FEBRUARY 2024
Tickets are on sale now for XXIX evening events. Buy them here: https://snowking.ca/shop
The events calendar for XXIX has been posted. Check the Events page of the website.
October 2023
We’re getting our ducks in a row for XXIX - stay tuned. More information will be coming soon!
July 2023
Mark your calendars! We’ll be back March 2-29, 2024.
We’ll be back with a bigger(!) Great Hall to host live events on weekends and selected weeknights, ice slides, the International Snow Carving Symposium, an outdoor playground, and much more!
For some blasts of the past, check out our YouTube channel for a collection of videos that have been shared over the years.
Have a wonderful summer and stay cool!
July 2022
Mark your calendars, friends and fans of the kingdom: March 1-26, 2023
February 14, 2022
Snowkings’ Winter Festival Coming Back to Greatness (almost)
Yellowknife Bay, Feb 14, 2022 – His Majesty’s frosty realm of magical ice and snow is gradually returning to its former glory as the Kingdom’s most anticipated celebration of all things winter.
“On March 1, we will again be cutting open the snowy gate to the Castle and welcoming any and all to revel in its wonders,” proclaimed The Snowking (aka Anthony Foliot) today. It will mark the 27th year – Snowking XXVII - for what is one of Canada’s most ambitious and creative winter fetes.
Festival Society President FreezeFrame (aka Bill Braden) says visitors will see some welcome changes from last year’s event, which due to Covid-19 controls had to severely curb capacity and cut the festival’s highly anticipated live performances.
“This year, with approval from the Chief Public Health Officer, we can again open the gates to our full capacity of up to 250 visitors at a time. Hurray! That means no more advance booking, no more line-ups, and no more time limits,” says a much relieved FreezeFrame. It also means a regular admission fee will again be charged, helping the festival build its treasury back from last year’s free entry. Also in compliance with CPHO approval is a requirement that all visitors 12 and over will need to show proof of vaccination.
“We’re sorry that one of our most popular features – the live performances and community shows in the Great Hall – have to be paused this year,” says Braden, “because of the restrictions on limited indoor attendance. A small outdoor stage is being built, and the Festival is seeking performers brave enough to take their talent outdoors.”
“The festival’s feature attraction of its thrilling Snow Slide will be back better than ever,” says veteran builder King Joe Snow (aka Ryan McCord). The magic skills of the castle’s frost-bitten team of inspired builders and carvers will all be on display, while teams of talented carvers are being recruited for the awesome, all local Snow Sculpting Symposium.
“We tip our toques to the many loyal supporters and businesses that have helped us,” says Braden, “plus the good folks at the City of Yellowknife, GNWT, Heritage Canada and the NWT Arts Council.” Yellowknife MLAs have also pitched in with contributions that support free entry on opening day Tuesday, March 1.
“If you dig snow like me and my crew, then this is the place for you!” suggests The Snowking, “and do it safely!
Bill Braden (FreezeFrame)
President, Snowking’s Festival Society
Freezeframe@Snowking.ca 867 445 8953
MORE DETAILS:
Opening Noon on Tuesday March 1, closing Sunday March 27. Tuesday to Sundays, noon to 5 pm. Saturdays 7 to 10 pm.
FREE admission on Opening Day March 1. Thank you Yellowknife MLAs!
Daily Admission: $10 for adults. $5 for kids 6 to 15 years. Kids under 6 free. Family of 4 or more $5 each.
Season Pass: $75 for adults. $40 for youth 6 to 15 years. Family Pass $150
Proof of Vaccination mandatory for anyone 12 years and over.
Masking is not mandatory, but highly recommended. Please follow safe Covid protections like social distancing.
Snowking Merchandise on sale at the Visitors Centre. Exciting new Snowking bling!
Programming: Performers and community acts are welcome to sign up for afternoons at the outdoor mini-stage. See our Events page for details and show us your stuff!
Snow Carving Competition is inviting teams of up to 4 artists to create their snowy masterpiece from 8x8x8’ snow cubes. Deadline for entry: Feb 20, 4 pm. Cash Awards. Click here for details.
