ASPEN–  Five teams will be selected by Anderson Ranch to go head-to-head in an intense 48-hour snow sculpture competition that is a part of Aspen’s annual Winterskol festivities. This years motto is “Aged To Perfection,” which suites the event perfectly considering this will be the  65th annual toast to winter. The winning team will be awarded a grand prize consisting of 1 pass to the 2017 Food and Wine Classic in Aspen.

Working around the clock, Jan. 12 and 13, teams do their best to shape their 8-by-8-by-8 foot mass of snow into an awesome freestanding creation. When Saturday afternoon comes around, the completed sculptures are judged based upon technical execution, creativity, and compliance to rules by a panel of judges consisting of independent community members. According to the Aspen Public Radio website, The Art Base, an art museum in downtown Basalt formally known as Wyly Art Center, took the grand prize in the 2015 competition.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever snow sculpted,” Art Base member Vallee Noone stated. “We kind of just went at it.”

With this event drawing near, it will be interesting to see what kind of creations the teams bring to the streets. People tend to be very creative with this competition, carving things such as a skier shredding through the backcountry, all sorts of animals, brand names to promote businesses, profiles of familiar faces, and a slew of other endless possibilities. Be sure to check out Winterskol taking place in January.