[HardDaysKnight]

Every year we have this winter game. We clear the snow, set
up a couple pits side by side and have a tournament all day
with a huge BBQ and lots of friends. Here is where you guys
and gals come in. We are thinking of making benches out
of the snow the day before so the women and kids can sit.
Any advice or ingenious idea is welcome. We want to make
2 20ft benches on each side of the pit.
Is it possible to have a back rest?
Should you spray or apply something so you can easily remove the forms?
Any inexpensive ideas for the seating instead of buying pads
to sit on?
Can we build a fire pit (yes I know it will melt) to last a few hours?
Anything you can think of will be appreciated.....Johnny

[Lanelle]

For sitting, I prefer something a bit warmer and drier than snow that will tend to melt. How about straw or hay bales. Remind people to bring blankets to spread on the 'benches.' If you are determined to build with snow, maybe consider starting with some purchased or homemade ice blocks covered with snow and then spray a thin layer of water that will freeze the snow into place.
Sounds like fun! Hmm, usually have to plow if it snows here.

[HardDaysKnight]

Sounds like fun! Hmm, usually have to plow if it snows here.

Here too... we wait for a big snowfall then
clear the area.

[HardDaysKnight]

I never thought of hay bales for seating. That's an option.

[Uncle Albert]

Wow sounds like u didn't wait for snow to start the party harday.

[HRLand]

I don't have any advice but can you tell me what the length of a horseshoe pit should be?

[Stonehenge]

There are now many imitators, but my alma mater originated the winter carnival, and with that the snow statue (and snow statue competitions).

Having built a few and watched many more being built, if you want a bench, use sheets of plywood as forms - 2x4's with dowels (or something similar) for spacing of the forms. Pack with snow and water it down well every 8-12". You can use a little hot water as a release agent for those forms - then you can build a back rest on top of that in a similar fashion.

Any kind of saw (gas or human powered) works for any shaping, and irons work well for smoothing (no kidding - never heard of an electrocution, either ). And you could throw straw on the seat for insulation (keep the butts warm and the ice cold).

Sounds like a good time - be sure to snap a few pictures!

[HardDaysKnight]

Originally posted by HRLand
I don't have any advice but can you tell me what the length of a horseshoe pit should be?

40 Ft

[HRLand]

Thanks

[GLAN]

Sit on?

Cinder blocks and 2x6's

[Pelican]

Horseshoe rules and regulations

Firepit? Why not just a circle of large fieldstone?

[HardDaysKnight]

Some great ideas guys and gals, thanks. Plywood forms and
hay seating sounds great.
Glan, Pelican- I know what you are saying but we want
to do everything with 100% snow.

[Pelican]

LOL!!! Good luck with the firepit!!

[GLAN]

I think your day of fun sounds great


but to make participants sit on snow chairs or benches is a bit much.....First the work involved to create them......OK that can be fun to.......Sit on snow? or ice?............If it were me........I'd rather sit home..........

Now if you are thinking straw......how would the straw stay on the seat area? How thick?...........blankets may work........but by the end of the day they will stick to the ice and you won't be able to remove them......

So......you need seating to watch the horse shoe tossing and you need seating for around the fire pit. Snow or Ice benches around a fire pit will melt. If to far away to keep them from melting, then I see no reason to be sitting on them to far to warm up from the fire.

Standing all day may be a better choice

[Uncle Albert]

I got it!!! Just wait ,oh 20min. or so into the party and use the empty beer cans. God knows they are a great insulator and after a hour you should have enough empties to build a small city let alone a bench.. good luck.