30 years at the Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships presented by Toyota
Now in its 30th year, the International Snow Sculpture Championships presented by Toyota are bringing together 16 teams representing 12 countries from around the world to present intricate works of snow art. Four-person teams will carve 20-ton, 12-foot-tall blocks of snow without the use of power tools, internal support structures, or colorants – just the ingenuity of the sculptors and a medium that lends itself, if only temporarily, to the persuasion of hand tools. We’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships with a look back at what started it all.
Learn more about Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships presented by Toyota
“The whole thing came from a coin toss from Ullr Fest in 1980,” Rob Neyland, Event Founder said. “We flipped a coin to decide if we’d do a snow sculpture, which we’d never done before, or do a float for the Ullr Parade. It came up heads, so we did a snow sculpture.” Neyland and his team from Breckenridge Associates Real Estate continued to compete in the small, local competition, winning back-toback awards with different pieces. “We won quite a few years in a row,” he said. “Then one day in 1985, a gentleman came along while we were working on our piece out in front of what is now Ember and he said, ‘Hey, you guys are pretty good. Have you ever thought about going to the nationals?’ And we said, ‘Holy crap — there are nationals? That, then and there, was when we were set on the course of: We need to elevate this art form for Breckenridge to make Breckenridge become known for this art form.”
Bringing an international-level snow sculpture competition to Breckenridge was no small task. In order to drum up support, Neyland and his team — dubbed Team Breck — spent four or five years establishing Breckenridge as a name associated with world-class snow sculpting. The piece Team Breck constructed in 1987 for the newly sanctioned Colorado State Championships was titled “Earthlings” and depicted a woman swimming with a dolphin. A similar piece was constructed in 1988 at the U.S. National Championships, but with temperatures in Milwaukee hovering around freezing, the snow collapsed 20 minutes before the judging deadline. “That was a crushing blow, I have to say, because we were in a deadon lock to win the nationals with that piece,” Neyland said. “We dragged our sorry butts on back to Breckenridge and said next year we’re going to go back.” The following year, in 1989, Team Breck again won the Colorado event and returned to nationals with a new sculpture concept titled “The Frozen Moment,” featuring a watch with exposed gears. The piece won a gold medal and the artists’ choice award, sending the local sculptors to the Carnaval de Québec, one of the largest and oldest snow art festivals in the world.
Word of the team from the little town in the Colorado Rockies spread, bolstered in the following years by gold-medal wins at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan and the world championships in Finland and a silver medal at the world championships in Moscow. “All the while, we’re wearing Breckenridge from head to toe and telling everyone that we’re putting together a competition in Breckenridge and y’all need to come so we can whip up on you in Breckenridge,” he said. “We were out to establish Breckenridge as a liable venue for an international competition. We were on the march to collect names and numbers to build a database.”
After years of compiling resources and contacts, Team Breck was ready to bring the international competition home. They put together a slide show of their work and presented it to “every organization that would sit still for it,” Neyland said, from realtors and lodging properties to the town council. All the hard work paid off in 1991, when Breckenridge hosted its first International Snow Sculpture Championships. Though the sculptures are selfsupported, it still takes an entire community to hold them up. The gigantic event wouldn’t have gotten off the ground without the initial help and continued support from the people of Breckenridge, Neyland said. “It is a tremendous tribute to this community that everyone steps up to do that — the ski area gave us the snow, the town gave us the machinery and the machine time, the concrete company gave us the concrete forms, the crane people gave us the cranes, the lodging people and restaurants all weighed in,” Neyland said. The International Snow Sculpture Championships have become imprinted on the identity of Breckenridge, which was precisely the goal from the very beginning. “You can’t see any story or brochure or electronic imagery about Breckenridge in any venue in the world that does not include some sort of image of the snow sculpture that happens in Breckenridge every year. It’s become indelibly associated with Breckenridge, and I think that’s just splendid,” Neyland said.
BRECK
Breckenridge Ski Resort is an alpine ski resort in the western United States, in Breckenridge, Colorado. Just west of the Continental Divide in Summit County. There is adventure during every season of the year (but I like winter). This is a main street mecca with plenty of sporting, shopping, eating and partying. This may not exactly be a day trip, it depends on how early your flight is.
