Everyone enjoys trailside sculptures in annual tradition.

Lift Mechanic Jamill Sami puts finishing touches on his department’s gigantic ninja turtle.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

The snow sculpture competition is an annual St. Patrick’s Day event at Brighton Resort, Utah. The competition pits departments against each other in a good natured contest.

During the night as grooming equipment manicures the slopes for the next day, they scoop up a pile of snow for each department.
Lifties who run the beginner lift created an enormous Snoopy lying on top of his dog house. Adults and kids who are learning get to ski and ride around the delightful sculpture.

There are nearly a dozen sculptures located around the base of the resort. Even non-skiers can walk around the base area and enjoy them. They’ll remain on view for a few days and then be groomed back into the slope.

Correspondent Harriet Wallis remembers the outstanding St. Patrick Days at now closed Brodie Mountain, MA.
Credit: NewEnglandSkiHistory.com

St. Patrick’s Day is for reminiscing. I used to live in the East, and I skied Brodie Mountain, Massachusetts on St. Patrick’s Day. The once thriving ski area went all out to celebrate the Irish holiday. There was green snow,  green beer, green outfits, green face painting and lots of merriment off the snow and on it. Along with 20 others, I sledded down a slope on a cafeteria tray and crossed the finish line first. For that I earned a Brodie Mountain T-shirt. I still have it.

Does your ski area celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in an unusual way?