Ice on Whyte

One of the parents of our school suggested this as a fieldtrip for our class since we ended our theme on «Inverno» (Winter). From start to finish, Kim and the whole staff that works the Children’s section was wonderful. From answering emails with questions ranging from «how many parents can we have?» to «we are running late, are we okay still?», everyone was very accommodating and helpful. We did the Lil’ Chippers Program and Signora Kim and Signora Jennifer were very clear and friendly throughout, even when the Igloo lost steam and we had to go outside it so they could get things blowing and rolling again :-)
Our students enjoyed themselves thouroughly even with the temperatures being a wee bit too high to keep things «frozen». The ice carvers that were there were super friendly and all our parents appreciated spots to sit (with a fire) and the food trucks not far from the «snack tent» where the children could hear live music and dance :-)
It was also quite affordable for the number of students and parents we had :-)
A very nice fieldtrip and happy surprise that they offer such a program for children :-)

I enjoy Ice on Whyte for so many reasons! It’s family friendly entertainment at a good price. And where else can you go to see world-​class ice carvings?
There are tons of 2 for 1 coupons out there from Ice on Whyte sponsors that you can find online too but even the regular gate fee isn’t exorbitant for this community festival. While I say community (because it has local roots and is a very approachable festival), it is getting major attention with the international artists they bring in and will be included in a Canada Cup ice carving competition with other cities in the coming few years.
I like to go two times — in the first week you can actually take in the ice carving and can often watch the competitors working. Then I like to go again closer to the end to see all of the completed sculptures from the competition. The talent always blows me away! If you’ve never been though and can only go once, I would recommend checking it out after the carving competition to get the maximum wow factor (although it is seriously entertaining to watch them work!).
I can appreciate that it’s been super warm the last few years which, while it makes it more fun for me to go (because I don’t love to be out in the cold), it can make running a winter festival challenging. But I feel like the entire team still puts on a great festival with lots to see and do (ice sculpture, skating, slides, live entertainment, food and so much more). The kids always have a great time as there’s a ton for them to do.
If you can go on the last night, they have the fire and ice event where they light a giant bonfire that’s encased in ice — it’s always fun to watch it crack and melt with the struggle of fire and ice.
This year they have the Tim Hortons beverage truck there (among other food vendors like Fat Franks, Sonars Donair, and a few more). I believe Tim Hortons is donating their proceeds back to the festival so it’s a great opportunity to enjoy some coffee or hot chocolate and support the festival in another way.
I like the parking as there’s lots of parking nearby (Farmers’ Market lot — as well as all of the other parking in the area) and great hours daily (10 – 10). If you can, I recommend going later afternoon so you can see everything in the daylight and then with all of the beautiful lights at night!

The line up was long. If you have a pass and I had no idea where you get one from you can go in quickly. I went with my mother and as we where in line she was debating whether the $ 7.00 entrance fee was worth it since we paid less two years ago, and the last time we attended this festival. Also find it crappy there isn’t a separate fee for seniors which my mother is.
Last time I went to this festival there was more carvings and they seemed to be all over the field so I wasn’t impressed I payed more for less. There was a tent with music and alcohol which I found interesting people drinking at ice event in the middle of the afternoon. This year this event would have been good if I brought my friends kids along since it really seemed geared for kids.
That’s great to read that people volunteer at this event and I may what till the last couple days to attend this event if I go next year since sculptures where still working on their pieces.

First off I want to say thank you to everyone who is volunteering at this event this year. No matter what event I go to I always marvel at and appreciate the wonderful volunteers. Your spirit and hard work is truly what makes this the city of champions.
However after experiencing this event in 2014 I really don’t see myself returning for 2015. Alot of the sculptures were covered up due to the warmer January day and I understand that nobody can control the weather but I would have thought the organizers would put a contingency plan into place prior to the beginning of the festival should such a circumstance as this actually come to be.
The ice slide was neat to see but sadly no big kids such as myself were allowed on and the entertainment sounded alright but this was certainly not worth the $ 6.00 I was charged. My friend and I walked the whole grounds including the little international market area in thirty minutes. Speaking of walking actually getting to the festival proved to be a nightmare. The large parking lot usually used by farmers market patrons was a slushy, muddy, pant leg destroying nightmare. If you are trying to establish a reputation as a winter city and draw hundreds of people to your festivals make your parking lot and adjacent sidewalks walkable.
If you have children I would encourage you to check it out later in the week as I have seen the forecast and it looks like there is going to be a bit of a temperature drop but as a woman without kids I can’t find a reason to return.

