Ice Sculpting Contests –

            The World Ice Art Championships are being held in Fairbanks, Alaska. The competition will include; Single-block Classic, Multi-block Classic, Single finished and lighted, Multi-Block finished and lighted. There will also be a Kids Park. The venue will be open from 10- am to 10 pm every day.  Check site for dates.

For further information please see -   http://www.icealaska.com/

            The Saint Paul Winter Carnival and Ice Sculpture Contest, St. Paul, Minnesota. This event has been held every year since 1886 and is one of the premier events of the winter season. Along with the fabulous ice sculpting contest thee is the Royal Coronation of Boreas Rex LXXIII and Aurora, Queen of the Snows, the Winter Carnival Blues Festival, the Securian Frozen 5K and a half Marathon, parades, cabaret and much more.

For further information please see -      http://www.winter-carnival.com/

            Ice Fantasy, Khabarovsk, Russia.  An International Ice Sculpture Contest to be held in Khaberovsk, Russia.. This will be the 10th year for the competition which welcomes teams of ice carvers from all over the world.

For further information please see - Russian site  - http://www.feic.ru/    

English site  -   http://www.feic.ru/feiceng/competition.html

            International Ice Sculpture Spectacular, Kellogg Park, in Plymouth, Michigan. This will be the 28th annual ice sculpting Spectacular for this small Michigan town.  Over one hundred single block ice statues and many multi block sculptures will dazzle spectators.

For further information please see - http://mi-plymouthdowntown.civicplus.com/index.asp?NID=75

            Big Sky Ice Sculpture Contest – Big Sky, Montana. Regional professional ice carvers will carve masterpieces and you can see how it’s done! Bring the kids and they can help by forming snow features. Guaranteed fun for the whole family.

For further information please see -  http://www.bigskymontana.org/activitiesandevents/14684.htm

            Lake Louise Ice Magic International Ice Sculpture Competition – Lake Louise, Canada.  This will be Lake Louise’s 16th Annual Ice Magic Festival and with this being an unusually cold winter, it looks like this might be one of the most spectacular and well attended festivals yet.
           
 For further information please see -   http://www.banfflakelouise.com/events-and-festivals/ice-magic

Ice Hotels -

           
            The Ice Hotel, Quebec/The Hotel Glace, Quebec. This will be the 10th year for the Hotel Glace and it looks to be one of the biggest years yet. Please see site for days and hours of operation. What a wonderful place to have the fantasy wedding of your dreams! Spend a night or stay a week. Enjoy fabulous food and drinks served in ice glasses. This is truly a vacation of a lifetime!

For further information please see -  http://www.icehotel-canada.com/

            The Snow Hotel - Kirkenes, Norway . Located at the most northern tip of Norway, this snow adventure will warm your heart. The restaurants serve true arctic foods which are fabulous! Visit Gabba Reindeer Park and mingle with the animals of the north. Visit Josef and Paivi, a Sami couple who will welcome you to their Lavvoen, a traditional Sami tent, and share with you stories of the Sami culture. This is a great way to spend your winter holiday!

For further information please see -  http://www.kirkenessnowhotel.com/

            Snow Hotel/Bjorligard Hotel – Norway. Take your choice from 56 comfortable rooms. A restaurant, bar and a hunting lounge await you as do wood fired hot tubs and a fully equipped well-being center. The hotel is in operation from January 1 to April 15 each year.

For further information please see - http://ice-lodge.com/

            Alta Igloo Ice Hotel – Alta Friluftspark, Norway.  Please see site for days and hours of operation. Alta Igloo Ice Hotel is a wonderland of the north.  Aside from staying in a wonderful igloo hotel you can take a snowmobile safari, stay in a Lavvo, have your wedding in the ice chapel, ice fish and much more.

For further information please see - http://www.alta-friluftspark.no/index.jsp?mid=13

            Icehotel – Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. When given the “Best Experience in Sweden Award” Icehotel pledged to give each guest the experience of a lifetime and the very best quality of service. Enjoy ice sculpting, Ski/snowshoe tours, Ranger Razer Safari, Starlight dinner and Wilderness Camp and the northern lights. Have fun in the arctic!

For further information please see -   http://www.icehotel.com/

            Kemi Snow Castle – Kemi, Finland.  Fun for the whole family. Visit Santa Claus Village, Arktikum Museum, Ranua Polar Zoo, Lappish Shamans, husky, reindeer and snowmobile safaris, ice golf and fishing, ice swimming and much more.

For further information please see - http://www.snowcastle.net/en/

            Lainio Snow Hotel – Yllas and Levi, Finland. Snow slides, a snow maze, art galleries and ice sculpture await you! With 7 rooms available you had better book this one early.

For further information please see - http://www.snowvillage.fi/