The History of Snow Sculpture

When winter comes it can often bring a plethora of snow. Thankfully there are many family fun winter activities that use snow. Snow can be packed down into snow forts, or rolled in to balls to create snowmen. Large blocks of snow can also be used as a mold for a snow sculpture. Many festivals in countries such as Canada, America, China and Russia have snow sculpting competitions where artists will sculpt pieces of art from giant blocks of snow.

A snow sculpture is quite like an ice sculpture. Both use a form of frozen water to create beautiful pieces of art. While ice sculptures can be created indoors, (at a freezing temperature) a snow sculpture is created outside.

While it may seem like a new art form, this type of sculpture has actually been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The Inuit peoples that lived in the arctic of Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland, used blocks of snow to create igloos. Igloos are a functional dome-shaped sculpture that were used as shelter in the cold arctic winter. Animal furs, twigs and other materials would be placed inside the igloo to act as a barrier between a person and the snow.

There are also other examples of a snow sculpture and ice sculpture being used in more opulent ways. In Canada, Sweden and some other northern countries, ice hotels made of snow and/or ice have gained popularity in the last few years. For many people it is a novel and unique way to spend an evening in a building made entirely of snow or ice. In Finland there is even a snow village; a large hotel villa made entirely of snow.

A snow sculpture that was also habitable, albeit highly opulent, was used by royalty. In 1740 Empress Anna of Russia commissioned a palace to be built from snow and ice. In 2000 Russia built a replica of the palace which contained sculptures of elephants, dolphins and even cannons that would shoot ice cannon balls.

A snow sculpture will start from a large block of snow. Many of the tools that are used for an ice sculpture are also used to create a snow sculpture. Since these tools can be dangerous, proper safety precautions should be taken and safety equipment (like hard hats, gloves, goggles and ear protectors) must be worn. A chainsaw will be used first to carve away large pieces of snow. Finer details can be made with smaller tools such as; chisels, ice picks, and small saws. A hand held snow blower is used to blow away small pieces of snow that are sticking to the sculpture.

No matter if it is a creative sculpture or a functional building a snow sculpture is an artistic creation that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a magical, mystical piece of art that is made all the more alluring by its fleeting time here on earth. People flock to frozen festivals to marvel at these works of art that fade away as the sun grows hotter. If you have yet to experience the delight of a winter carnival that has ice and snow sculptures on display, make this the winter you experience the magic for yourself.

About the Author

Our frozen ice kingdom is an amazing spectacle that draws in millions of viewers from around the world. This is one ice and snow sculpture attraction that needs to be on your bucket list, so don’t delay. A warm parka awaits you but you will be warmed from the inside out with delight when you view this amazing display.

Author (Nick). Submitted on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 Time: 7:38 AM

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