subject: Visit The Magical Side Of Winter [print this page] When you think of ice, you probably think of that nasty, slippery stuff that freezes to your car and sidewalk and has to be scraped off all winter. If you think about enjoying ice, youre probably thinking of skating on a rink or on a frozen pond, or even playing a friendly game of hockey. However, theres more than one way to enjoy snow, ice and other forms of chilly winter water. One of those ways is to visit an ice carnival or a snow show and see what happens when snow and ice meet art and creativity!
We all know that ice and snow can be molded into different shapes. Who didnt build snowmen and snow forts as a kid? And who hasnt seen novelty ice cubes or fantastic ice luges at a party? What many people dont realize is that the creative possibilities of snow and ice go far beyond what one or two people can build in their back yard. A snow show is the perfect way to see just how amazing snow can become when the right people get their hands on it. A snow show or an ice carnival is exactly what the name implies; its a show where all the main attractions are made of frozen water. The most common form of ice-based attraction is the ice sculpture. Using tools ranging from chain saws to delicate picks, talented artists can turn blocks of ice into magnificent crystalline creations that delight the eye and defy the imagination. Depending on the ice and snow that they use, ice sculptures can be pure white or crystal-clear. They can reflect the sunlight or magnify colored electrical lights, becoming magical confections that look like theyre made from rainbows. Some ice sculptors add dye to their ice so that they can make multicolored sculptures that barely seem to be made from snow at all!
An ice carnival or snow show doesnt stop with standalone sculptures, though. When a snow show is designed for families with small children, ice art can be made with ladders and slopes for kids to climb and slide on, like a frozen waterslide. Some ice carnivals include entire buildings made completely of ice. There are crystal-clear ice castles that are open for tourists to wander through. Some carnivals even have restaurants, skating rinks and fully functional hotels made completely of ice! As amazing as this may sound, guests report being quite warm and cozy sleeping in their ice-carved rooms!
Next time youve got the winter blues, visit a snow show or a winter carnival. Take the whole family along to enjoy the artistry and wonder of a whole magical world carved from ice. Eating a meal in a sparkling ice palace or watching the kids slide down a huge ramp of curvy, slippery ice will remind you that winter doesnt have to be dreary and that the cold can be just as much fun as summer. Enjoy everything that winter has to offer by celebrating the artistic spirit of winters artists. Visit a winter show and prepare to love winter again!
