Team Cannada/Yukon Wins Snow Sculpture Contest

Team Canada/Yukon won the 19th annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships this past weekend with a stunning snow statue of Native American elders dancing around an intricately carved totem pole.

Without power tools, internal support structures or coloring agents, the five-member team turned the giant block of snow into an image of swirling blankets and fearsome animal masks, besting 15 teams from nine countries.

The sculpture’s story is pertinent to Donald Watt, the winning team’s leader, because his own grandfather passed down carving knowledge to his father, who then gave the skills to Watt.

“We’ve been doing this for dozens of years as a team,” added Watt. “Conditions weren’t favorable but not impossible to work with.”

The winning team is currently on a world tour — they’re participating in contests in China, the United States and Canada this season.

Annual Snow Sculpture Contest

It’s that time of year again, freezing cold temperatures, the start of a New Year and the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.

The Championship kicks off on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. with our shotgun start.

After 65 hours of sculpting, artists will put down their chisels at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Volunteers! This great event only happens because of the amazing volunteers that come and help every year. We are in need of snow stompers (Jan. 13-15), merchandise sales, technical assistants, dining help, people’s choice attendants and more.

If you are interested in coming to help volunteer starting Jan. 13 through Feb. 1, please e-mail Michelle Gehr, Chief of Volunteers at michelleg@townofbreckenridge.com or call (970) 547-3100.

Breckenridge's Ullr Fest Starts this Sunday

Breckenridge will celerbrate its 150th anniversary this year.

A year full of celebrations honoring Breckenridge’s 150th birthday kicks off Sunday with the 46th annual Ullr Fest.

The winter festival — themed “Ullr, the Snow Miner” this year — spans a week full of stimulating activities including a bonfire, a parade and plenty of friendly competition.

“The Ullr parade has always attracted thousands of people, so we’re hoping that this year is just as successful as the previous years,” said Breckenridge Resort Chamber spokeswoman Carly Grimes. The average parade attendance is about 12,000, and jumped to about 14,000 the year MTV was in town, she said.

The Travel Channel, with host Samantha Brown, is planning to attend this year.