The Famous Reverse Raffle is now underway. 550 tickets give one chance at a $5000 jackpot. Non-winning tickets will be drawn daily until one is left on March 27. Deadline to purchase is midnight Feb 27. Click here for details.
Lotsa free parking on Yellowknife Bay. To avoid traffic jams, enter from the north via the Houseboat Road and exit south via the Dettah Ice Road. Better yet, come down by bus, ski, bike, snowshoe or winter boot.
No food or drink inside the Castle, thanks
Volunteers are always needed to help with monitoring visitors, admission, and merch sales. See details.
Private rentals of the Castle are available on a limited basis. For more information email admin@snowking.ca
February 2022
The team is gearing up for Snowking XXVII
Construction is well on its way and the festival will run from March 1-27, 2022, pending COVID-19 restrictions. A few notes for all of those wondering:
Proof of vaccination will be required for all people involved with the festival and guests visiting the site.
We are looking for sponsors! Contact us to find out how giving to the festival can help your business.
We are looking for volunteers! Whether you’re returning, or brand new to the festival, contact us or sign up here.
We will have a community stage and are looking for performers! Check out our events page for more info.
More information on carving competition, private rentals, and performances coming soon!
The 2022 King of the Hill Reverse Raffle is on! Get your tickets here!
March 17, 2021
Snowbuddy’s trying to expand his circle of friends
Thank you Yellowknife! Visitors to Snowbuddy’s Winter Garden have been ‘paying’ back their free admission with million-dollar smiles as they marvel at and explore this year’s snow playground. We see your grinning eyes, if not your teeth behind the masks. We also know that others around town are sporting frowns and wrinkled foreheads, poorer for the fact that they are unable to book their spot on our pre-registration page. We’re sorry for that and in an attempt to accommodate as many people as possible during the last week of the Garden (March 23-28) here’s what Snowbuddy and all his buddies are gonna do:
Ask that everyone be as understanding as possible. Simple math underlies the problem: whereas 16 000 people would visit the Snowcastle in a normal year, Covid restrictions means that only about 1/3 of that number can visit the Garden this spring. So, if you’ve already visited the site why not unzip your coat and take your hands off the keyboard, leaving the remaining available spots for those who haven’t been so lucky?
Request that folks stop knocking on Snowbuddy’s door, asking for favours. He has a big heart sure, but not the authority to just sneak you in.
Starting March 23, reduce the group size on a pre-booked ticket from 10 to 5, ultimately increasing your chance to score a much-coveted entry. Of course, if you do book a ticket make sure you arrive on time and if you're unable to come, please cancel ASAP through our registration system. No-shows are just no good.
Keep our gloved-fingers crossed that Public Health will grant our request to allow more visitors into the Garden next week...big thanks to CPHO for all their help to date.
Send out an SOS to the world for more volunteers. Contact admin@snowking.ca if you can spare some free time at the free Garden during March break. We need your help.
Encourage fans of everything frosty to take in the snow carvings outside the Garden, not to mention the terrifyingly beautiful dinosaur designs and snow-and-ice masonry on the Garden wall exterior. No entry or tickets required.
Of course, the sad truth of the matter is that the global pandemic disappoints on many levels. It’s quite likely that some may not be able to book a spot when tickets again go live on Sunday, the 21st at 9:00 am. Please try and take comfort in the fact that Snowbuddy has done his best to keep the winter tradition alive during these difficult days and fully intends to bounce back next winter with another frozen fortress - form and festival details TBD.
For more info contact Black Ice Mike, Bosom buddy to Snowbuddy: icemike@snowking.ca
JANUARY 30, 2021
The Really Good News: SNOWBUDDY'S WINTER GARDEN OPENS MARCH 2
You've been watching it grow since January 1. The Crew's been pouring, carving and sawing non-stop since then, and we're stoked to announce Opening Day will be Tuesday March 2. Hours will be 12 noon to 5 pm, every day except Monday. More details to come in the next couple weeks!
The Not-so-Good News: COVID Cancels Public Door-Busting Event
Sorry, folks, due to our uninvited guest, that nasty Mr. Covid, we won't be able to welcome you to witness in person the traditional Grand Opening (when the Crew saws through snowwall). We're gonna do it anyway, prior to March 2, and you'll be able to see it in virtual reality, live on tape, when we stream video of the event later in the week.
