It was up in the mountains, in Breckenridge, in fact, where I saw a snowman sweat.
The hatted gentleman was in a snow sculpture called Pavilion of the Seasons, submitted by Australia. Not so surprising that the snowman was sweating on a sunny day in the 50's, even if the ground was covered with snow. The humans were sweaty under our winter coats as well.
Breckenridge, Colorado is a perfect site for a snow sculpture festival. Many bronzes adorn the streets of this mountain town, such as the monument to the heroes of the 10th Mountain Division of WWII.
The "Throat Singers" opened a window to a tradition of Native Canadians, who in trekking across the snow would meet other tribes. One woman from each tribe would climb onto the top of these piles of snow, evidently built for travel markers. Accompanied by a drummer, the women sang together. One sang a soft note (in the throat), the other a loud, reversing, until a unified sound was produced.
I liked the ice fishing one, too.
Unfortunately, the Canadian tribute to NASA Space Shuttle program crashed and burned. Not burned, but definitely crashed--not aerodynamically sound. Of course, that brought to mind the Challenger disaster.
My favorite was "Calamari's Revenge," depicting the demise of a ship downed by massive tentacles. Another sculpture depicted a fire festival held in Catalonia, Spain, featuring parades of demons and fire. Made me shiver.
I'd love to see these sculptures in bronze and marble in parks and street corners when we return to Breckenridge, so sad to think of them melting away.
The trip, staged by the Senior Center, ended with a sleigh ride to the Three Below Cantina for a short show by a weathered cowboy singer. Little cowgirls cavorted on hobby horses. The walls and roof were made of canvas, and in the summer it is an open-air dance hall. Hot chocolate laced with peppermint schnapps raised a cheer. The bus passengers made a contented hum on the ride down the mountains in the dark.
 |
| Pavilion of the Seasons |
Breckenridge, Colorado is a perfect site for a snow sculpture festival. Many bronzes adorn the streets of this mountain town, such as the monument to the heroes of the 10th Mountain Division of WWII.
 |
| Tenth Mountain Division |
In this annual international snow sculpture competition the artists submitted drawings to the judges for screening. The sculptures were incarnated on site.
One huge block of frozen snow was left in the exhibit to give us an idea of what they started with. I've seen snow sculptures in progress before, the artists busy with their power saws, hammers and chisels.
One huge block of frozen snow was left in the exhibit to give us an idea of what they started with. I've seen snow sculptures in progress before, the artists busy with their power saws, hammers and chisels.
 |
| Block of sculpting material |
 |
| Throat Singers |
The "Throat Singers" opened a window to a tradition of Native Canadians, who in trekking across the snow would meet other tribes. One woman from each tribe would climb onto the top of these piles of snow, evidently built for travel markers. Accompanied by a drummer, the women sang together. One sang a soft note (in the throat), the other a loud, reversing, until a unified sound was produced.
 |
| Jesse & the Bear |
I liked the ice fishing one, too.
 |
| Laocoon, Greece |
 |
| Japan |
 |
| Icicle Bear Claws |
 |
| Germany |
Unfortunately, the Canadian tribute to NASA Space Shuttle program crashed and burned. Not burned, but definitely crashed--not aerodynamically sound. Of course, that brought to mind the Challenger disaster.
I'd love to see these sculptures in bronze and marble in parks and street corners when we return to Breckenridge, so sad to think of them melting away.
 |
| Mule-drawn Sleighs |
The trip, staged by the Senior Center, ended with a sleigh ride to the Three Below Cantina for a short show by a weathered cowboy singer. Little cowgirls cavorted on hobby horses. The walls and roof were made of canvas, and in the summer it is an open-air dance hall. Hot chocolate laced with peppermint schnapps raised a cheer. The bus passengers made a contented hum on the ride down the mountains in the dark.