The Single Block Classic is open to 20 contestants. Each Artist is provided one block of ice, the dimensions are approximately 6ft x 4ft x 3ft (1.8m x 1.2m x 0.9m). Each block weighs about 4,118 lbs. (1867.8 k) once the ice block is positioned to the sculptor’s satisfaction, the sculptors are on their own.  Artists can request mechanical assistance, and/or aide from competing team members when more power is required to move/lift a component of ice into position. Artists may work around the clock; they are provided a full 62 hours (3 days) to complete the sculptures.

The Single Block Classic is the final competition of the event. It starts 8:00 a.m. Feb. 28th, 2021 and ends at 9pm March 2nd, 2021. The finished pieces are then judged this same evening under white lights. The following day, colored lights will be added.  Metals and Honors will be presented at the awards ceremony 8pm March 4th, 2021.

The Double Block Classic is open to 15 Teams. Each Team is provided 2 blocks of ice, each approximately 6ft x 4ft x 3ft (1.8m x 1.2m x 0.9m), roughly 8,200 lbs (3,719.5 k) Once the ice block is positioned to the sculptor’s satisfaction, the sculptors are on their own. Artists can request mechanical assistance, and/or aide from competing team members when more power is required to move/lift a component of ice into position. Artists may work around the clock; they are provided a full 62 hours (3 days) to complete the sculptures.

The Double Block Classic is the second competition of the event. It starts 8:00 a.m. Feb. 23rd 2021 and ends at 9:00 p.m Feb. 25th 2021.  The finished pieces are then judged this same evening under white lights. The following day colored lights will be added. Metals and Honors will be presented at the awards ceremony scheduled for 8PM Feb. 26th 2021.

Teams are composed of four sculptors. No more are allowed. Four-member teams are encouraged. Each team is given 9 blocks of ice. Each ice block measures approximately 4ft x 6ft x 3.3ft. (1.2m x 1.8m x 1.0m). Each team will be sculpting a minimum of 36,000 pounds of ice. Teams use hand and/or power tools to cut and shape the ice and may work around the clock if they choose.

The sculptures created sometimes attain heights of more than 20 feet. Therefore, Ice Alaska provides heavy equipment and operators to lift and position the ice. The equipment operators, all volunteers, work with the sculptors to delicately move the ice into the artist’s desired location. Without the help of the operators, the final product would be impossible. The artists fully realize this and give high praise to the operations crew. The final ice sculpture is teamwork at its best.

The Multi-Block Classic is the first competition, and begins at 8 AM Feb. 15th and ends at 9 PM Feb. 20th, 2021,132 hours later.  The finished pieces are judged that evening under white lights. After judging is completed, the finished sculpture will be illuminated with colored lights for the public to view.  The awards are presented at 8 PM Feb. 21st, 2021.

 Ice Alaska artists have developed an ice sculpting curriculum that can be taught in local schools. To encourage the students to continue to use their sculpting skills in competitions, the Ice Alaska Youth Classic is held the week of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Spring Break.  Ice Alaska has ~15 sites and hopes to draw young artists from throughout Alaska and the even the world. There is no fee to register for the Youth Event.
To qualify for the competition team members must be 13 - 18 years of age and have parental permission. Teams are provided one ice block, 3’ x 4’x 30" The block weighs approximately 1800 lbs. Once the ice block is placed, the youth team may not use motorized tools or equipment to move the block. Experienced artists are on hand to assist with requested chainsaw cuts, and to answer questions, and offer technical assistance allowed within the competition guidelines.  Award of medals and gift certificates are given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

The Amateur Open exhibition is an opportunity for artists to try out some ideas on a block of ice without the stress of competition. Contestants can register and sculpt on a flexible schedule. The exhibition tends to be more relaxed because artists are working at their own pace with 1- 4 x 6 x 30" block of ice, but official photographers make every effort to document the progress of each sculpture.

Teams usually consist of one to two sculptors, but since it is an exhibition the only hard and fast rule is  - safety first.  Participants under 16 years of age must have parental permission and be accompanied by an adult while they are working. The Amateur Open Runs Feb. 15th- 20th. 

The finished sculptures are illuminated with colored lights for the public to view.  Amateur Open teams are recognized at the Youth Ice Art Championship Awards Ceremony on the Saturday night after the sculpting time ends.