Snow sculptures brighten a cloudy day
From left are, "Old Man Winter, "Foxy" and "Whole World in Our Hand", part of The Flurry, a snow sculpture contest held at Suicide Six Ski Area in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Those enjoying the slopes at Suicide Six Ski Area in Pomfret, Vermont, this weekend are getting more than just the skiing. They’re also taking in some fabulous snow sculptures.
While many events during the pandemic were called off or had to go online, The Flurry, a state-sanctioned snow sculpture contest, has been able to continue, with a variety of masterpieces built by teams for the weekend-long event. The winners of The Flurry contest will go on to compete in the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
On Sunday, families passing the afternoon on the slopes couldn’t get enough of the stunning designs. Arranged in two locations near the back deck of the main lodge, examples include “Old Man Winter” (team: The Pour Saps, with Katie Runde, Mugsy Logan and Tony Perham); “Bear Hug” featuring a polar bear and a young friend (team: OG Team Vermont, with Michael Nedell, Brooke Monte and Adrian Tans; and “The Fox” (team name: Carve Happy, with Dave Rothstein and Garrett Moran). It was the giant fox that most captured the attention of Amara Waters, 7, who was at the ski area with her family.
“It looks like real shapes,” she said.
Her mother, Kristina Waters, said they often enjoy coming by the ski area at night to watch the grooming, but this time, on Saturday evening, they got the extra treat of seeing the sculptures in progress.
“We saw them working last night,” Waters said. “It was really exciting.”
"Bear. Hug." is one of the sculptures in The Flurry, held at Suicide Six Ski Area in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
They had seen The Flurry in past years, when the event had been on The Green in neighboring Woodstock. The sculptors’ work was something to look forward to, at a time when many events aren’t able to happen.
“I love it, because I feel we’ve had to give up so much this past year,” Waters said. “We get to enjoy a piece of what we’re used to.”
For that reason, it’s always inspiring to hear about any treasured local event that has been able to continue safely during these times. People need the joy, and it lends happiness to one’s heart to see the creative spirit expressed in these works of art. It’s also important for people to know that creativity continues to find its perfect design for expression. That kind of freedom is innate and can’t be contained or restricted. When we see its results, we gain inspiration, and that’s a feeling meant to be shared. It spreads hope, speeds progress and uplifts all of us.
— Gareth Henderson
The Flurry is organized by ArtisTree Community Arts Center in partnership with the Woodstock Inn & Resort. The results, listed below, were released on Jan. 19, 2021.
Vermont Sanctioned Snow Sculpting Competition
1st place - Team: The Pour Saps - Katie Runde, Mugsy Logan, Tony Perham
Sculpture Title: Old Man Winter
2nd place - Team: Robert Adams, Johanna Hoag, Hillary Palm
Sculpture Title: Whole world in our hand
3rd place - Team: OG Team Vermont - Michael Nedell, Brooke Monte, Adrian Tans
Sculpture Title: Bear Hug
People’s Choice
1st place - Team: The Pour Saps - Katie Runde, Mugsy Logan, Tony Perham
Sculpture Title: Old Man Winter
2nd place - 3-way tie
Team: Benny and the Jets - Lisa Kaija, Ben Kaija, Lauren Kaija, Abby Kaija - Sculpture Title: Snow-E
Team: OG Team Vermont - Michael Nedell, Brooke Monte, Adrian Tans - Sculpture Title: Bear Hug
Team: Carve Happy, Dave Rothstein, Kate Cowles, Gregg Stevens - Sculpture Title: The Fox
3rd Place - Team: Ben Fox, Azusa Mihara, Endine Peters - Sculpture title: Komianu
