The Steamboat Pilot & Today: Tradition spared the knife

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Makenna Keyek, left, receives a rose from Caroline Bohlmann as she is introduced with the royalty at the opening ceremony for the 95th annual Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs on Wednesday night. Photo by Brian Ray

Steamboat Springs — A longtime Winter Carnival tradition was nearly broken this year because of too much snow in Steamboat Springs, but a local company has stepped up to ensure snow sculptures will again grace Lincoln Avenue.

On Monday, the city of Steamboat contacted the Mainstreet Steamboat Springs organization with news that the city would be unable to build the large blocks of snow that high school students use to create sculptures along Lincoln Avenue.

While abundant snow this winter has been a blessing to many, it has been a curse for others, including the city, which paid nearly 1,000 hours of overtime to snowplow drivers in the two-week pay period ending Jan. 19.

“This is the first year that we have been unable to help the high school students with their snow sculptures,” said Doug Marsh, the fleet/street superintendent for the city of Steamboat who oversees snow removal crews. “We’ve been so busy and so far behind. It feels like we take one step forward and two steps back.”

Marsh said building as many as two dozen blocks of snow can take six to eight hours, which is time the city cannot spare.

Mainstreet manager Tracy Barnett feared the snow sculpture tradition might be broken.

“To lose a piece of our (Winter Carnival) tradition … would be a sad occurrence,” said Barnett, adding the tradition goes back to at least the 1940s.

Barnett contacted Native Excavating owner Ed MacArthur to see if he could help.

“He didn’t even hesitate,” Barnett said. “He said ‘I can help with that.’”

On Wednesday afternoon, five Native Excavating employees and three loaders arrived downtown to transport snow from the rodeo grounds to Lincoln Avenue, where the snow was packed into forums to create 18 blocks.

MacArthur was unable to help with the construction because he went on vacation.

“He does a lot that people don’t know about,” Native Excavating employee Rod Scott said. “It’s awful hard for him to say ‘no’ when it comes to kids.”

The annual tradition is popular with Steamboat youths.

“There have been kids that have been working to be on the sculpture team for years,” Barnett said.

Downtown businesses pay $50 to have a sculpture created in front of their business, with the proceeds going back to the school. Students selected to participate in the sculpting contest are excused from school today to work on their sculptures, which are inspired by Winter Carnival’s annual theme. This year’s theme is “A Celebration of Community.”

Winter Carnival festivities ramp up today with skiing and snowboarding events beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Howelsen Hill. A $7 button must be purchased to attend Winter Carnival events.

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Community comments

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handyman (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 6:09 a.m.
› Suggest removal

Thank you Native Excavating , Ed MacArthur and the equipment operators.

Glenn Hilley
February 7, 2008 at 6:39 a.m.
› Suggest removal

Being in the Biz, it is nice to know that there are hearts still out there as big as Ed MacArthur's and the crew at native. What a great example to throw down in a community that needs this kind of leadership.

cj0329 (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 7:34 a.m.
› Suggest removal

Thanks, Ed. I think you get a rough shake sometimes! You do a lot for our community and my family, my kids and I are thankful!

fmrstudentlxa (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 11:38 a.m.
› Suggest removal

Hoorah! Native Excavating thank you so much for your generous effort. As someone who worked on sculptures in the past its great to know that the community appreciates them so much. Hats off to the City snow crews as well. Yes they weren't able to help this year but they have put in a lot of effort to keep our streets as safe as possible this winter.

424now (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 12:33 p.m.
› Suggest removal

Well done Ed. Way to step up.

80488mom (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 2:04 p.m.
› Suggest removal

It would have been a huge community disappointment not to have the snow sculptures. It's something I always look forward to seeing. Thank you Native Excavating for keeping the tradition alive.

oneski (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 7:18 p.m.
› Suggest removal

Thanks to Ed and his crew. Drove by tonite and the sculptures were great. Without you guys. this would not have happened!

armchairqb (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 8:55 p.m.
› Suggest removal

Thanks Ed: You're the BEST. With ALL the $$$ Steamboat has, can't believe that this is where they would make cuts. That's right. Cut into tradition & kids fun. Steamboat is getting worse each day!!!!!

Token (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 10:07 p.m.
› Suggest removal

I would disagree. This is why I LOVE this town!

love_boat (anonymous)
February 7, 2008 at 10:58 p.m.
› Suggest removal

City snow plowers we understand your situation. Thanks to Native Excavating for stepping up to the plate to help. People willing to help out when needed are what make this a great community!!

mimsgram (anonymous)
February 12, 2008 at 3:54 p.m.
› Suggest removal

Where is sbvor when there is something good to applaud? Thank you, Ed and crew, and thank you snow plow guys for staying after it in this tough snow year. We know you are short handed and have more to do than ever.