Photos: Sculptures from artists in Stillwater for the World Snow Sculpting Championship

Twelve teams from around the world were chiseling and carving on the banks of the St. Croix River since Wednesday.

Team Mongolia, also known as Team Falcon, won with their sculpture titled “Voice.” Team Mexico, aka Team JetSet, captured second place, and Team Taiwan finished third place. Taiwan also secured the people’s choice award and the artist’s choice award.

World Snow Sculpting competition
Team Mongolia pops a bottle of champagne to celebrate their first-place win in the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday in Stillwater. Team Mexico, left, took second place, and Team Taiwan, right, won third place, surround them.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Snow sculptures are illuminated in the dark before the winners of the World Snow Sculpting Championship are announced on Saturday in Stillwater.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
A man shapes snow with his hand
Team captain Janne Andberg shapes Finland’s sculpture with his bare hand during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team Mongolias sculpture faces the St. Croix River during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Stillwater, Minn. Mongolia went on to win the competition.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
A model of Team Mexico’s sculpture is displayed while the team finishes their work during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday in Stillwater.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Judges weigh their options during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Stillwater.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Marisol Beauchsne of Team Canada shapes a piece of her teamÕs sculpture during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team Canada finishes their sculpture during the final minutes of the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday in Stillwater.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Fanny Fay Tremblay-Girard, of Team Canada, works on their sculpture during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Winterfest attendees photograph snow sculptures during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team USA’s sculpture, left, is on display during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Attendees of the World Snow Sculpting Championship wear bear coats on Saturday. Crowds turned out despite single-digit temperatures.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team USA’s Mark Hafferman, left, and Joshua Jakubowski place their final additions on their snow sculpture during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Spectators are bundled up for single-digit temperatures during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Spectators view Team Finland’s snow sculpture while the Finnish flag waves in the wind during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team captain Janne Andberg shapes Finland’s sculpture with his bare hand during the World Snow Sculpting Championship.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Winterfest attendees walk past Team Bocanegra’s snow sculpture during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Stillwater, Minn.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Arto Manninen, of Team Finland, smooths the side of his snow sculpture during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team Canada embraces as the judges call for artists to drop their tools during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Winterfest attendees view snow sculptures during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday in Stillwater, Minn. Teams traveled from around the world to vie for the title.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team Taiwan celebrates after taking third place place during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday in Stillwater. The team also won the people’s choice and artist’s choice awards.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team Taiwan’s sculpture, right, is silhouetted during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday. Taiwan won third place, the people’s choice award and the artist’s choice award.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Team Mongolia’s sculpture is on display during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday. Mongolia went on to win the competition.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
World Snow Sculpting competition
Spectators view snow sculptures during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Stillwater, Minn. Attendees were invited to vote for their favorite sculpture in addition to the art being formally judged.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News
A team works on a snow sculpture.
Members of Team Mexico carve finishing touches on their sculpture during the World Snow Sculpting Championship on Saturday.
Ellen Schmidt for MPR News