[1] An International Snow Sculpture Contest has been held at the Odori Park site since 1974, and 14 teams from various regions of the world participated in 2008.

[2] The subject of the statues varies and often features an event, famous building or person from the previous year.

For example, in 2004, there were statues of Hideki Matsui, the famous baseball player who at that time played for the New York Yankees.

A number of stages made out of snow are also constructed and some events including musical performances are held.

[citation needed] In years when the accumulated snowfall is low, the Self-Defense Force, for whom participation is considered a training exercise, brings in snow from outside Sapporo.

The Makomanai base, one of three main sites from 1965,[4] hosted the largest sculptures, with an emphasis on providing play space for children.

The collapse was likely due to imbalance caused by disproportionately thin supporting legs to the main mass of the sculpture.