{"id":43741,"date":"2025-12-05T07:36:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T14:36:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=43741"},"modified":"2025-12-08T13:23:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T20:23:48","slug":"frozen-art-visit-ice-and-snow-sculptures-in-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/frozen-art-visit-ice-and-snow-sculptures-in-colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"Frozen art: Visit ice and snow sculptures in Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
\""Mind
“Mind In Meditation” by Team India at the 2025 Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Competition. Photo courtesy of the Breckenridge Tourism Office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Art comes in so many forms, but during Colorado\u2019s winter it comes in the shape of snow and ice sculptures.<\/p>\n

From the snow sculpture championships in Breckenridge that bring competitors from around the world to an evening bonfire in Berthoud to enjoy the warmth of an ice tower slowly melting away, Colorado\u2019s winter provides an opportunity to enjoy a wonderland beyond the ski slopes. These spectacular winter events bring life to a cold, white canvas and the communities that host them.<\/p>\n

\"Teams
Teams from around the world carve 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of snow into masterpieces at the Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships. Photo by Zach Hooper\/ Breckenridge Tourism Office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ice and snow sculpture events in Colorado<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n

Wintersk\u00f6l in Aspen, Colorado<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 1951, this small town started an annual event as a \u201ctoast to winter.\u201d Over the years, the four-day event has held mountain activities, concerts, a bonfire, and fireworks. Its free slogan button has become a visitor\u2019s must-have souvenir.<\/p>\n

Sculptures create winter-themed artwork from massive blocks of snow along Mill Street walking mall. There are story times and curling competitions.\u00a0Visitors can enjoy “Soupskol,” a local tradition where restaurants create special soups that patrons vote on.<\/p>\n

Enjoy interactive art and light displays nightly in town, a magical parade of lights descending the mountain, and a fireworks show and bonfire. You can find the full schedule of events on the Aspen Chamber webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When: Dec. 11-14, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Explore
Explore the amazing beauty of Ice Castles this winter at two locations in Colorado. Photo courtesy of Ice Castles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ice Castles in Cripple Creek and Silverthorne, Colorado<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Explore the wonder of Ice Castles at two different locations in Colorado this winter. Ice Castles<\/a>, founded in 2011, brings this magical fairy tale experience to life at a handful of locations throughout the U.S. Colorado hosts two of those locations in 2026.<\/p>\n

Each ice castle is built by hand using icicles that are hand-placed by professional ice artists. There are frozen towers, caverns, ice slides, crawl spaces and ice-carved thrones and tunnels. The formations are located next to natural water sources, so when they melt, the water is returned to its source. The castles’ opening dates depend on the weather, but usually open in January and run through early March.<\/p>\n

Date: January through February, tentatively<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"An
A tunnel slide at an Ice Castle location. Photo courtesy of Ice Castles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ouray Ice Festival and Competition <\/strong>in Ouray, Colorado<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although this festival<\/a> doesn\u2019t actually feature ice sculptures, it\u2019s hard not to be awed by the beauty of the ice climbing park where the festival is mainly held.<\/p>\n

During the winter months, 250 water sprinklers within the Uncompahgre Gorge bring to life a one-mile span of man-made ice walls and watching a climber conquer these colossal frozen masterpieces is electrifying.<\/p>\n