The Even Better News: Yes, there WILL be a SnowSlide
What would Snowbuddy say if his garden had no slide? This much-loved - and for some, most-feared - feature will absolutely be back.
The Like-Everywhere-Else News: Reservations Recommended
Like just about everything else these days, that nasty Mr. Covid is changing things for Snowbuddy, too. We will be asking for everyone to stick with the social distancing, masks and all. We are looking into an on-line reservation system for folks and families to book time/day to avoid line-ups outside in the cold... more detail to come.
Snow News is Good News: Sculptures Needing Sculptors
What could you do with an 8-foot cube of the best snow sculpting snow in the world? Show Us! We need teams to fill out Snowbuddy's Garden with amazing original creations. Check the 2021 SNOW CARVING COMPETITION tab on this website for info on how to join.
Put-Up-Your-Hand News: Call for Volunteers
Like any festival, it can't happen without some dedicated volunteers. There's lots to do, and we'll make it worth your while! Contact admin@snowking.ca to sign up.
SnowBuddy's Merch-and-Ice News:
Need a snowsaw? How about a pair of cool new shades for all that bright sunshine we'll be getting? Check out the SHOP tab on this website for Snowbuddy's great line of bling... and stay tuned for amazing new bling to come!
Looking for general info or just plain curious about anything Snwbuddy-ish? Email: admin@snowking.ca
SNOWKING PLANTS SEEDS FOR 2021: NOT YOUR GARDEN-VARIETY WINTER PLAYGROUND
(Yellowknife, NT, Dec. 18)
Northerners who have come to expect a springtime snow-and-ice spectacle on Great Slave Lake can sleep easy this holiday: Snowkings* Winter Festival is pleased to announce a new twist on a winter tradition. Introducing Snowbuddy’s Winter Garden!
Who the heck is Snowbuddy? Snowbuddy is an often-mentioned but seldom-seen comrade of cool, whose vision for a free-of-charge Winter Garden is a perfect fit for a world changed by a global pandemic. Frost Farmers, Icicle Ranchers and the usual band of Snowcrew and carvers are ready to pitch in to grow this new 'snowbudding' playground starting January 1, 2021.
What is a Winter Garden anyway? Snowbuddy’s Winter Garden is an outdoor, open-air playground in the vicinity of the Snowkingdom with recreational and artistic installations to occupy and amaze Yellowknifers through the month of March, allowing us to gather in spirit, if not in clusters, along the ice of YK Bay.
Is there gonna be a castle? While we don’t want to tip our hand just yet, (but yes, it’s a Royal Flush!) we can confirm that there will be a snow structure, though it won’t be quite like castles of years past.
Ok, but will there be a slide? Darn tootin’! Snowbuddy's a new kid on the block and a kid at heart. Deadman’s slide and a tamer, toddler version will most certainly sprout from the Winter Garden.
Happy to share the spotlight with his new snow-buddy, Snowking himself says:
"Despite the difficulties of our times, we are still committed to bringing winter fun to the children. That is the main goal here. There may be aspects of the festival that you will miss this year, but we hope to broaden our scope and bring something cool to our town that we can continue to be proud of.”
Well said Snowking. Yes, Yellowknife needs Snowbuddy and Snowbuddy needs Yellowknife: to understand that a Winter Garden is just a new way to bring the same old sense of winter wonder to young, and old alike.
If you can't wait ‘til March to get your frosty fix of all things Snowking, check out our new online store with merchandise available for pick up in Yellowknife.... just in time for holiday shopping!
Stay cool and stay tuned for more details as the seeds of the Garden begin to sprout.
Media enquiries:
Black Ice Mike
icemike@snowking.ca
* Not a typo! There are multiple Kings: King Avalanche, King Joe Snow, King Von Blizzard, King of Snow (Snowking).
2021 UPDATE
We know you are wondering what’s up. As you can imagine, it’s difficult to predict. We do expect to bring our city some form of entertainment - so fear not. For those looking to visit, please be aware of NWT travel restrictions in response to Covid-19. We regret that it’s this way, but we are not encouraging any non residents to visit this year.
Stay tuned friends, and stay cool!