The 2026 Snowkings’ Winter Festival has officially opened.
Snowking and crew members sawed open the front door of the Snowcastle on Sunday before an eager crowd piled in to enjoy the winter wonder.
This is the 31st castle that a team of builders and carvers has made from ice and snow to host the festival on Yellowknife Bay.
Snowking said he’s looking for younger members to join his crew to keep the festival going into the future.
The royal court at the Snowcastle has expanded in recent years. This year it includes lead builder King Marty One Boot, ice slide architect and builder King Joe Snow, builder King Baron Von Blizzard and artistic director Queen Van Snow.
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This year’s festival – known as Snowking XXXI – takes place in a castle with an art deco theme.
People marvelled at details both inside and outside the castle on Sunday while enjoying slides, tunnels and other features.
Some people joined a drum dance as the Yellowknives Dene First Nation drummers played.
This year’s castle also features an art exhibit as part of the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts’ 80th anniversary celebrations.
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A slate of events is set to take place in the castle throughout the month of March. Peekaboo Kazoo took the stage on Sunday afternoon followed by Mallory Chipman.
Just outside the castle, a snow carving competition is set to begin on March 5 while a parklet is set to host a human library on March 14.
Admission to the castle will be free on March 13 thanks to donations from MLAs.
