Snow-sculpting teams set for Lake Geneva's Winterfest
Mike Nehs, below, and Neal Vogt of Snowblind, one of three teams from Wisconsin, work on “Tribal Dance,” the entry that would place third in the 2021 U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship in Lake Geneva. The 31st annual international competition gets underway Jan. 28.
LAKE GENEVA — Teams of international snow sculptors will take up their tools in Lake Geneva next week.
The city will host the 31th annual Winterfest celebration Wednesday, Jan. 28, through Sunday, Feb. 1. The event is held along the shores of Geneva Lake at Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park and is free to attend.
Highlighting the festival is America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational competition, this year featuring 15 entrants from across the globe. Two international teams – from Turkey and Mexico – are competing, a first for Winterfest.
In the juried competition prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. A “People’s Choice” winner will be selected by visitors, and sculptors will pick their own favorite for recognition in the Artist’s Choice category.
Each three-person team creates its unique design starting at 11 a.m. Jan. 28 from a large block of snow measuring eight feet square and 10 feet high. Grand Geneva Resort’s Mountain Top supplies the snow – about 150 tons all-in, which is trucked in by City of Lake Geneva crews and then packed tight by teams of “stompers” – so there’s no need to rely on Mother Nature in this competition.
Visitors can watch the sculptures evolve and take shape day-by-day – often into the late hours of the night – until the work and the judging is complete.
The tools-down finish comes at 11 a.m. Saturday, with winners announced at 3 p.m. that day in an awards ceremony at The Riviera Ballroom.
Winterfest continues until 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, with snow sculptures on display until they melt.
“Winterfest is one of our favorite and busiest times of the year,” said Stephanie Klett, president and CEO of Visit Lake Geneva, which presents the event each year.
“The talent and creativity on display is spectacular,” Klett said. “The detail and intricacy of the designs are stunning. What makes it even more memorable is the ability of visitors to get close to the work, to watch as the artists create, often sharing friendly interactions with onlookers. It’s an experience spectators won’t soon forget.”
Winterfest draws an estimated 65,000 visitors to downtown Lake Geneva.
Also planned during Winterfest is the Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk – featuring dozens of creations located outside shops – that starts Jan. 29 just steps away from the snow sculpting action. Another popular feature is Bonfires on the Beach, held Friday and Saturday evenings, featuring fire dance performances and s’mores kits and hot cocoa for purchase.
For team details, up-to-date schedule and more details, go to the event website visitlakegeneva.com/winterfest.
“Increasingly, the Lake Geneva region is a four-season destination,” Klett said. “Winterfest is the seasonal anchor, attracting world-class artists and tens of thousands of visitors. It’s free and it’s kid friendly. Bundle up and join the fun.”
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The 2023 Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk will be held through Feb. 5 in Downtown Lake Geneva as part of Winterfest.
Snow sculptures were not the only wintry work of art that were featured during Lake Geneva Winterfest.
