Saturday, January 31, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. Friday, January 30 is one of the best times to visit. Artists are preparing to stay up all night to do detail work and the atmosphere is celebratory. Why not spend a night or two and catch the whole weekend? You won’t regret seeing the sculptures evolve and witnessing the awards given out
January 31 to February 8, 2015 Viewing Week – (Please note that visitors are welcome to the event anytime from January 27 to February 8). During viewing week, the artists are done sculpting but the sculptures are here for your viewing pleasure. Weather permitting the snow sculptures will stay up until the night of Sunday, February 8, 2015 until approx. 9pm and then they will disappear under the darkness of night- just as magically as they appeared!

Where are the sculptures located?
The Snow Sculptures are located in the area around the Riverwalk Center at 150 West Adams Avenue, Breckenridge, CO 80424. The competition sculptures are in the Riverwalk Center (Tiger Dredge) parking lot and the sponsor/exhibition sculptures are spread onto the “lawn” just north of the Riverwalk Center and across the river in the Blue River Plaza adjacent to Main Street. Event headquarters are in the Riverwalk Center and referred to as the Snow Lounge .
A Permanent Memento
Be sure to stop by the Snow Lounge for postcards, pins and for more event information including a look at past sculptures .
History on Display
Discover the process of snow sculpting, information about the teams and lots of interesting trivia. Located in the Snow Lounge, this exhibit explores the last 25 years of the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.
Don’t Forget to Vote
Support your favorite sculpture with the People’s Choice Vote. Voting occurs throughout sculpting week through Sunday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. Stop by the Snow Lounge or look for our volunteers throughout the site in addition to the voting jars attached to the fence in front of the sculptures. A $1 donation receives one vote and goes directly to supporting the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.
The Magic of Ice
Don’t miss the spectacular Ice Village, located at the Riverwalk Center . Each intricate carving is sculpted into a glowing statue. The sculptures represent many of the supporters of the Snow Sculpture Championships.
Park and Stay Awhile
Free 3 hour parking is available at the Courthouse Lot, off the alley between Wellington and Lincoln; the Barney Ford Lot, at the corner of Ridge Street and Washington Avenue; the French Street Lot, on the corner of French Street and Jefferson Avenue; and at the parking lot off of Airport Road- free transportation to the event from the Airport Lot will be provided from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Click here for more information about parking in Town.
Catch a Free Ride
Free public transportation is available throughout the town from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., provided by the Breckenridge Free Ride. Maps are available at Event Headquarters located in the Riverwalk Center at 150 West Adams Avenue, The Welcome Center on Main Street, Breckenridge Station and on each bus and trolley or click here to find out more about the Breckenridge Free Ride. The closest bus stop to Event Headquarters is the F-Lot, which is serviced by most bus routes.
Please be aware that this is a snowy, high alpine environment. Dress warmly and appropriately with high traction shoes

Where may visitors park to see the event?
Parking is available throughout downtown Breckenridge. Free 3 hour parking is available at the Courthouse Lot, off the alley between Wellington and Lincoln; the Barney Ford Lot, at the corner of Ridge Street and Washington Avenue; the French Street Lot, on the corner of French Street and Jefferson Avenue. Click here for more general parking information.
Please do not utilize the F-Lot Transit Center off of Park Avenue as a turn around or drop off area for cars. The transit center is for buses only.
Also, on January 25-26 a special Snow Sculpture shuttle will run between the event site (F-Lot transit center) and the satellite/free skier parking off of Airport Road. The shuttle will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m and there will be signage directing visitors to the satellite/free skier parking off of Airport Road as well as the special shuttle stop.
Free public transportation is also available throughout the town from 6:15 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., provided by the Breckenridge Free Ride. Maps are available at Event Headquarters located in the Riverwalk Center at 150 West Adams Avenue, The Welcome Center on Main Street, Breckenridge Station and on each bus or click here to find out more about the Breckenridge Free Ride. The closest bus stop to Event Headquarters is the F-Lot, which is serviced by most bus routes.
Where should private charter buses park and drop off/pick up?
Private charter buses may utilize the F-Lot Transit Center near the Riverwalk (Tiger Dredge) Lot to drop off and pick up guests. Buses may not park on Park Avenue or in the Tiger Dredge Lot. Buses will be directed to park in the satellite/free skier parking off of Airport Road and return to the event site to pick up guests. For more information about parking please click here