The 2026 International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, CO

Join us for Breckenridge’s world-renowned International Snow Sculpture Championships coming January 24th until February 3rd. With decades of snow sculpting heritage here in Breckenridge, we can truly say it never gets old! The sculptures inspire a childlike wonder.

Teams will be coming from all over the world and will spend up to 96 hours shaping and sculpting the snow, creating gravity defying masterpieces. Each team consists of 5-7 members who work around the clock, using only hand tools, during the allotted time to complete their sculptures by the deadline at which time all work must cease. Watching them evolve is an experience like no other.

After the last day of the International Snow Sculpture Championships, the sculptures will disappear during the night, and the Tiger Dredge lot will return to normal the next day without a trace of the magnificent works of art that once existed.

 

Breckenridge Associates Real Estate is proud to have supported the International Snow Sculpting Championships since its inception in 1991, bringing the best snow sculptors in the world to our hometown.

Sculpting Week: January 24 - 28, 2026

Sculpting Week is just as much as fun as Viewing Week. Seeing the sculptures transformed from a huge block of snow to an intricate work of art is the most fun you’ll ever have at an art show. Sculptures are never the same from year to year and have consisted of a giant dancing hippo, a recycling octopus, dragons, and a twister in past years.

When: Sculpting starts on Saturday, January 24th at 11 AM and ends Wednesday, January 28th at 9 AM

Where: Riverwalk Center

Cost: Free to the public

2024 International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, CO - Sculpting Week
2024 International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, CO - Viewing Week

Viewing Week: January 28 - February 3, 2026

To see the snow sculptures in full effect upon completion, you’ll want to visit twice, once in the daytime and once after dark. Please remember to dress warmly for these events as they are held in high alpine winter conditions. Warm layers, hats and appropriate footwear will only increase your comfort and enjoyment.

Sculptures will be on display 24/7 until the event ends February 3rd at 7:00 pm

When: January 28th to February 3rd

Where: Riverwalk Center

Cost: Free


Evening Grand Illumination: January 28 - February 3rd, 2026

At night, the sculptures are illuminated with ever-changing rays of unique LED lighting, with white-only lights shining on them for 10 minutes on the hour and every half hour.

When: January 28th - February 3th, 2026 from 4:30 to 10:00 PM

*Snow sculpture illumination ends at 7:00 PM on February 3rd when the events concludes.

Where: Riverwalk Center

Cost: Free to the public

2024 International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, CO - Evening Grand Illumination
2024 International Snow Sculpture Chamionships - Awards Ceremony

Awards Ceremony: TBD

Sculptors, locals, and visitor are invited to celebrate the completed sculptures as the winning teams are announced. Awards will be given for Gold, Silver, Bronze and Artists Choice.

When: TBD

Where: Riverwalk Center

Cost: Free


People’s Choice Voting

Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded to the Top 3 teams as well as awards for Artist’s Choice and People’s Choice. You can participate by voting for the People’s Choice winner whether you’re here in Breckenridge or not!

Voting Starts:TBD

Voting Closes:TBD

 


Where to Find Parking

There is parking available close by in the South Gondola parking structure at 150 Watson Ave. Additional paid parking is available throughout the town core.

There will be FREE parking at the Colorado Mountain College with transportation to the event via Breck Free Ride's Yellow Route from 6:15 AM to 11:15 PM. For more information on Breck Free Ride's routes and schedule, visit their website or download their app.

There will be a special ISSC Special Events Bus running January 25th and 26th ONLY between the Mountain College and event at 20-minute intervals between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Drop off is at Breckenridge Station, riders will then need to walk .4 miles to the Riverwalk Center to view sculptures.

ADA Parking will be available on the south side of the Riverwalk Center, accessible from W Adams Ave.

The International Snow Sculpture Championship & BARE

The International Snow Sculpture Championship is close to the hearts of all of us at Breckenridge Associates Real Estate. Among some the event's original founders, is one of our BARE brokers, Rob Neyland, and BARE has sponsored the event since its inception in 1991. Read more about the history here or stop into our office at 229 S. Main Street in Breck to hear the lore while discussing your real estate goals!

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