Tools of Ice Carving

On our first visit to the ice park, we were able to see the Single-Block creations all finished and judged. The winning entry was a praying mantis. I will try to get some pictures of these on our next visit. It was a challenge to get good photos in natural daylight. The sun has to be at just the right angle. The background has to be dark and uncluttered, since the ice is so translucent. We will visit the park again in the evening hours when they add colored lights to the pieces.

Next we were able to see the Multi-Block entries in the process of being created. I have included several pictures here of the tools, such as chain saws, and scaffolding being used. It was just fascinating. We kept saying over and over, how are they able to make the thin, curved pieces? These artists will try anything. Sometimes their efforts crack and have to be discarded. They really stretch the limit of what ice can do. Look at the guy with the chain saw cutting off a thin sliver off the back of his "five." You can see the saw right through the back of the shape! Look at the artist using a scraper to carve a perfect cube. Then, magically, the cubes are attached to a thin wand of ice!