This year the Team Yukon submission will be carved by young carvers from the Sundog Carving Centre. These carvers currently work five days a week creating beautiful masks, canoe paddles and even door panels at their own Carving Centre on Strickland Street and Fourth Avenue.

Three winters ago a group of Sundog carvers requested to join with our professional sculptors brought by Air Canada from across North America so that they could learn the ancient skill of Snow carving. As a result one of their Carvers, Calvin Morberg was chosen by Canadian Champion Donald Watt to join him in Harbin China to represent Canada in 2009. Their efforts in China resulted in a podium finish for Canada. In 2010 Calvin again joined Michael and Donald in Quebec were they took first place in the Quebec Carnaval International Snow Sculpture Competition.

This year the team of Sundog carvers will carve their own full size Challenge piece representing Yukon. Team members are: Ben Gribben, Fred Stick, Aaron Blanchard, Dave Douquet, Morgan Ayles, Lester Gladue and Chantel Boya. Carving snow is the same basic skill set used in carving wood or even sand, using many of the same tools, but the size and scope of the projects are certainly different. The snow blocks created for these young people are an enormous 12' x 10' x 8' and will be placed around the Air Canada Snow Pavillion. Visitors can check out their progress each day at the site and watch this space for photos! www.snowcarver.ca