| The downturn in the American economy has | | | | Sculpture Championships run from January 26 through |
| fostered a new way of doing business in mountain | | | | February 7. |
| ski resort areas. Ultra-expensive family vacations to | | | | Visitors are welcome the entire two weeks of the |
| Colorado mountain resorts are a thing of the past | | | | event and admission is free! Sculpting week begins |
| (for all but the very rich). The ski industry has | | | | with a shotgun start on January 26 and ends on |
| actually held its own during these tough times but the | | | | Saturday, January 30 at 10 pm. The awards |
| hotels, lodges, restaurants, ski shops and other | | | | ceremony takes place on January 31 at 3:30. Perhaps |
| ancillary service industries have taken a huge hit. | | | | the best time to witness the festivities is the evening |
| However, what is occurring in America, in all its | | | | of January 29th. The artists will stay up all night to |
| entrepreneurial glory, is nothing less than a shift in our | | | | finish their creations, so the atmosphere is very lively. |
| comedic cosmic universe- owners of the service | | | | It is amazing to watch the sculptures evolve through |
| establishments actually have to work in them! Even | | | | the entire sculpting week. The week following the |
| larger companies are seeing this as a viable way to | | | | awards ceremony draws people from all over the |
| save money, and as a result, the quality of service | | | | world so the town is jumping with activity. This year |
| has risen dramatically. Are we heading back to the | | | | there will be 12 teams from 6 countries- Canada, |
| day of the owner/shopkeepers and personal | | | | China, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Mexico and the |
| bankers? Well, that may be stretching it but the | | | | United States. Within the United States teams from |
| change is apparent nonetheless. | | | | Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota and Wisconsin will |
| Along with the improved service, the affordability of | | | | participate in the event. |
| resort vacations has never been better. It is very | | | | The Snow Sculptures are located in the area around |
| apparent in the travel deals that are available to | | | | the Riverwalk Center, adjacent to downtown |
| places like Breckenridge, Colorado. Breckenridge is less | | | | Breckenridge. The competition sculptures and event |
| than a two hour drive from Denver International | | | | headquarters are in the Riverwalk Center, and the |
| Airport, so getting there is relatively easy. If you are | | | | sponsor/exhibition sculptures are located in the area |
| looking for travel deals, Breckenridge offers a | | | | just north of the Center and across the river in the |
| multitude of affordable choices. Contact your travel | | | | Blue River Plaza adjacent to historic Main Street. |
| professional today for more information. | | | | Breckenridge may be the most affordable mountain |
| The Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture | | | | resort of all of the areas in Colorado, and the service |
| Championships is one of those events that should | | | | you will receive from the restaurant owner/busboy |
| not be missed and could perhaps be the thing to | | | | will be outstanding! |
| solidify your next winter vacation. The 2010 Snow | | | | |