Tatry Ice Master 2018 – wonderful ice sculptures in High Tatras National Park

So it’s here again! The 6th year of Ice Sculpture festival called TATRY ICE MASTER has been held again in Hrebienok in the High Tatras National Park, Slovakia. The result is amazing! 50 tonnes of ice blocks were used for creating 40 breathtaking ice sculptures.

Ice sculptors from 10 countries (Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, USA, Wales, Malaysia, Netherlands, Latvia, Portugal and Slovakia) were working on them for three days (12th-14th January 2018) and competed for the most beautiful sculpture.

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018

On the first day of an event, the sculptors were free to create any sculpture they wished. The rest was based on various themes: The Land I Come From and The World of Fauna and Flora.

The winning ice sculpture on The world of fauna and flora was created by a Russian team, while the best team on The Land I Come From theme came from Wales. While the majority of sculptures were created outside and are now slowly melting (so come as soon as possible if you want to see them all), there are several ones that can be still admired in a large covered cupola.

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Tatry Ice Master 2018, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Ice sculptures outside of covered cupola

There are still lots of amazing ice sculptures that can be seen outside in Hrebienok, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia. During our visit it was snowing quite heavily, so they were covered with snow.

Tatry Ice Sculptures 2018 – Hrebienok, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

Ice sculptures are, however, not the only attraction you can look forward to seeing here in Hrebienok. Next to it is another covered cupola which houses another traditional ice masterpiece, the Tatra Ice Dome! Read more about Tatra Ice Dome here.

Tatra Ice Dome 2018, Hrebienok, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia

How to get to Hrebienok?

It’s so easy 🙂 Hrebienok is an attractive destination for visitors to the High Tatras National Park. It’s 1285 meters above sea level and you can get there on foot (see the hiking map here: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2mZGf) or by funicular from Starý Smokovec resort.

From here (once you enjoy the ice sculptures) you can continue further to other amazing places in the mountains, such as Rainerova chata cottage, Zamkovského chata cottage, Zbojnícka chata or Téryho chata (in winter Hiking Ice Grips may be useful), Skalnaté pleso glacial lake and other amazing places.

Where to stay?

Being the most popular winter and summer destination in Slovakia, there are lots of hotels in High Tatras National Park.

There is even a hotel/cottage at Hrebienok, not far from Ice Sculptures. It is even a great starting point for your hiking trips to the national park. Its name is Bilíková chata and this wooden cottage is almost 100 years old and offers about 40 beds.

Its location is really unique! Find more hotels in the High Tatras with the best and unique locations here: Unique hotels in the High Tatras National Park.