Let’s Build an Ice Park. 

How does an empty field at the fairgrounds transform into a fun, whimsical ice park, home to the World Ice Carving Championships? Above all else it takes hard work, creativity and comradery of many dedicated members of the “Ice Alaska Boot Camp”. 

The definition of a boot camp:  a short, intensive and rigorous course of training; a program that helps people become much better at doing something in a short period of time. According to Dave Smith, one of many dedicated carvers involved in this year’s boot camp, “boot camp was created as a venue to accomplish multiple goals: building the Ice Park, introducing old and new ice carvers to the “big ice experience” and allowing artists and volunteers to learn and see the “machine that is Ice Alaska.”

Brian “Tater” Edwards, the director of boot camp, said that when building the park, the team uses between 400,000 and 600,000 pounds of ice. They harvest the ice and transport it to the park to be made into slides, sculptures, a stage for award ceremonies and interactive ice for playing. The placement of all this ice is made after months of planning and designing. 

“We search annually for carvers to join in to build multiple attractions” said Dave. Tater added, “These guys and gals push themselves harder than anyone I have ever met. From the carvers to the laborers, operators and the board, everyone lends a helping hand and pushes hard every day to create something magical. I love this place and I don’t think there is a place I’d rather be!”