World Ice Art Championships

[1] The contest also draws tens of thousands of spectators; in 2004, 48,000 people from more than 28 countries passed through the park's gates.

Today the event begins mid February and, weather permitting, lasts until the end of March, featuring the art and skill of as many as 75 teams from around the world.

[3] Locations: Through 2011, the ice festival took place on a 20-acre (8.1 ha) site across the Chena River from Pioneer Park, which the organizers leased from the Alaska Railroad.

[4] In 2012 the event moved to a new location, the George Horner Ice Art Park.

[5] In 2017, after a fire destroyed their main lodge, the Ice Alaska organization restructured to protect the future of the event.

25th World Ice Art Championship banner.
A multi-block sculpture.
Mexican sculptor Abel Ramírez Águilar with his work at the event
A single block sculpture
"Cool Brees" ice sculpture of Drew Brees
9-foot-tall (2.7 m) ice sculpture depicting New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees & titled "Cool Brees" at the 2010 World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska