Ice Museum

March 1, 2010

Written by Michelle McKinley, Fairbanks reporter for RateitFairbanks

When in a cold northern climate like Alaska, it only makes sense to experience all the cold has to offer, including art, presentations, and the like. The Fairbanks Ice Museum presents visitors with a media show, displaying pictures from the World Ice Art Championships that takes place there during February or March. The ice museum also offers visitors unique thrills like a trip down an ice slide, a cavernous refrigerator that houses all the previous ice sculptures, and the simple experience of cold, brisk winter.

The Ice Museum is open 10am to 8pm from May to September. Adults pay a $12 admission fee, Military personnel and seniors pay $11, children ages 6 - 12 pay $6, and children under 5 years old pay $2. After the full media show, visitors will be guided to the ice sculpture showcase area, where they are free to take pictures of some stunning works of ice art, including towering sculptures over seven feet tall. The sculptures depict everything from human figures to inanimate objects.

At the Ice Museum, guests will also get a chance to see live ice carving demonstrations. Ice sculptures are created with a mixture of tools, including hammers, chisels, and even saws. The experience makes for quite a show. Children of all ages, and even adults, will enjoy the carving, and who doesn't love snuggling up to an ice figure of a wooly mammoth afterward?

As you trek through the ice sculpture area, you'll see some truly amazing sculptures. In the current exhibit the museum has a clock tower, Cinderella carriage, horses, giant Cinderella slipper, and assorted animals. The auditorium in the museum can seat over a hundred guests comfortably in movie theater style seating. Once you begin the tour, the multimedia show begins displaying photos and video from previous ice carving competitions. All in all the show takes about thirty minutes, then guests are guided through the ice sculpture stations, so they can take pictures and enjoy the hard work of the artists.

The Ice Museum presents a novel opportunity for guests of all ages. The media show, tour, and other events can last around two hours, and everyone walks away with plenty of pictures to show back home. It's a good family fun activity that won't cut too much time out of anyone's schedule. If you're in Fairbanks for any length of time, the Ice Museum should be on your sightseeing tour.