March 3, 2020

Over the weekend, Yellowknife Bay looked like a scene from Disney’s Frozen as the annual snow castle opens its doors to the public. With windows of glistening ice, snowflakes engraved in smooth walls of snow, and whimsical halls, slides and a foyer; the 25th anniversary of the Snowking Festival may be its best yet.    

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) has been a proud supporter of the event that draws thousands of patrons each year. Through Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development and the Tourism Product Diversification and Marketing Program, ITI has supported the festival’s programming, advertising, and website development over the years.   

From art work and fashion shows to cultural performances and film screenings there is much to be enjoyed and celebrated during the festivities that run throughout the month of March. Events like the Snowking Festival are a major draw to the territory for travellers, who increasingly center their trips around celebrations and festivals, an important economic driver.

The castle is a feat of architectural imagination and thanks to a great deal of hard work and rosy cheeks, it comes to life each year and captures the spirit of the NWT – creative, community-focused, and stubborn in the face of -40C. Congratulations to the Snowking, Anthony Foliot, and his many staff and volunteers for delighting northerners and visitors each winter!