Welcome to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival! It's, The Coolest Celebration on Earth&tm;, and the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition is one if its COOLEST events! If you are 18 years of age or older, YOU can join in the fun!

The competition showcases three-member teams from throughout Minnesota. The teams have two and a half days to transform blocks of snow into works of art. The winning team receives $1,000, a trophy and an opportunity to represent Minnesota at the National Snow Sculpting Competition at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. National winners advance to the International Snow Sculpting Competition, held throughout the upper Midwest and Canada.

Winner or not, all snow sculpting teams get a healthy dose of laughter, creativity, fresh air, and friendship! And it all happens at the nation's oldest winter festival, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, January 27th - 29th, 2012!

Click here to download the sculptor's information packet.

In addition to fun, competition, and camaraderie, sculptors receive these great benefits:

• Welcome dinner and orientation, January 26, 2012
• Breakfast & lunch during the three days of competition
• Competition wearable for each team member
• Competition winner moves on to National Competition in Lake Geneva, WI

Whether you're just contemplating getting involved, or an old hat at this, here are some details to keep in mind:

• Each team receives a snow block, eight feet long, eight feet wide, and eight feet high.
• Blocks may be expanded to a twelve foot length and a twelve foot width, with an unlimited, but safe, height.
• A ten foot ladder is available for the shared use of all sculptors.
• Each team must provide their own tools, shovels, etc. as needed. NOTE: POWER TOOLS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
• Teams may design and use their own tools at their own risk and liability. In past years, teams have created special chisels, unique smoothing devices, large templates and calipers, which will again be allowed this year.
• A shared use of water resources and official competition personnel to assist with snow removal.

What competition would be complete with out some rules to keep things even?

(Outside professional judges will be used for the competition.)

(If the team winning 1st Place is unable to participate in the National Snow Sculpting Competition, the 2nd Place team will represent Minnesota. No substitution of team members is allowed, except in cases of documented illness or injury.)

To Enter the Competition:

• Develop a creative concept for your sculpture.
• Complete the application form and pay the non-refundable $75 entry fee.
• Have applications and entry fee to Pat Mogren by January 15th, 2012.
• Include an 8 inch x 11 inch drawing of planned sculpture and title on the back of your application.

Email: snowpark@stpaulvulcans.org
Facebook: Click here
Twitter: Click here

January 27th, 2012 to February 5th, 2012.
Snow block construction volunteers can take part the weekend of January 21st, 2012. See the volunteer website. Click here!

See photos on snow carnvings and past events on the smugmug website!