50 Years of Winter Carnival: Celebrating Brundage Style!
Winter Carnival ALWAYS brings an added sense of fun and festivity to McCall and Brundage Mountain, and that’s never been MORE true than this year. Our community is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Winter Carnival and the whole town is stepping it up with bigger, better snow sculptures and extra flair.
Part of OUR tradition includes spending some quality time on the slopes. A lot of people are surprised to learn that Brundage is NOT particularly crowded during Winter Carnival or on Superbowl Sunday.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t embrace the festive spirit of carnival. Here at Brundage, we’ve sponsored THREE different ice sculptures this year. Like our ski slopes, there are different levels of ‘difficulty’ in viewing these sculptures, but we’re challenging YOU to scale the heights and see them all.
#1. Olaf and Sven
Difficulty: Beginner (green circle)
Elevation: 5,000 feet
The easiest sculpture to view is right in the heart of the action downtown – at the Brundage Adventure Center at Alpine Village. Olaf and Sven are sure to be a favorite photo opp for families and youngsters. We were especially impressed by the ice antlers created by sculptor, Richard Brown. Stop by anytime and snap a photo! You can also visit our friendly staff at the Adventure Center and pick up a cozy hoodie or souvenir shirt while you’re there.
#2. The BlueBird Ice Bar
Difficulty: Intermediate (blue square)
Elevation: 6,050 feet
This sculpture requires a little more travel time from downtown, but is ‘easy access’ for anyone skiing or boarding. This ski-in/ski-out piece of functional artwork will be open BOTH weekends of Winter Carnival.
Our Ice Bar crew was putting the final touches on the ‘chill out’ bar stools today.
Be sure to try the ‘shot luge’ to make sure your apres ski refreshments are extra cool.
The Ice Bar will serve beer and specialty cocktails (in addition to luge shots), so you can take your portable refreshments up the chairlift as you head to the pinnacle of the Brundage Ice Sculpture experience…
#3. Augi the Kangaroo Rescue Dog
Difficulty: Advanced (black diamond)
Elevation: 7,640 feet
Augi is standing watch at the Brundage Mountain summit, just waiting for his chance to spring into action. We’re investigating Augi’s official origins…legend has it he is a ‘kangaroo rescue dog’, which must be a rare breed developed specifically for life at 7,640 feet. More importantly, Augi is friendly and REALLY cute, and is the ‘top’ sculpture in all of Winter Carnival. You can come visit Augi even if you don’t ski or ride, we offer $10 scenic rides for folks in snowboots to reach the summit. (While you’re there, be sure to look around. The views are absolutely spectacular!)
Winter Carnival Bonus – Two-for-One Snow Tubing
We’ve got more exciting news for anyone who will be in town celebrating Winter Carnival during the week next week. We’re offering 2-for-1 pricing at the Activity Barn Tubing hill for Season Pass Holders AND anyone who purchases a day ticket at Brundage.
Just show your current Brundage Mountain season pass or same-day Brundage Mountain lift ticket at the Activity Barn Snow Tubing hill between 4-8 pm and get 2 for 1 pricing on a two-hour tubing session. This deal is valid Monday, February 2 through Thursday, February 5.
More info on Snow Tubing is available here.
We hope you’ll come join us as we celebrate Winter Carnival….Brundage Style!
– April