Fun Facts

How much snow does it take to build Vulcan Snow Park?
A lot! For the sculpture blocks alone, we use at least 9,000 cubic feet of snow. That’s enough to cover a football field in at least 1/2" of snow.

Where do you get the snow?
For many years, we’ve made our own snow with snow-making equipment. 

How do you build the snow blocks for the sculptures?
We use wooden forms, fill them with snow, and pack that snow down as hard as we can. Front loaders scoop loads of snow into the forms and teams of people use shovels, feet, and tampers to break up and pack down each load before the next is added. In recent years, an industrial-sized snow auger has also been used to help mix snow and and blow it into the forms for packing.

How heavy are the snow sculptures?
Very heavy! One cubic foot (a square block that measures 1' x 1' x 1') of compacted snow weighs 15-20 pounds. The initial 8' x 8' x 8' block equals 512 cubic feet and weighs between 7,680 and 10,240 pounds. That’s 4-5 tons! The finished sculptures weigh less than that because a lot of the initial snow is removed, but they still generally weigh well over a ton.

How can I get involved?
There are many excellent opportunities for individuals, groups, and businesses to help out while having a great time. Learn about our volunteer and sponsor opportunities.

The creation of a snow block