No Car? No Problem. Why You Don't Need A Car To Visit Breckenridge, Colorado
The best way to explore Breckenridge’s quaint historic streets is with boots and bikes, leave the car at home.
Here are 5 reasons why going car free in Breckenridge will lead you to be care free on your next trip.
1. Save $ and hassle with airport shuttles
a. There are so many shuttle options leaving almost hourly from nearby airports and downtown Denver, book at shuttle, sit back, relax and take in the views of the Rocky Mountains on your way to Breckenridge. You’re on vacation after all!
2. Breck FREE ride bus service
a. It’s all in the name, but the Breck Free Ride is Breckenridge’s FREE transportation shuttle that will take you everywhere you want to go around Breckenridge. There’s even a free app to find the closest bus to you.
3. Foot or Bike
a. Breckenridge is quaint historic town that you can walk end to end in less 20 minutes so it’s incredibly easy to get around on foot. If you’d rather two wheels, bike rentals are perfect for the rec trails and bike lanes that rated a gold level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclist.
4. Lodging Shuttle
a. The majority of Breckenridge lodges have complimentary shuttle service. Give them a quick call and get a lift to local attractions, shops, restaurants and events. I recommend you walk and take in the view, but I know your day must have been action packed
5. Gondola
a. The BreckConnect Gondola operates for free in the winter and the summer so no matter if you are hitting the slopes, checking out summer’s Epic Discovery or just trying to spot some non-human residents from above, the gondola is a must-adventure when you are in Breckenridge.
Lipper Legend - A Tribute To Breckenridge's Greatest Playmaker
Breckenridge, CO - January 22, 2019
Clips of my day at Breck. Trail runs are noted in the video where I was able to figure it out.
2016 The Hartford Ski Spectacular
Check out all of the action at the 2016 The Hartford Ski Spectacular!
Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) hosted the 29th annual The Hartford Ski Spectacular Nov. 28 – Dec. 4 , 2016 at Beaver Run Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort, Breckenridge, Colorado.
The week-long event is one of the nation's largest winter sports festivals for individuals with physical disabilities. More than 800 participants, ranging in ability from first-time skiers to members of the U.S. Paralympic Team, came together to kick off the winter season with races and competitions that train and prepare athletes for national and international competition.
Among the participants were more than 100 wounded service members, family and military staff from the U.S. and Great Britain, Boston Marathon bombing survivors, U.S. Paralympic champions such as medalists Alana Nichols, Evan Strong, Mike Shea, Danelle Umstead and 20 young U.S. Paralympic hopefuls.
Learn to programs in alpine and Nordic skiing, biathlon, sled hockey, curling and snowboarding were be offered. In addition to these lessons, The Hartford Ski Spectacular also strengthens and expands adaptive snow sports programs in communities throughout the United States by training staff and volunteers at DSUSA chapters in the national adaptive academy. The ski instructor academy endorsed by Professional Ski Instructors of America - American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) offers training for instructors in the latest and safest adaptive ski and snowboard techniques for skiers with disabilities.
The event is sponsored by The Hartford, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Wash Depot; Veritas; Bob Woodruff Foundation; Team Semper Fi; Tee it up for the Troops; DAV Charitable Service Trust, Oshkosh Defense, Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, Breckenridge Ski Resort, and Breck Sports. Partnering organizations include Professional Ski Instructors of America-American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA/AASI), Vail Adaptive Sports, USA Curling, Colorado Adaptive Sports Foundation and Breck Sports. Participating DSUSA Chapters include Host Chapter: Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center; Education Chapter: National Sports Center for the Disabled; Contributing Chapters: Adaptive Adventures, Adaptive Sports Center of Crested Butte, New England Disabled Sports, Oregon Adaptive Sports, Outdoors for All Foundation, and Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports.
Breckenridge Resort Guide
Ski.com’s Vacation Guide provides a full-scope view into what you can expect on a ski trip to Breckenridge Colorado. This Breckenridge resort guide includes information on everything from how to get to this famed Colorado ski resort to the best ski terrain for beginners, intermediates and experts, including the famed Breckenridge terrain parks, dining, nightlife and family-friendly activities and attractions. Discover your next winter getaway with Ski.com’s Vacation Guide!
