Overview

2012 International Ice Carving Competition - January 13 - 15.

In 2009, the Ice on Whyte Festival's carving competition was sanctioned by the National Ice Carving Association (NICA). This sanctioning took the carving competition to an international level. NICA provides the competition regulations and judging process for the competition.

The festival accepts 10 teams of ice carving artists to compete. Each team of 2 or 3 artists has 15 blocks of ice and 2.5 days (35 hours) in which to create their sculpture. Every sculpture must be a minimum of 3.18 m (7 feet) high. All 15 blocks of ice must be used and sculpted on all sides. Snow made from the carving ice may be used in the sculpture. No artificial props, decoration or colouring of ice is allowed.

When the competition ends, the judges critique the sculpture and allocate points based on First Impression, Utilization of Ice, Technical Skill, Attention to Detail, Finished Appearance, Structural Technique, Proportion and Symmetry, Design and Composition, Creativity and Artistic Impression.

The carving awards ceremony take place on Sunday, January 15 at approximately 3 pm. Artists receive NICA medals based on their score.

This year ice carving artists are coming from China, Russia, Latvia, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United States and Canada.