Minnesota winters are spectacular! Not only are they full of activity — ice fishing, skiing, sledding, and more — but they are also full of spectacle. There are hockey games to watch, frozen waterfalls to seek out, and even manmade wonders to explore. One of the most thrilling is a winter tradition that has been going strong for nearly a decade: the annual Bartz family snow sculpture. Here’s what you need to know:

The Bartz snow sculptures is an annual winter tradition in one family's yard in New Brighton, Minnesota, every year.
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook
In 2012, the Bartz family went on a trip to Florida. They came back just before a major snow storm dumped snow all over the state - and all over their yard.
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook
Instead of hunkering down indoors, the three Bartz brothers got to work creating a pufferfish out of snow. The snow sculpture tradition was born!
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook
Every year since then, the brothers have created a massive snow sculpture in the front yard of their family home. The second year brought a 12-foot-tall walrus.
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook

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In the third year, they built an enormous shark. It was 25 feet long!
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook
Other sculptures have been a turtle, an octopus, a surprisingly detailed fish, and more.
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook
There was even a lobster one year! All of the sculptures are based on sea life, inspired by the Bartz family trip to Florida.
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook
This winter, the tradition continues with a massive whale sculpture!
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook
Visitors are welcome to come and see the whale in person. In exchange, consider making a small donation. All of the donations - 100% of them - go to One Day's Wages, an organization that provides clean water to people in Uganda and Niger.
Bartz Snow Sculptures/Facebook

This whimsical winter attraction is not to be missed. It will be one of your favorite things you do this winter, and it might just become an annual winter tradition! For more information, take a look at the Bartz Snow Sculptures website and Facebook page.

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