Winter isn’t coming, it’s here! We’re all preparing to tuck into our best sweaters, coats, shawls and woolen socks so we can battle the snow, but there are a few people out there who have found a creative use for the cold instead. Ice sculptures have been a common decorative tool at weddings, galas and other types of events. However, these artists make use of the most natural form of this chilly resource, building masterpieces from the thousands of snowflakes we are dreading. Talk about making the best of a frosty situation! We’ve collected these 25 photos so you can enjoy the beauty of snow from the warmth of your home.
1. The finest castle in the snow kingdom
2. Finnish folk tales at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
(By Rincewind42, Wikimedia Commons)
3. The castle is under attack! To arms!
(topoftheworldgirl.weebly.com)
4. 52 Foot tall snow sculpture of Finland’s Helsinki Cathedral, at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan.
5. Snow Sculpture at the Snow and Ice World festival in Harbin, China
(By Rincewind42, Wikimedia Commons)
6. A Snoopy snow sculpture made for the 67th Sapporo Snow Festival
(By Ominae, Wikimedia Commons)
7. A snow sculpture made by Team Macao for the 67th Sapporo Snow Festival
(By Ominae, Wikimedia Commons)
8. Snow Sculpture of Dr. Seuss at the 2004 Dartmouth Winter Carnival
(By Kaszeta, Wikimedia Commons)
9. This hog is ready to ride! A snow sculpture at the 2010 US Snow Sculpting Competition
(dank1012, Flickr)
10. Battling a Dragon, at the Sapporo Snow Festival 2011
(Alex Hurst, Flickr)
11. The Navy Misawa snow sculpture team sculpting a snow bust of "The Lone Sailor", for the 63rd Annual Sapporo Snow Festival.
(By U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford, Wikimedia Commons)
12. A snow sculpture of an accordionist (L'accordeoniste) from Winterlude in Ottawa and Gatineau, Canada, February 2011.
(By QUOI Media Group from Canada - L'accordeoniste, Wikimedia Commons)
13. A Sculpture of a train amidst a village at the 18th Siberian Snow Sculpture Festival, Novosibirsk, Russia.
(By К.Артём, Wikimedia Commons)
14. A Mini Cooper made entirely from snow
15. The nativity scene in all its snowy glory
16. A tiny guarded little city, at the 17th Siberian Snow Sculpture Festival, Novosibirsk, Russia
(By К.Артём, Wikimedia Commons)
17. Snow Sculpture of a mystical flutist at the Snow and Ice World festival in Harbin, China
(By Dayou_X, Wikimedia Commons)
18. Snow Sculpture from the Asahikawa Winter Festival
(By 京浜にけ, Wikimedia Commons)
19. This Kiwi, a national favorite of the people of New Zealand, has got his sunglasses on and a drink in his hand while relaxing on the beach.
(By SteFou!, Wikimedia Commons)
20. This depiction of Death, made out of snow, one of the exhibits at the Snow World exhibition on Sun Island in Harbin, China
(By Rincewind42, Wikimedia Commons)
21. A steam train made of snow at the Snow World exhibition on Sun Island in Harbin, China
(By Rincewind42, Wikimedia Commons)
22. Snow Sculpture of a Butterfly on a Branch, south of the Art Museum on Michigan Avenue, Chicago.
(By Serge Melki, Wikimedia Commons)
23. A sculpture of a group of musicians in the 2011 Harbin International Snow Sculpture EXPO, held in Sun Island Park .
(By Caliva, Wikimedia Commons)
