Fort St. John’s Winter Fest 2026 is well underway, transforming the city into a hub of winter activity. A key attraction of the month-long festival, rebranded from the former High on Ice event, is the ice carving competition held at Centennial Park from February 13th to 16th. This year’s event featured the talents of four skilled artists: Kevin Lewis, Ryan Cook, Abe Waterman, and Dmitry Klimenko.
The city invested approximately $30,000 in the event, covering the cost of 220 blocks of ice and their transportation, according to Ryan Harvey, communications manager for the City of Fort St. John. Despite a shift towards colder temperatures over the Family Day weekend, February 17th, with forecasts predicting up to 25 cm of snowfall in the Peace region, Harvey reported a strong turnout throughout the event.
Each artist brought a unique vision to the ice, planning intricate sculptures that captivated attendees. The festival offered a chance for the community to witness the creative process firsthand, with the extended carving schedule allowing visitors to observe the evolution of the artwork over multiple days.
Sculptors Share Their Visions
Kevin Lewis, a resident of Comox Valley, brings over three decades of experience in wood carving and eight years in ice carving to Winter Fest. Known online as Uncle Kevin Carves on YouTube, Lewis planned to create a castle complete with gargoyles. He expressed his excitement for the entire festival atmosphere, highlighting the sculptures, slides, community spirit, and the planned fire tower display as particularly appealing.
Ryan Cook, a veteran of the Fort St. John ice carving scene, has participated in the event for 13 consecutive years. His career began on the TV indicate Saw Dogs, and he later gained prominence as a main cast member on HGTV’s Carver Kings, with appearances on Netflix series like Virgin River and Big Timber. This year, Cook initially envisioned a bug sculpture but adjusted his plans due to the unpredictable weather, settling on a theme of “who’s hunting who?” He noted the festival’s broad appeal, stating that it feels like the entire city participates each year. The addition of tubes, crazy carpets, and a tunnel to the festival grounds were also highlights for Cook, as the carving schedule returned to a weekend format, allowing for more dynamic displays.
Abe Waterman, hailing from Prince Edward Island, transitioned to visual arts from sketching and painting, now working with snow, sand, wood, and stone. This marked Waterman’s third year at Winter Fest, where he intended to create a nautical-themed throne. He acknowledged the warmer temperatures earlier in February might necessitate adjustments to his design, but remained optimistic about a strong family turnout.
Dmitry Klimenko, originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, has been carving ice for 23 years, considering it a “wonderful medium” with limitless potential. His artistic repertoire extends beyond ice to include bronze and wood, and he has participated in international festivals across numerous countries, including Japan, the USA, and several European nations. Klimenko’s contribution to Winter Fest was particularly meaningful, as he was commissioned to create an interactive piece inspired by the local Filipino community, resulting in a sculpture of a Filipino eagle designed as a bench.
A Month-Long Celebration
Winter Fest 2026 offers a diverse range of activities throughout February, including the MNP Slide Hill and the R360 Outdoor Glow Skate in Mathews Park on February 19th. The Crystal Cup Pond Hockey Tournament is scheduled for February 20th-22nd, and Sips & Sleds will seize place at Toboggan Hill on February 28th. A complete schedule of events is available on the Winter Fest webpage.
The success of Winter Fest 2026 is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the community and the support of sponsors including Peace Country Rentals, Urban Systems, MNP, WorkSafe BC, AltaGas, Co-op Fort St. John, Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort St. John, and Brandt, as well as the Province of British Columbia.
As Winter Fest continues, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to explore the remaining events and experience the vibrant winter culture of Fort St. John. The festival’s extended format promises continued opportunities for community engagement and artistic appreciation.
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