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Sculptors ready for 'snow business' at Lake Geneva's Winterfest

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Lake Geneva Winterfest 2012

Scenes from the 2012 U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva. (2011)

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Update, Wed., Feb. 1, 11:15 a.m. Following the a 10 a.m. organizational meeting for participants in the U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting competition, teams wandered outside to cautiously inspect their blocks and begin work. Warm temperatures have melted the snow on the grass, presenting carvers with an odd combination of green and white.

On the sandy Riviera Beach nearby, teams scooped up extra snow that had been piled up near the shore.

Carvers are expected to proceed slowly this afternoon, when temperatures are at the highest. Some teams have covered their blocks and will begin later today after the sun goes down and air begins to cool. Follow updates at Facebook.com/WalworthCountyToday.

Check out the sculptors in action and visitors scouting the grounds of the Riviera Park on the live web cam.

LAKE GENEVA -- Some of these teams have worked together for years. Sven Skupien, team captain of the Vikings in Black, said “our team is actually celebrating or 20th year in competition with the same three members. Our goal has always been simple: create a piece that appeals to us and the public and have fun entertaining the public at the same time.”

Of course, Skupien is talking about the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition, which starts today. The event is the centerpiece of Lake Geneva’s Winterfest celebration.

Sculptors work on the nine-foot blocks of snow, creating their art using only hand tools. Once it’s “shovels down” at 3 p.m. Saturday, the public votes for the People’s Choice award.

Grace Eckland, director of marketing and public relations for Lake Geneva’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the whimsical sculptures often win the People’s Choice award, but the first, second and third place finishers are chosen by the sculptors themselves.

“This really is an art form, and the fact that the sculptors pick the winners means that the finished sculptures are really evaluated on all the intricacies involved,” Eckland said.

The weekend will be filled with activities at Riviera Park and the lakefront including children’s sculpting, wagon rides, helicopter rides, a marketplace, live music and entertainment, food and refreshments.

A winter carnival also takes place at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa.

Winterfest daily schedule

-- Wednesday through Friday: snow sculpting from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Riviera Park.

-- Feb. 4: "shovels down" sculpting ends at 11 a.m.

-- Feb. 4: vote for People’s Choice Award from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

-- Feb. 4: awards presentation at 3 p.m., public invited.

-- Feb. 5: view sculptures, all day, Riviera Park.

-- Feb. 5: marketplace, children’s entertainment, food and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Riviera Ballroom.

Feb. 4: Winter Carnival at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

-- Activities, including ski school and ski patrol demonstrations, snowboarding competitions, skiing competitions, children’s games and more will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Mountain Top.

Festivities conclude with a torch light parade featuring ski school staff and a fireworks display at 8 p.m.

For more information, call (262) 248-8811.

Check out the sculptors in action and visitors scouting the grounds of the Riviera Park on the live web cam.