Ice-cold art at the World Snow Festival Grindelwald

Against the imposing backdrop of the Eiger, delicate works of art are created from blocks of snow weighing several tonnes. Now it is 41st edition, the World Snow Festival is transforming Grindelwald into an open-air gallery, inviting visitors to experience ephemeral art up close.

At first glance, the blocks of snow appear raw, motionless, and somewhat void of emotion. Massive, three-metre-high structures made of compacted snow, which, installed in the centre of Grindelwald, are more reminiscent of oversized boulders. But with the use of tools, the snow comes to life. Centimetre by centimetre, layer by layer, the snowy mass is removed using hand saws, shovels, pickaxes, and spatulas. After a week of intensive work, fascinating figures and architectural marvels emerge, created by international teams of artists applying creativity, skill, and attention to detail.

Since 1983, the Snow Sculpture Festival has been a firm fixture in the winter events calendar in the village at the foot of the Eiger. It was initiated by a Japanese artist who caused a sensation with his monumental Heidi sculpture carved out of snow in the centre of Grindelwald. What was originally intended as a one-off art project has, over the past four decades, developed into an internationally renowned cultural winter highlight. Every January, the famous mountain village in the Bernese Oberland invites visitors to the World Snow Festival at the Eiger & Nordwandplatz and Bärplatz.

Under the motto ​‘Myths and Legends’, the 41st edition is all about legendary figures, fairy-tale forms, and epic scenes. In addition to Switzerland, teams from the Netherlands, the USA, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Great Britain, France ​‚and Italy will be represented. At the end of the festival week, they will evaluate one another’s ice-cold works of art according to topicality, originality, and craftsmanship. The audience is also invited to vote for their favourite sculpture.

Visitors to Grindelwald during the festival can watch the artists at work, look over their shoulders, and experience up close the creative process that goes into producing this impressive snow art.

When: 19 to 24 January 2026

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