The Vail Winterfest Illuminates The Night This Winter
See the 17th Annual Vail Winterfest - Visages, on view at Gore Creek Promenade, Vail Village until it melts away
Photos courtesy of Charles Townsend Photography
Experience 25,000 pounds of ice carved by Alpine Ice that have transformed the Gore Creek Promenade in Vail Village into an exhibition of ice and light at this free family-friendly event. Visages may be enjoyed during the day or in the evening when the ice sculptures are illuminated at dusk until 10 p.m.
This season’s installation Visages was conceived by Alpine Ice’s own Jake Profit. Carved on-site over a period of eight days at the beginning of January, three grand ice profiles, representing all humankind, are joined by a song of birds exploring the mindful connection between external influences with ensuing thoughts. An individual thought can be so simple to fly over one’s head, while a whisper in one’s ear can inspire a completely new direction to soar.
The largest ice sculpture measures 12 feet tall! The Vail Winterfest originated as a collaboration with Triumph Development and the Town of Vail’s Art in Public Places as their public art mitigation for The Willows development in 2008.
The renowned public artist Lawrence Argent (1957-2017) worked with local ice sculptors in the initial years of Winterfest to create award winning installations. While Triumph Development supported the event beyond their necessary obligation other patrons joined to ensure the continuation of Winterfest including Winmax Foundation and art collectors Vicki and Kent Logan. Today the popular free family-friendly event is funded through the Town of Vail’s Art in Public Places.
Information about the 17th Annual Vail Winterfest may be found on www.artinvail.com or contact Molly Eppard, Art in Public Places Coordinator meppard@vail.gov / 970-479-2344.
