At Sand In Your Eye, we are used to working with transient materials, but usually, our feet are firmly planted on a beach or a city square. So, when we received an exciting call from Igloo De Thorens asking if we could sculpt the interior of their ski resort igloo in the heart of the French Alps, we didn’t just say yes—we jumped at the chance!
While our name might suggest we are strictly sand artists, our team is trained in a vast array of sculptural mediums. Our founder, Jamie, may have started his journey in the sand, but he spent years honing his craft in snow and ice at world-renowned ice hotels. This Alpine project felt like a homecoming to the cold.
A Quest in the Ice: The Fantasy Theme
The brief for the igloo was “Fantasy,” a theme that allows for endless imagination. We knew exactly who to send: our resident dreamers and master carvers, Dave and Peter.
Tasked with transforming three distinct rooms over the course of six days, the duo didn’t just want to carve individual statues; they wanted to tell a story. They developed a “fantastical storyline” that connects the entire igloo, leading guests on a narrative journey as they move from the bar to the dining areas.
The Storyline: Dragons, Ogres, and Fairies
As guests enter the igloo, the adventure begins:
- Room 1: The Bar Area Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a Magical Tree, its frozen branches reaching across the ceiling, setting the stage for a forest of ice.
- Room 2: In the largest room, guests come face-to-face with a giant, formidable dragon carved by Dave. She is bearing her teeth protectively because of her nest of eggs, her icy scales shimmering in the light. But why is she so guarded?
- Room 3: The final room reveals the threat carved by Peter: a marauding Ogre who has been caught red-handed stealing the dragon’s eggs! To balance the scales, a swarm of mischievous Fairies has joined the battle. They are shown swarming the Ogre, pulling at his ears and distracting him in a desperate attempt to return the eggs to their mother.
Life at Altitude: Challenges and Skidoos
Sculpting at high altitudes is a world away from the studio. Dave and Peter had an incredible experience, but it wasn’t without its challenges. The thin mountain air proved tricky to navigate, with both carvers feeling the effects of altitude sickness at times.
When they weren’t wielding their chisels, they focused on recovery—resting, taking in the breathtaking Alpine views, and getting into the spirit of the project by watching Dungeons & Dragons.
While there wasn’t any time for skiing, the commute was certainly an upgrade from the office van. The team at Igloo De Thorens took amazing care of our boys, whizzing them around the resort on skidoos and keeping them well-fed for the physical labor of snow carving.
Looking Ahead
Dave and Peter have returned with enhanced skills and a glowing testimonial from the client, who was absolutely wowed by the transformation of the igloo. The “boys” are already lobbying to return next year, but they might have some internal competition—Claire is already plotting how she can beat them to the finish line if the opportunity arises again!
A massive thank you to the team at Igloo De Thorens for this “cool” opportunity. We can’t wait to see where our chisels take us next.
