The Great Ice Show in Winnipeg

With only one day to devote to sightseeing in Winnipeg, this year it was obvious to me that I should take in The Great Ice Show at The Forks National Historic Site.  For anyone traveling to Winnipeg, it will be here until February 28th.

The impressive structure in the background is the Human Rights Museum

I went in late afternoon, hoping to stay through part of the evening when it is all lit up. As it turned out, mine was a daytime experience. It was a ton of fun with over 100 beautiful ice and snow sculptures. Here are two of my favorite.

There were bumper cars (or bumper tubes) that one could try out. There was an ice bridge, an ice igloo, and a replica of Manitoba's Legislative Building which contained the most amazing and thrilling ice slide. I took a lightning fast sled ride down the ice slide from the top. It was reminiscent of a bobsled ride I did years ago in Lake Placid, but it was much shorter of course and I was on a piece of blue plastic!

At the top of these stairs awaits an exciting ice slide ride to the bottom! Note-descending ice steps is almost as scary as going down the slide.

Speaking of slides, there were many. Young and old would grab sleds placed at the bottom of each slide and everyone was having a great time. Some children brought their own sleds. One of the other impressive slides was found on Dinosaur hill where at the top there was a sculpture of life size dinosaurs carved into a mountain of snow.

The top of Dinosaur Hill

There was another slide where you shot out the mouth of some scary toothed critter- a bear or wildcat I think. I liked the view from the top where it appeared you were in the mouth of the beast. Folks could stand on the ice bridge and watch the fun as kids of every age flew out of the beast's mouth.

While enjoying the festivities at The Forks, I was reminded again of just how much these folks embrace their winter months by adding fun. Another awesome visit to Winnipeg.