Shapes in White
What to do with all this snow?
Since 1994, the “Formen in Weiss” snow sculpture competition has been delighting winter sports enthusiasts and art lovers alike. Against the unique backdrop of the Silvretta Arena, 90 per cent of which lies at an altitude of over 2,000 metres above sea level, breathtaking works of art are created from snow. The idea of creating an open-air gallery out of snow came from the Paznaun–Ischgl Tourist Board, which wanted to showcase the vast amounts of snow in a creative way. From this simple yet ingenious concept, an event developed that is now firmly established in the region’s calendar.
Every year, international sculptors are invited to submit their designs. The best ideas are selected, and pairs of artists travel to Ischgl to carve their visions out of snow. Within five days, sculptures up to ten metres high are created along the slopes, which skiers can experience at close quarters. Thanks to the high altitude, the artworks remain intact for a particularly long time, turning every run into a cultural highlight.
Annually changing mottos
From "Everyday objects" (1994) and "Wickie" (2010) to current themes such as "Climate and Future Mobility" (2023) - every year there is a new, creative theme that challenges the artists. For the 30th anniversary in 2024, the theme of the competition was "LEGO®".
With the sculptures placed directly on the slopes, the competition is not only an artistic highlight, but also an experience for winter sports enthusiasts. Visitors to the Silvretta Arena can look forward to combining art and sport in a way that can only be found in Ischgl.
A complete list of past mottos shows the incredible variety and creativity that characterises the competition. This is where history becomes visible - written in snow.
