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ENLARGE
Team Breck is looking for the next generation of snow sculptors.
Rob Neyland, Tom Day and Ron Shelton compete annually as Team Breck in the Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships. But they weren't always high-falutin' snow-sculpting studs. They began shaping snow as part of Ullr festivities. Eventually, they helped bring the international championships to Breckenridge, which showcases amazing works of temporary art. But in the process of becoming one of the capitals of snow art, the rough, native, street-type snow sculptures melted into oblivion.
For the last four or five years, it's been Team Breck's goal to return the art form of snow sculpting to its original roots and hopefully awaken the next generation of snow artists. Last year, they found a way to do it: “Offer some honkin' cash prizes,” Neyland said.
Twenty teams turned out to the inaugural Snowflake Challenge last year, making it a “resounding success,” in Neyland's eyes.
But this year, Breckenridge Associates Real Estate, which put up $5,000 in cash prizes in 2008, wasn't ready to take sole responsibility for coming up with the cold cash prizes. Luckily, Breckenridge Resort Chamber and local businesses stepped up to the plate.
This year's first-place winner will take home $2,000, while second place garners $1,000. Third through seventh places win $500-25, respectively.
Team Breck will assign teams locations in town, to showcase their creations. Then, they'll roam around between Dec. 5 and 12, acting as mentors, with ideas, tips and special tools. Last year, they offered their advice to everyone, and they intend on doing that again, withholding nothing.
“They are all our flock of snow artists, so it was easy not to be biased,” Neyland said.
Unlike the international competition, there are no rules: Just show up and carve.
Last year, the tiniest team consisted of one person, whereas the largest had about seven or eight. Each sculptor put in 10-20 hours of work, Neyland said.
“It's a lot of fun, and it's a great team-building exercise,” he said. “It is a really cool way for the young people of our community to really get involved with making Breckenridge a special place — creating a sense of ownership in our community.”
Each team is responsible for gathering and piling their own snow — no snowmakers in this competition. The other challenge:
“The hard thing with these pieces is that it does snow,” said Carly Grimes, spokesperson of the Breckenridge Resort Chamber. “But they stayed in pretty good shape for the holidays.”
Sculpting kicks off with a 5:30 p.m. party at Burke and Riley's Irish Pub on Dec. 4, and it ends with an awards party Saturday, Dec. 12.
“The intrinsic charm of having snow and art outside Breckenridge businesses is something I've sorely, sorely missed,” Neyland said.
Rob Neyland, Tom Day and Ron Shelton compete annually as Team Breck in the Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships. But they weren't always high-falutin' snow-sculpting studs. They began shaping snow as part of Ullr festivities. Eventually, they helped bring the international championships to Breckenridge, which showcases amazing works of temporary art. But in the process of becoming one of the capitals of snow art, the rough, native, street-type snow sculptures melted into oblivion.
For the last four or five years, it's been Team Breck's goal to return the art form of snow sculpting to its original roots and hopefully awaken the next generation of snow artists. Last year, they found a way to do it: “Offer some honkin' cash prizes,” Neyland said.
Twenty teams turned out to the inaugural Snowflake Challenge last year, making it a “resounding success,” in Neyland's eyes.
But this year, Breckenridge Associates Real Estate, which put up $5,000 in cash prizes in 2008, wasn't ready to take sole responsibility for coming up with the cold cash prizes. Luckily, Breckenridge Resort Chamber and local businesses stepped up to the plate.
This year's first-place winner will take home $2,000, while second place garners $1,000. Third through seventh places win $500-25, respectively.
Team Breck will assign teams locations in town, to showcase their creations. Then, they'll roam around between Dec. 5 and 12, acting as mentors, with ideas, tips and special tools. Last year, they offered their advice to everyone, and they intend on doing that again, withholding nothing.
“They are all our flock of snow artists, so it was easy not to be biased,” Neyland said.
Unlike the international competition, there are no rules: Just show up and carve.
Last year, the tiniest team consisted of one person, whereas the largest had about seven or eight. Each sculptor put in 10-20 hours of work, Neyland said.
“It's a lot of fun, and it's a great team-building exercise,” he said. “It is a really cool way for the young people of our community to really get involved with making Breckenridge a special place — creating a sense of ownership in our community.”
Each team is responsible for gathering and piling their own snow — no snowmakers in this competition. The other challenge:
“The hard thing with these pieces is that it does snow,” said Carly Grimes, spokesperson of the Breckenridge Resort Chamber. “But they stayed in pretty good shape for the holidays.”
Sculpting kicks off with a 5:30 p.m. party at Burke and Riley's Irish Pub on Dec. 4, and it ends with an awards party Saturday, Dec. 12.
“The intrinsic charm of having snow and art outside Breckenridge businesses is something I've sorely, sorely missed,” Neyland said.
