Artists Sculpt Snow For Breckenridge Competition

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS4)- Artists from around the world are in Breckenridge shaping snow into works of art for the International Snow Sculpture Championships.

Sawing and sanding make up the soundtrack in the Colorado mountain town this week. Massive blocks of snow are being cut down into works of art.

"We wanted to present something significant from our country," said Luce Ouellet from Team Quebec.

The team from Quebec has a delicate job ahead of them. One of their sculptors is digging relief space inside the snow. They're nervous their design won't hold up to the Colorado sunshine.

Some teams are using tarps to shade themselves.

"This is the first time we've come to America. There's never been a team Australia, ever, in this event until now," said Noah Davis with Team Australia.

Teams travel to Colorado from all over the world. Some artists are using snow as a medium for the first time.

"It's not easy, the people who've been doing this for years and years and they're talented sculptors for sure. It takes a lot of practice, so we're on the learning end of the spectrum," said Davis.

"We'll come up with 3, 4, 5 different ideas and then we just form them over time. This one started last summer, but some of them form over 2 years before we even carve them," said Bruce Schindler with Team Alaska.

Every year, their designs become more complex.

"You get to meet the carvers again and again. It becomes like a little family. Breckenridge treats us like top-level athletes," said Schindler.

All sculptures must be finished by Saturday morning. The awards are handed out Sunday afternoon.

The completed pieces will be on display through Feb. 6.