Snow sculptors from across nation compete in Wisconsin

Dave Andrews works on his team's snow sculpture entitled "“The Doormaster,” depicting an an old man controlling worm holes ,Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 in Lake Geneva, Wisc. Fifteen teams are taking part in the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship, which began Wednesday with judging set for Saturday morning along Geneva Lake. (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger) Dave Andrews works on his team's snow sculpture entitled "“The Doormaster,” depicting an an old man controlling worm holes ,Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 in Lake Geneva, Wisc. Fifteen teams are taking part in the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship, which began Wednesday with judging set for Saturday morning along Geneva Lake. (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger)

By Associated Press February 5, 2016 1 min read

LAKE GENEVA, Wis. (AP) – Fifteen teams of snow sculptors from 11 states have gathered in Wisconsin to compete for the best in the nation.

The U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship began Wednesday with judging set for Saturday morning along Geneva Lake.

The Wisconsin team that won with “Arbor Amor” depicting two intertwined trees last year has split into two and are competing against each other in this competition.

The teams receive a cylinder block of snow eight feet in diameter and nine feet high. They can use only saws, axes, files, scaffolding, shovels and other homemade implements.

They will be judged on creativity, technique and message.