Snow Sculpting Rules, Judging, and Prizes
Rules
The rules for the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition and the Small-Block Snow Sculpting Contest are identical except for the finished sculpture area size limitation. Rules conform to the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition so that winning teams may advance smoothly through the state and national levels.
- Team members must be 18 or older.
- The team’s captain must be a resident of the State of Minnesota. Non-Minnesota residents may participate as the additional team members.
- No team member substitutions may be made after the official start of the competition.
- Teams may not receive outside assistance at the competition site, except as approved and/or provided by competition officials.
- Sculptures should be family-friendly and non-political in nature.
- Only snow, water, and ice from the competition site may be used. No media may be brought in from outside the competition site.
- Only hand tools are permitted. Teams may not use powered tools of any kind.
- Molds and forms are not allowed unless the snow is to be manipulated by the teams beyond the molded form. Stamps which impress a letter or shape are prohibited. Armatures are prohibited.
- Finished sculptures must be free of any colorant.
- Finished state competition sculptures may not exceed a 12' x 12' area. Finished small-block contest sculptures may not exceed a 6' x 6' area. There is no height limitation other than safety considerations.
- Sculpture and sculpture area (loosely defined as the area within the ropes) must be judge-ready and free of tools and equipment by the competition end time.
- Violations of any specifications are grounds for disqualification by the competition judges and organizers.
- Competition officials and the Saint Paul Vulcans do not guarantee the condition of the snow blocks.
Judging Criteria
State competition and small-block contest sculptures are evaluated by experienced judges on a combination of factors, including:
Each judge selects a first, second, and third place sculpture. Point values are assigned to each placement. 1st Place, 2nd Place, and 3rd Place award winners are determined by combined point totals.
- Degree of difficulty
- Execution (clean lines, proportions, overall completion, etc.)
- Artistic expression
- Creativity
Each judge selects a first, second, and third place sculpture. Point values are assigned to each placement. 1st Place, 2nd Place, and 3rd Place award winners are determined by combined point totals.
Awards
Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition
1st Place
*If the 1st Place team is unable to participate in the National Snow Sculpting Competition, the 2nd Place team will represent Minnesota. No substitution of team members is allowed except in cases of documented illness or injury. |
Small-Block Snow Sculpting Contest
1st Place
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