WINNERS OF WINTERLUDE’S NATIONAL SNOW SCULPTURE COMPETITION

This is an archived article about a previous Winterlude event. For up-to-date information about this year's events & activities, please visit our Ottawa Winterlude Guide.

The National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Ville de Gatineau, is pleased to announce the winners of the Winterlude National Snow Sculpture Competition. The competition, which closed today at noon, began February 9 at the Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau.

Ten teams of carvers, representing Canadian provinces and territories, took part in the National Snow Sculpture Competition. Inspired by this year’s theme of “Winter Fun,” carvers created sculptures of epic proportions out of gigantic blocks of snow – each measuring 3.7 metres (12 feet) wide, 3.7 metres (12 feet) deep and 4.9 metres (16 feet) high and weighing approximately 40 tonnes.

The following winners, as determined by the jury, were announced today at 4 pm at Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park:

First Prize:                  Alberta team
The Alberta team is comprised of team captain Brian McArthur (Red Deer), Eric Burton (Edmonton) and Michael Decaire (Mirror). Brian has led snow sculpting teams in the National Snow Sculpture Competition five times: in 2003, when they took second prize; in 2006; in 2007, when they won the People’s Choice Award; in 2008, when they took third prize; and in 2009 when they took first prize.

Sculpture entitled: Snow Skates
Canadians everywhere love to go skating — and on anything from local rinks to flooded backyards, lakes and rivers, but, one of the most special and fun places in Canada to skate is on the Rideau Canal Skateway. The skates capture the enthusiasm and love that Canadians have for our winters.

Second Prize:              British Columbia team
The British Columbia team is comprised of team captain Simon Mitchell (Nelson), James Karthein (Crescent Valley) and Kevin Kratz (Crescent Valley). Simon has led this snow sculpting team in the National Snow Sculpture Competition three times: in 2006, when they took second prize; in 2007, when they took third prize; and in 2009.

Sculpture entitled: Waterfall Wonderland
People in B.C. need to be outside “chasing their buzz” in the winter. Not satisfied with the usual winter sports, some jump off cliffs, some paraglide on skis and others climb frozen waterfalls. Some are as crazy as to carve blocks of snow — anything to get out and have fun on the short, special days of winter. Connecting with the nature — changing the soul!

Third Prize:    Ontario team
The Ontario team is comprised of team captain Brian Clemence (Plantagnet), Dave Osborne (Ottawa) and Grant Laturnus (Ottawa). Between them, the Ontario team has more than 60 years of carving experience, including in Jacques-Cartier Park and at Dows Lake.

Sculpture entitled: Fun Winter Fight
Fight the good winter fight in Ontario and you’ll get hooked! There are few things more fun than ice fishing on one of Ontario’s many lakes and rivers. Hook one of these water monsters and you’ll wonder who has caught whom.

Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park voted today between noon and 4 pm for their favourite creation.

People’s Choice Award:        Alberta team

Sculpture entitled: Snow Skates

For more information about Winterlude, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at Winterlude.gc.ca.

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