Embracing Winter, Part 2: The World Ice Sculpture Championships

The World Ice Sculpting Championships are held in March in Fairbanks every year. Sculptors from around the world gather to create massive, intricate ice sculptures. The professional entries start with 10 blocks of ice-52,000 pounds worth. Using only snow, water, and their allotted ice, the sculptors create ethereal masterpieces that will melt by June, but in March you can view them in all their glory lit at night with colored lights.

 You can even put a chisel to ice yourself, by entering in the amateur open contest. A $75 entry fee buys you an 800 lb. block of clear ice, and a pass to the competition for two people. The “real” competitors are exceptionally generous with their tools and advice, and the process will give you a deep appreciation for the skill of sculptors. 

I signed up for my block of ice eagerly, but after a quick stroll of the sculpture grounds, I was intimidated by the skill of the sculptors-even the amateurs-around me. My ineptness must have shown on my face, and soon sculptors had gathered around to offer advice and show us how to use an iron to smooth the ice or how to make more efficient chisel cuts. Our strategically primitive Easter Island head was clearly no competition, but I was absurdly proud of it. “You’ll be back” warned Carole Elven of Portland, Oregon. “This is our fifth year, and it’s pretty addictive.”

The Ice Sculpture Grounds are open this year from Feb 24-March 22. There’s a warming hut for a quick hot chocolate break, and for the kids, there is an entire playground made of ice—slides, tunnels, and spinning equipment.  Even the phone booth is made of ice.

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