Snow Sculpture

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Most of us have learned in the
Most of us have learned in the "roll up a big ball of the white stuff and have at it" school of snow sculpting. To make a more durable structure, you'll want to consider building a layered mound with supports buried inside.
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An
An "Old Man of the Snows" dwarfs the two students in his bowl.
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A clown is ready to juggle snowballs in front of Baker Library.
A clown is ready to juggle snowballs in front of Baker Library.
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The art of snow sculpture is well represented at Dartmouth College's Winter Carnival. As its expression suggests, this magnificent dragon is under attack from an icy, unseen St. George.
The art of snow sculpture is well represented at Dartmouth College's Winter Carnival. As its expression suggests, this magnificent dragon is under attack from an icy, unseen St. George.
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In addition to snow and below-freezing temperatures, you'll need a model or pattern to work from and a few shaping tools.
In addition to snow and below-freezing temperatures, you'll need a model or pattern to work from and a few shaping tools.
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Fill the base with snow. Wooden posts should be anchored in the snow mass if the sculpture is to be large, or will feature legs or extended limbs. The entire base is doused with water and allowed to freeze, overnight, in temperatures of 15° to 25°F.
Fill the base with snow. Wooden posts should be anchored in the snow mass if the sculpture is to be large, or will feature legs or extended limbs. The entire base is doused with water and allowed to freeze, overnight, in temperatures of 15° to 25°F.
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A smaller frame is placed on top of the platform, packed full with snow, doused, and frozen as before. In this manner, the sculptor constructs a
A smaller frame is placed on top of the platform, packed full with snow, doused, and frozen as before. In this manner, the sculptor constructs a "step pyramid" to the height of the figure planned.
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The rough contours of the design are then hacked or sawed out with a heavy knife, hatchet, or wide-toothed tree saw.
The rough contours of the design are then hacked or sawed out with a heavy knife, hatchet, or wide-toothed tree saw.
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Once the rough shape has been formed, the artist uses chisels, knives, picks, and other such tools to carve the details.
Once the rough shape has been formed, the artist uses chisels, knives, picks, and other such tools to carve the details.
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A final spraying with water, followed by an overnight freeze, will smooth the surface and make it glisten.
A final spraying with water, followed by an overnight freeze, will smooth the surface and make it glisten.

From the superb Snow Festivals of Sapporo, Japan to the delightful Winter Carnivals at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, half a world away, snow sculptures — carved, and glazed to perfection — delight and inspire millions of people each winter.

The Basics

As you’d imagine, it takes time to create one of these masterpieces, but the process isn’t as difficult as you may think. The basic requirements and techniques of construction remain the same whether your design is 3 or 33 feet high.

First of all, you need a model or pattern to work from, an abundant supply of snow, temperatures at or below freezing, and a few shaping tools. You must then find (or build) a snow mound of suitable size from which to carve your figure.

Step by Step

  • Published on Jan 1, 1983
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