Snow angel

A child making a snow angel in shallow snow.

Another snow angel being created.

For other uses, see Snow Angel (disambiguation).

A snow angel is a human-made depression formed in an area of snow in the shape of an angel. Making snow angels is a common childhood game.

Technique

The creation of the snow angel is a simple process. The first step is to find an undisturbed plane of snow. The next step is to lie supine, spread-eagled in the center of the snow. The limbs are then swept back and forth, creating a trough through the snow. When it is finished, the snow angel should have the appearance of an angel, the movement of the arms having formed wings, and that of the legs having formed a gown.

Current world record

On March 28, 2007, Guinness World Records confirmed that North Dakota holds the world record for the most snow angels made simultaneously in one place. The record breaking event occurred February 17, 2007 when 8,962 snow angels were created by people waving their arms while lying in the snow covering the state Capitol grounds in Bismarck.

Previously, the record was held by Michigan Tech University with 3,784 students, locals, and alumni making snow angels on the school football field.

A separate record for Most Snow Angels made in simultaneously in multiple venues is also documented by Guinness World Records. The current record was set on February 2, 2004 by staff, students and community members of the London District Catholic School Board in London, Ontario.

In sports

Making a snow angel to celebrate a touchdown in American football is not allowed and can be penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct.

Wes Welker was fined $10,000 for his snow angel at the Gillette Stadium 2008-12-21.

On November 25, 1993 during the annual NFL Thanksgiving Classic football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins, Miami running back Keith Byars flopped down in the end zone after a 77-yard touchdown run and celebrated by making snow angels.