Alaska’s largest ice festival, the World Ice Art Championships, is back again this year in Fairbanks, Alaska! Watch over 100 artists from all over the world compete with their incredible sculptures. Put these dates on your calendar, because you won’t want to miss this!
Ice Alaska found its start with the early celebrations of spring that involved Ice Thrones for the Winter Carnivals of the 1930s.
Ice Alaska / Facebook The tradition, almost one hundred years old, brought in spectators from all over the state. In 1990, it started as the championship we know and love now: the World Ice Championships, hosting over 100 ice sculptors from around the world. It was only a weeklong event then, but now runs for over a month!
In fact, on average 9 different countries are represented each year.
Ice Alaska / Facebook In total, there have been over 45 countries represented from ice artists throughout the year. And their artwork is absolutely stunning!
Ice for the championship event is harvested in large blocks for the ice carvers to use for their sculpture.
Ice Alaska / Facebook The championships are divided into three divisions: Single Block Classic, Double Block Classic, and the Multi-Block Classic. The multi-block sculptors turn up to nine blocks, or roughly around 15,490 pounds of ice, into something beautiful in only 132 hours.
The best time to go? When it gets dark.
Ice Alaska / Facebook All of the sculptures, and many of the games, are lit up in bright neon colors. It’s the perfect way to chase the winter darkness away!
And don’t forget the tons of fun for kids of all ages.
Ice Alaska / Facebook In the winter wonderland “Kid’s Park,” you’ll find epic snow slides, colorful games, and more. Kids of all ages will love to visit!
Tickets aren’t available yet, but they will be soon.
Ice Alaska / Facebook Make sure to check out their website, www.icealaska.org, for updated competition schedules and ticket pricing. The season passes are absolutely worth it!
Join the fun from February 17th through March 31st, 2023.
Ice Alaska / Facebook And do be sure you check out the competition schedule before heading out to visit. You won’t want to miss your favorite sculptor!
Have you ever visited Alaska’s largest ice festival? What did you think? Was it amazing? Let us know in the comments below!
Ice Alaska / Facebook
The tradition, almost one hundred years old, brought in spectators from all over the state. In 1990, it started as the championship we know and love now: the World Ice Championships, hosting over 100 ice sculptors from around the world. It was only a weeklong event then, but now runs for over a month!
In total, there have been over 45 countries represented from ice artists throughout the year. And their artwork is absolutely stunning!
The championships are divided into three divisions: Single Block Classic, Double Block Classic, and the Multi-Block Classic. The multi-block sculptors turn up to nine blocks, or roughly around 15,490 pounds of ice, into something beautiful in only 132 hours.
All of the sculptures, and many of the games, are lit up in bright neon colors. It’s the perfect way to chase the winter darkness away!
In the winter wonderland “Kid’s Park,” you’ll find epic snow slides, colorful games, and more. Kids of all ages will love to visit!
Make sure to check out their website, www.icealaska.org, for updated competition schedules and ticket pricing. The season passes are absolutely worth it!
And do be sure you check out the competition schedule before heading out to visit. You won’t want to miss your favorite sculptor!
Looking for more great Alaska winter attractions? We’ve rounded up 7 winter attractions in Alaska that are a must-see this year!
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Address: World Ice Art Championships - Ice Alaska, 1800 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA
