When the horn blew at 8:00AM this morning, February 15, 2021, the 2021 World Ice Carving Championships officially began.  The gate opened at noon for visitors wishing to watch the carvers begin their work for the multi-block competition at this year’s event. The woods have come alive, perhaps not with the sound of multiple chain saws just yet, but with the beep beep beep of the forklifts, called Zoom Booms, as they maneuver the blocks of ice into position, following instructions from the teams of sculptors. If you look closely at the blocks, some of them have papers ironed to them with the outlines of the designs on them. The multi-block teams have five days to go from multiple blocks scattered around to an impressive piece of art. “A little progress everyday adds up to big results.”

Visitors are already enjoying the kids’ park where there are ice slides, ice games such as checkers, air hockey and ping pong. There are two Sonic ice slides with two slides side by side for racing. There is a Sponge Bob, an Olaf from the movie Frozen, a dinosaur, an inch worm and a turtle, all climb on structures. One of my favorites is the “Spinner”. Looking like a basket, kids can climb in and be “spun” around. There are ice picture frames for photo ops galore! 

Consider a season pass. You can watch the daily progress of the carvers and the kids will have multiple days of play on everything Ice Alaska has to offer.