Apres Ski - Best Sips and Bites in Breckenridge
Get more details on the Best Cheap Eats and Drinks for Apres Ski in Breckenridge on our website:
Music: Something Elated by Broke For Free (
Breckenridge Ski Rental at Christy Sports Breck Gondola
Christy Sports is located just steps from the Peak 8 Gondola in Breckenridge. If you're visiting Breckenridge for a week or just for the day we are conveniently located for you to grab your ski rentals and go! We carry high quality equipment and offer several package options to make sure we can fit you with the gear you need.
DoubleTree Breckenridge
Book Today Here
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Fall in Breckenridge
The fall colors are not the only reason to enjoy Breckenridge this Autumn. Oktoberfest, Fall Fest, Craft Spirits Fest, mountain biking, scenic drives and hiking are just a few of the other reasons. Join us this fall.
Family Ski Break in Breck (Breckenridge)
An overview of Breckenridge (Breck) ski resort when traveling with a baby, toddler, or kids of all ages. Read more at:
Exploring Breckenridge | Winter Breck ep1
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WINTER IN BRECKENRIDGE: 3 THINGS TO DO (BESIDES SKI) // Being tourists for a day
After dad being away at work in San Diego for 2 weeks, we wanted to make his trip back home extra special. We were tourists for the day in Breckenridge and did 3 awesome winter activities (besides skiing of course). From sleigh rides to restaurants, we had an amazing evening in Breck!
Blog coming soon with more details on the top things to do in Summit County in winter!
Huge thanks to Escape Rooms Breckenridge, The Crown, and Two Below Zero for the good times! Click the links below to book a fun Breck experience:
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WHO WE ARE
We're the adventure travel family consisting of Robyn, Victor and the 5 kiddos, Daniel, Gabi, Isabelle, Jiraiya, and Tatiana. In 2015 we sold everything we owned, ditched conformity, moved into our 30 foot RV, and began traveling full time. Nowadays, we travel the world in search of rocks to climb, waves to surf, trails to mountain bike, and peaks to hike. Follow along on our journey and get inspired to #BraveForAdventure!
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Welcome to Breck Nation
What does a sense of being mean? Being a part of one of the most unique communities on earth. A place that's completely familiar, even if you've never been there. It lives for new adventures, fresh snow, and the company of good characters. Independent. Laid Back. Welcoming. Authentic. The moment you step foot there you are already home. Once you visit, you're a local. When you leave you take a piece of us with you. Our spirit transcends borders and creates a worldwide community of followers who live the Breck lifestyle. Welcome to Breck Nation.
Village at Breck #3301 Breckenridge Colorado
Breck Dec 02 Youtube
Snowboard in breckenridge colorado 02/12/2015 By Zanyar.Z
How close is The Village at Breckenridge to the lifts & slopes in Breckenridge?
Find out how close the Village at Breckenridge really is to the slopes & lifts at Peak 9 Breckenridge.
Chalets USA are the USA ski holiday specialists with hand-picked catered chalets, self-catered apartments & hotel in Colorado ski resorts including Breckenridge.
We live in Colorado know the ski resorts & accommodation & visit them all regularly, including Breckenridge. Ask us for advice on your next ski holiday in the USA. info@chalets-usa.co.uk
Dumping in Breck!
Over 9 inches today and 10-20 in the forecast. We were here. Where were you? breckenridge.com
Four huge peaks with over 2350 acres of skiing and riding, five terrain parks, four half-pipes, two high-speed six passenger SuperChairs, a state-of-the-art children's ski and snowboard school, unparalleled grooming, exciting events and a historic mining town with endless shopping, dining and nightlife. At 9600 feet, with over 300 days of sunshine and an average of 300 inches of snowfall per year, Breckenridge is the Perfect Mountain Town.
New last season, the perfect mountain town got a little more perfect with the addition of the BreckConnect, Breckenridge's 8-passenger gondola. Setting the stage for the future development of Peaks 7&8, the gondola takes skiers, riders and visitors from town to the Peak 8 base area. Breckenridge also introduced SnowWhite - 150 acres of above tree line expert terrain accessed by the Imperial Express SuperChair, the highest chairlift in North America, reaching 12,840 feet.
Peak 9 - Breckenridge Ski Resort In Colorado - 12/25/2013
Christmas Day 2013. Breckenridge Ski Resort. From the top of the Beaver Run Superchair, skied down Sundown to the base of Peak 9.