The 2022 High on Ice Winter Festival is quickly approaching! Held the Family Day Long Weekend, February 18 - 21, this event celebrates the best of being a Winter City.

City staff and event partners begin planning the event months in advance, and due to the pandemic, have been preparing multiple scenarios. Based on the current Provincial and Regional Health Orders, combined with the rapidly approaching event, the High on Ice Winter Festival will once again see some modifications from a traditional year.

This year’s theme, “Spirits from Within,” will be reflected in the carvings for the MNP Ice Sculpture Drive-thru at Centennial Park. While some event favourites, such as the Ice Slides and Community Carving Challenge, have been cancelled this year, the program features dozens of activities for people of all ages.

“Huge thanks go to our staff and event partners who have successfully pulled together another High on Ice Winter Festival. Although it is a very different winter celebration than we would like, this new format complies with the provincial health orders and will allow us to celebrate as winter citizens,” said Mayor Lori Ackerman.

This year’s carving team once again consists of an all Canadian contingent:

  • Ryan Cook
  • Kevin Lewis
  • David Ducharme
  • Doug Lingelbach
  • Susanne Ruseler
  • Ross Baisas
  • Tony Baisas

In addition, Ryan Cook and Kevin Lewis also make up Team BC for the Winterlude National Ice Carving Championship taking place February 5 and 6, 2022. Fort St. John is host to Team BC, who will compete against teams representing all 10 Canadian provinces. They have 20 hours to sculpt 15 blocks of ice and to create a work of art inspired by the theme ‘’Olympic and Paralympic spirit.’’

Learn more about the High on Ice Winter Festival and the Winterlude National Ice Carving Championship at www.fortstjohn.ca/ice

Information provided by the City of Fort St. John