Lake Louise - Ice Magic Festival

Friday through to Sunday afternoon, the previously quiet resort of Lake Louise was inundated with 100s of people, who braved the weather and roads, to see the ice carving competition.  Every year Lake Louise hosts a competition between some of the most talented ice carvers in the world, there is also many other activities and demonstrations to visit, whilst these chainsaw carrying artists ply their craft.

The competition allows for 15 x 150lB blocks of ice to be shaped into a 3D representation of the year's theme - Magical Madness. We were also lucky enough to see two demonstrations, one; a single carver, one block, half an hour - an amazing feat!!! And the following day watching two judges battle it out to some fabulous music, on the ski hill with two blocks and a LOAD of talent. The pictures won't do it justice - to see these manly men with their chainsaws come up with some of the most detailed, delicate art was truly amazing.

We also decided whilst at the festival to take the beautiful Horse Sleigh ride to the en of the lake and back. An absolute gorgeous 45minutes trip where we got to see frozen waterfalls where climbers like to test out their skills and some more cross country opportunities.

Please see photos

This fell off the roof at Deer Lodge

It is very impressive but very very cold

Tea Party at the Lodge

Meet Mark: Executive Director of Pet Relations at Chateau Fairmont

This is what you do in a 5 star hotel lobby - play catch with the dog!

NICE hat!!!

Welcome to the Ice Magic Festival

First Morning

The teams started work last night

Tools of the Trade

What will it be?????

This swan was prepared earlier

Scaffolding, shovels, chainsaws, ice picks - not normally what you expect an artist to use

This is for Kylee Chandler

Soo Cute

Sleigh Rides

Spider's leg in the making

Demonstration - 2x150 pound blocks of ice, one ice carver and half an hour on the clock

We begin with a 2D picture suggested by an audience member then sketched into the ice

Then cut the 2D image/block

Chainsaw action

Still a block - not yet 3D

The detail is added

All different types of drills are used depending on need

More detail

Almost there

Finishing touches

Now out comes the blow torch!

The blow torch makes it shiny

Have to be careful not to melt a hole in the carving

Almost Done

Final Touches

Da Daaa

Cold but cuddly 

Sleigh Ride

Without the sunnies

sleigh driver

4 sleighs in total went for the 45 mins sleigh ride to the end of Lake Louise and back

Frozen Waterfall

To give you perspective of sheer size!!!!!

This is for Harry -  well known for ice climbing

one of the sleighs

return trip

Ski mountain behind the Chateau

Rides were not actually on the Lake but beside it

Elona and the big puppy (horse)

Ice Bar

with fire

toasty warm

Elona in Mike's "Guide Pose"

Ice Bar at Night

Abs as hard as ice

Competition between 2 judges - one hour

2 blocks of ice

And they're off!!!!

Chainsaw between the legs - can't be good

It is all in the details - shaping the back pocket

Attaching the front of the skis

and now the back of the skis

contouring the base

smoothing out the edges

Hmmmmmmm

The competition gets rough

Amazing

How Cool

Carving up the slopes

different angle

Hang Ten

Reindeer 

Ski Slopes

Busy day at Ski Louise

The other 2/3s are on the other side of the mountain

Ski Lodge

Its big

Still more

Ugly Hero woman on mutant spider

Castle GreySkull

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Who is the fairest one of all

Role Reversal - This one scared the kiddies.  

They didn't understand why the rabbit was drowning the boy.

Not Sure

Quidditch anyone???

There is even a scar!

This is Elona's vote

This is Elona's moose

This is a snow sculpture inside an ice sculpture

and is seen sitting on the fairy's hand

favourite view from Deer Lodge to Lake Louise

Elona throws herself into the snow

and left an impression!