When Anthony Foliot, also known as Snowking, found out about an international snow cutting competition in Sweden this spring, he told Niki Mckenzie and her carving partner Kris Schlagintweit that they should apply.

“It was a bit of a process,” Mackenzie said.

The duo who have created snow sculptures at Yellowknife Snow Castle for the past five years had to submit an expression of interest, provide a design of the sculpture they are going to make, submit a “snow CV” – “This is the first time I’ve ever had to do something like that, “Mckenzie said, laughing – sending pictures of their work and getting letters of support.

But it paid off.

Mckenzie and Schlagintweit are going to Sweden next month to compete in the Kiruna Snow Festival’s international snow sculpture competition, which attracts some of the best artists in the world.

“It’s a bit of a shock,” Mckenzie said. “I’m from New Zealand. I had not even seen snow before I came here. This is a pretty big change for me.”

Mckenzie and Schlagintweit will be one of only six teams in the competition, which runs from 26 to 30 January.

Mckenzie said she is also excited to visit the festival’s ice hotel.

“Their ice hotel is almost as famous as our snow castle,” she joked.

“I’m really, really excited to see the different techniques and styles they use over there.”

She said for the competition, she and Schlagintweit and will carve Whaitiri, the equivalent of the goddess of thunder in Maori mythology.

“She is very powerful, very determined and seems to strike a blow at people she does not like,” Mckenzie said.

“So we will have this beautiful creature sitting on her long flowing hair that will be carved in the style of a sculpture by the amorist, with a flash.”

She added that the sculpture will be carved out of a snow block 10 feet by 10 feet by 10 feet.

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“I think it’s the biggest piece of snow I’ve ever carved,” Mckenzie said.

“I’m definitely scared. Kris and I have both trained hard. We have chopped wood and stacking and a dozen push-ups every morning to try to get in shape for it.”

While Mckenzie is excited for the upcoming trip, she is also nervous about traveling given the covid-19 pandemic.

“My family is all the way in New Zealand, and I have not been able to see them for the last two years because the borders have been closed and I am worried,” she said.

“But Kris and I are both double grown and we are planning to get our boosters. So… follow the rules and be sensible. We will be out most of the time and hopefully wearing very warm clothes. I” I’m not so worried about breathe on people. “

In the end, Mckenzie said, she’s hoping for something.

“I just hope we make our snow team proud here.”