So I don’t have any kids, can you see where this is going? Was it worth the 10 min wait in line, hmmmmm nope. I also heard that this festival makes the top 10 list of winter festivals in North America (must be slim pickings). I was excited to see the finished pieces of art but wait there not finished, still being worked on. Huh? Why? I can understand maybe having one or two being worked on so I can see the process but all of them. Some were even headless??? I couldn’t really take any pics because the sculptor was in the way sculpting? Who is this festival for? KIDS. They can be wowed by the lights and even the huge ice slide. I toured the whole lands in 10 mins and it costed $ 10 to get in, for two. Will I be back? meh tough to say, not this year for sure. Ill admit though, that when those sculptures are done, they are gonna be bad ass.

I really do hate to say it, but I was slightly disappointed by this event. I guess our first rookie mistake was to go early on in the festival (we went Saturday night). Although it was really neat to watch the artists working; being barely 5 feet tall, and being that there was a bit of a crowd, often, all I could see was the back of the people heads.
Which brings me to my next point…
It irks me severely when people act oblivious to others at these events: I’m talking about the people who stand in the prime viewing area for EXTENDED periods of time, discussing everything BUT what is going on in front on them, while people like me are struggling on tippy toes trying to get a quick view over their shoulders. Come on people! Pretending to be completely oblivious to the people around you is NO EXCUSE for having absolutely no common sense or courtesy. Take the time to enjoy, but give others a chance as well — some like to refer to this as having RESPECT.
I was taken aback by the admission price — I was expecting about $ 2.50/person, so when the ticket lady asked for $ 5/​EACH; I was unpleasantly surprised. At $ 2.50/person I would have been more than willing to come back at a later time to check out the finished products. Call me cheap, but at those prices I am much less willing to go back since we only hung around for about half an hour. Next year, I will certainly check it out again; but I will wait until later in the festival so that I can take in the amazing displays (which truly are amazing feats of FREEZING COLD artistry) in all their *completed* beauty.

Loved Ice on Whyte this year! Every year we said we would go but somehow never managed to get around to it. This year, we finally decided to brave the cold and threw on the heavy winter boots for some winter fun. (It was freezing cold –30c, we lasted only a half hour tops.)
The ice sculptures are amazing! All kinds of shapes and sizes, it’s truly mind-​boggling what people can do with ice. We kicked ourselves for not bringing the camera, because this is definitely an event where you will want to take pictures! Colored lights are placed throughout the venue and shine on the various sculptures in changing colors to highlight the art and lend more festivity.
There are various ice slides, and they’re not just meant for the kids! Children and adults are welcome to test out the slides, although may I recommend wearing your snowpants if you plan on doing this. Sliding down ice in denim is not as effective … in fact, it’s rather disappointing! Yes, I am speaking from experience.
There is a tent set up as an «indoor» area where they sell hot cocoa and other tasty treats to warm up cold visitors. The festival was held for about 2 weeks this year at End of Steel Park and cost $ 5 for adult admission.
Looking forward to next year’s festival already! Although I hope it won’t be as cold … brr! Still totally worth it, might as well play up the long winters we have!

Edmonton’s summer festivals are definitely fantastic, but there’s still stuff to see in the winter too. Ice on Whyte is a fun way to get some fresh air in the winter too.
Admission is $ 2, there’s hot chocolate, and if you’re feeling like a kid, you can slide down the ice slide. There are tons of amazing ice carvings, giant sculptures and furniture too, and hot chocolate to warm you up.
The festival also looks awesome at night, which is handy given that it’s usually held during our dark months.

Ice on Whyte is such a great event.
It cost $ 2 to get in and it was worth every penny (and more)! Ice on Whyte is an ice carving festival. It’s a competition and it’s a showing of beautiful skill, technique, and art.
They had local musicians playing and they had hot chocolate to sip while you walked around in awe.
They had a huge ice slide for people to ride down. And I mean HUGE! It was incredible! There was a little ice maze for kids to go through (I was jealous), and a castle with ice tables, chairs, a bed and fireplace. It was amazing!
There were also some people still carving when we went so it was really neat to see the process the artists go through and how much work they put into it all.
Ice on Whyte is an annual event in Edmonton and it’s getting bigger and better each year. It finished on January 24 this year so make sure you plan on going next time around. You won’t be sorry!