SNOW SCULPTING COMPETITION OVERVIEW & APPLICATION

VISIT Lake Geneva is thrilled to be celebrating the 31st annual Lake Geneva Winterfest, and we’re honored to announce the 2026 America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational – January 28 to January 31. Our mission for this invitational competition is to provide a platform for the top snow sculptors in America to showcase their artistry while inspiring visitor experiences.

KEY DATES

• Team Arrival:  Tuesday, January 27, 2026
• Competition Period:  11am Wednesday, January 28 through 11am Saturday, January 31, 2026
• Awards Ceremony:  Saturday, January 31, 2026
• Team Departure:  Sunday, February 1, 2026

COMPETITION OVERVIEW & RULES

Teams

Each team must be comprised of three members including a Team Captain and two additional members. All team members must be 18 years of age or older.

Tools & Equipment

No power tools are permitted. Teams must bring their own hand tools for carving. Each team will be supplied with a snow shovel, a multi-position extension ladder, a folding table, a 5-gallon bucket, a section of scaffolding, and a shared snow pusher.

Competition Guidelines

Winterfest & America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational is a family-oriented event, and sculptures must be suitable for all audiences. Teams will be provided with a snow block that is 8 feet by 8 feet by 10 feet tall. Sculptures must be carved on all sides and stay within a 12-foot perimeter around the snow block. There is no restriction on height, but safety should always be a priority. Only snow, water, and ice can be used as an embellishment. Any ice must be made onsite and used sparingly. The use of other materials, colorants, molds, armatures, or external supports is strictly prohibited. All work must be completed onsite, and no external cooling equipment or freezers are allowed.

JUDGING CATEGORIES

First, Second, and Third Place Awards

A qualified panel of judges who are familiar with the art form and its challenges will be selected. Sculptures will be judged immediately following the conclusion of the competition period at 11am Saturday, January 31. Judging criteria will be based on the technical skill required for the piece, creativity, visual impact, and message. A guaranteed invitation to the 2027 America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational will be awarded to First, Second and Third Place teams, as well as the following cash prize awards:

• First Place Team: $3,000
• Second Place Team: $2,250
• Third Place Team: $1,500

Sculptor’s Choice Award

Immediately following the conclusion of the competition, all sculptors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite sculpture to win the Sculptor’s Choice Award using the above criteria. Sculptors may not vote for their own sculpture.

People’s Choice Award

Winterfest guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite sculpture to win the People’s Choice Award. Online and in-person voting will be available 10am Saturday, January 31 through 3pm Sunday, February 1. The Captain of the winning team will be notified by phone.

TEAM ACCOMMODATIONS

Lodging

Hotel accommodations will be provided for all team members. One room per team with three beds (a combination of beds, pullout sofa, and/or rollaway bed). Hotel assignments will be based on the team's composition and transportation considerations. Accommodations will be made for co-ed teams as necessary.

Meals

All meals will be provided to sculptors from Tuesday evening through Saturday evening. This includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner catered onsite and at select venues. Hospitality service, including water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fresh fruit, and snacks, will be available onsite to sculptors during competition hours as well.

Transportation & Parking

Ground transportation will be provided from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport for those flying in. For teams driving to the event, one reserved parking spot adjacent to the competition site in Flat Iron Park will be provided.

Travel Stipend

Reimbursement for travel expenses will be offered to sculptors as follows:

• Airfare – Sculptors flying to the event will be reimbursed up to $350 for round-trip airfare. Reimbursement will be based on the actual ticket price, and proof of payment (airline receipt or travel itinerary) will be required.
• Mileage – Team members driving to the event will be reimbursed at a rate of $0.70 per mile up to $350 round-trip per vehicle. For example, if team members are carpooling, only the driver will be reimbursed; passengers will not receive reimbursement.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. TEAM APPLICATION | DEADLINE: October 15, 2025

Online application > CLICK HERE           :

Application requirements:

• Team information including member names and contact information
• Team member background and biographies
• List of past competition awards
• Photo examples of your snow sculpting work
• Preliminary sketch and description of your 2026 Sculpture Entry

2. TEAM INVITATION NOTIFICATION | NOVEMBER 3, 2025

15 teams will be selected from qualified applications received by October 15, 2025. Team Captains from selected teams will be notified of their official invitation by phone and/or email on or around November 3, 2025.

3. SUBMISSION OF TRAVEL INFO | DEADLINE: December 31, 2025

Selected teams are required to submit their travel details no later than December 31, 2025.  This includes all team members’ flight itineraries and transportation needs from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport or Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Teams driving to the event will be asked to provide the number of vehicles.

4. SUBMISSION OF SCULPTOR INFO AND FINAL SCULPTURE DETAIL | DEADLINE: December 31, 2025

Selected teams will be required to submit the following team and sculpture information:

• A team photo for promotional purposes
• Team member dietary needs
• Team members’ glove and apparel sizes
• Lodging considerations
• Final Sculpture Entry sketch and artist statement

CONTACT

Brie Pacey
Winterfest Manager | VISIT Lake Geneva
Email
Phone: Office (262) 812-0023 | Mobile (262) 748-4979
Team Application Process | Competition Rules & Guidelines | Travel

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