Minnesota Ice Festival Announces Carver Cup Ice Sculpting Competition

Five award-winning teams will compete for cash prizes at the inaugural event

Want to see some true winter artistry? Head to the Minnesota Ice Festival’s inaugural Carver Cup Ice Sculpting Competition, where five award-winning teams from the United States (Alaska, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, and Texas) and the United Kingdom will transform 37,500 pounds of ice into unique sculptures.

Minnesota Ice Festival

Photo by Snack Media

The two-person teams will have complete creative control over their frozen masterpieces—there’s no specific theme, other than using ice. Each team will work with 25 large blocks of ice weighing 300 pounds a piece. Sculptures will be judged based on precision, creativity, use of ice, and overall impact, and varying cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third-place teams, plus a People’s Choice Award recipient.

“Hosting the Carver Cup is an incredible opportunity to highlight the artistry and ingenuity of ice sculptors,” says Robbie Harrell, CEO of Minnesota Ice, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to bring this level of talent to the Minnesota Ice Festival and provide attendees with a front-row seat to the creative process.”

The competition will take place in TCO Stadium at Viking Lakes from Thursday, Jan. 30 to Saturday, Feb. 1. To purchase tickets, visit the Minnesota Ice Festival’s website.