Team Build Challenge: Winter Getaway

The weather is getting colder, both in the real world and in Minecraft – that is, if you’re hanging out in snowy mountain biomes. Which is exactly where the Community Team decided to take up residence for our most recent team build challenge!

As usual, the team had one hour to complete their mountain dwellings. The only rule was that we had to build on a mountain. Then we cranked up the snow and got to building!

Here’s what we made:

Inspired by the crystalline colors of teal, pink, and purple, Liz wanted to build straight into the cliffside – the way a gem or agate might form in rock. She tried to play with the natural shape that was already there, while keeping it modern with a lot of glass and bright colors. The most fun part of the build was transitioning the colors down the stairway from the turquoise to the purples. She got to use some of her favorite blocks and even gave her cliffside apartment diamond floors! Now that's living in luxury.

Get ready to winter like you really mean it! Wake up to a beautiful view and cozy up in front of the fireplace in this unique, massive gold and amethyst-filled lodge. For those looking for a high-stakes adventure with fresh mountain air and mesmerizing views, this 1bd/1ba is perfect for you! Enjoy indulgent spa treatments, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, hiking, yoga, cooking, and painting classes along with excursions to nearby volcanoes. Immerse yourself in nature and recharge in RJ’s Luxury Mountain Retreat!

Matt doesn't get to spend a ton of time in the snow, so this was a good excuse to throw on his boots and trek into the cold. Since we only had about an hour to build, he had to be realistic with what he could do in that time – so he went with a modest 11x11 block house. He's always wanted to build a cozy retreat! This place has everything someone might need to survive – I mean relax – during the harsh winter: a kitchen stocked with food, a warm bed, a comfy couch next to a toasty fire, and a faithful canine companion named Lily. It's a glorified studio apartment, minus the pesky homeowner's association!

Kristina took the opportunity to use this team build challenge to create something off her Minecraft Builds bucket list: a hanging house! This igloo-inspired studio apartment has floor to ceiling windows and hangs securely from state-of-the-art wrought iron chains affixed to a large ice arm, giving residents the most sought-after 360-degree view of the neighborhood. But don’t be fooled by that death-defying, frosty exterior – this apartment is fully stocked with cozy carpets, a roaring fireplace, and all the books you could need on your winter retreat. How do you get inside, you ask? If you book a stay in the Hanging Igloo Apartment, we’ll send you a security code along with a coupon for a helicopter escort.

With its exposed wood-grain structure, Jay wanted this log cabin to be a warm and inviting place, especially after a day of trekking across the snowy slopes and icy terrain. Perched on the edge of the mountain, it might be tricky to get to, but it's worth the trip. Inside you can warm yourself by the roaring fire, sit in a cozy chair and read a book, or venture out on to the veranda and enjoy the spectacular views of the hills and plains. (Just make sure you've equipped your leather boots before heading out again, there's a high chance you'll encounter some powder snow!)

Thinking back to watching Nature and Blue Planet, Joel was inspired to create a lookout spot that blended in with the natural surroundings to observe the new native Goat populations. With this in mind, he created this ice and blue glass observation lounge to seamlessly fit into the mountain’s snow and ice. It is definitely the coolest spot to observe nature or plot your next snow-filled adventure.

And lastly, in keeping the party alive, Lindsey is back at it with another one of her famous nightclubs. This time the club is glowing and icy, and filled with wintery joy. Using clear glass blocks, ice, and natural snow, this is a venue guaranteed to keep things cool while people are setting the dance floor on fire. The club can't handle us right now!

Have you built a base in the snow? Have a favorite build you’ve created atop a mountain? We’d love to see them! You can submit your builds on the official Minecraft Discord or on Twitter using the hashtag #WinterBuildChallenge. We may even feature our favorites in a future article! With the release of Caves & Cliffs: Part II, the possibilities are endless!