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Crystal Family Turns Snow Fort Into Winter Olympics

CRYSTAL, Minn. (WCCO) – The 2014 Winter Olympics got underway in Sochi, Russia, Thursday night, but some Minnesotans held their own Olympics right in the Twin Cities metro.

It started with opening ceremonies, then got down to business. We sent photojournalist Carly Danek to Crystal, where something that started out as a snow fort turned into so much more. The Smith family held a full ceremony and had several events set up, including a luge.

It took about two months to build. They used snow from all the neighbors and the kids are out there pretty much every night.

"I think it's a pretty awesome way to spend this winter. We need some way to have fun," said Morgan Smith.

Racers were judged for time, distance and style. Every kid had a bib number on their back, and they also picked a country. Among those represented were Canada, Jamaica and the Czech Republic. The top finishers even got medals.

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