York Ice Trail 2022

The UK’s biggest outdoor Ice Trail and one of city's ‘coolest’ events returned to York on the 5th - 6th March for frosty and fantastical fun where people were transported “Around the World” with over 40 magnificent ice sculptures transforming the city centre into a magical wonderland.

York Ice Trail, organised by Make It York and in association with York Park and Ride, saw residents and visitors to the city travelling ‘Around the World’ with this year’s sculptures including the main sponsor First York’s Park and Ride bus which was waiting for commuters on St Sampson’s Square, as well at The Betty’s Express Train which could be boarded on Davygate. York BID had seven sculptures to find, with one for every continent of the world, which were inspired by Disney characters ranging from classic characters to new favourites.

Sculptures of solid ice once again lined the streets waiting to be discovered, including an invitation to disappear down a rabbit hole at Middleton’s Hotel where they had transformed their grounds into a magical wonderland complete with an Alice in Wonderland themed Afternoon Tea and four show-stopping ice sculptures including the white rabbit and the executioner's block. As well as providing excellent photo opportunities, there was plenty to keep the whole family entertained with giant playing cards, and pink flamingos which were out on the Cottage Lawn to cocktails provided by York Gin. 

A great way for families to explore the city centre, people were finding their way around the Ice Trail and discovering their favourite sculptures. For the international sports lovers following the trail, the Rugby League World Cup trophy on Parliament Street was a favourite amongst crowds in celebration of York being a host city for this autumn’s tournament. The Viking heritage is still very much celebrated in the city with a sculpture of “The Vikings” provided by Coppergate Centre located close by to JORVIK Viking Centre.  Providing fun for the whole family over the weekend, York Ice Trail has helped both residents and visitors discover new parts of the city and encouraged people to stay for longer.

City of York Council’s “The York Skyline” had famous York landmarks carved into the ice and was located on Exhibition Square. Other sculptures ranged from a wizard golf challenge provided by The Hole in Wand on Parliament Street, and a diamond ring giveaway as part of the Eco Rocks Diamond sculpture by Bradleys the Jewellers on Low Petergate.

The event has proved very popular in previous years with over 31,000 people taking part in 2020 when the trail took place over two days in February. Ice sculptor creators Ice Box, the UK and Europe’s leading ice sculpture specialist, were working their magic and crafting an impressive ice sculpture from scratch on St Sampson’s Square and youngsters were having a go on the graffiti wall on Parliament Street. In light of the rally which took place in St Helen’s square on Saturday 5th March, a special ice sculpture was commissioned by Ice Box and Make it York in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The heart shaped sculpture of the Ukrainian flag was positioned in St Helen’s square on Saturday 5th March, where many people gathered in support of Ukraine.

Don’t forget to share your frosted finds from over the weekend with #YorkIceTrail and tag @VisitYork into your posts. It would be great if you could let us know what you thought of the York Ice Trail by completing this survey so that we can improve on next year’s event and we will also enter you into our free prize draw to win Rugby League World Cup tickets!

All these icy creations from around the world were generously sponsored by the following businesses. How many did you find?

• Around the World, Blake Street – Provided by Make It York
• The Home of Pizza & Pasta, Blake Street – provided by ASK Italian
• The York Skyline, Exhibition Square – Provided by City of York Council
• The Queen of Hearts, Lendal – Provided by The Judge’s Lodging
• Oceania: Bruce (Nemo), Wellington Row – Provided by York BID
• May I Take Your Luggage? Station Rise – Provided by The Grand, York
• 70 Years Anniversary Oak, Station Road – Provided by North York Moors National Park
• Leap of Faith by Gudelia Li, Hudson Quarter – Provided by Hudson Quarter
• South America: Kevin (UP), Micklegate – Provided by York BID
• The Executioner’s Block, Middletons - Provided by Middletons Hotel
• Cheshire Cat, Middletons – Provided by York Gin
• The White Rabbit, Middletons – Provided by Middletons Hotel
• Mad Hatters Tea Party, Middletons - Provided by Middletons Hotel
• Take the Helm, Captain!, Kings Staith – Provided by City Cruises
• Penguin on Parade, Tower Street – Provided by York Army Museum
• Africa: Simba (Lion King), Castlegate – Provided by York BID
• Wanted: Dick Turpin, Spurriergate - Provided by York Dungeon
• Big Ben Strikes Ate O’Clock, High Ousegate – Provided by Ate O’Clock
• The Vikings, Coppergate Centre – Provided by Coppergate Centre
• The Melting Earth, Piccadilly – Provided by Spark: York
• Antartica: Olaf (Frozen), Fossgate - Provided by York BID
• Europe: Remi (Ratatouille), The Shambles - Provided by York BID
• The LNER Azuma Selfie. Kings Square – Provided by LNER
• North America: Pepita (Coco), Goodramgate - Provided by York BID
• The Sovereign’s Orb, Minster Piazza – Provided by York Minster
• Eco Rocks Diamond by Kay Bradley, Low Petergate – Provided by Bradleys
• Waitress, Grape Lane – Provided by Lucia Bar
• Atlas the Turtle, Little Stonegate – Provided by Turtle Bay
• The Bettys Express Train, Davygate – Provided by Bettys
• Heavenly Delight, St Helen’s Square – Provided by Heavenly Desserts
• Asia: Sisu (Raya and the Last Dragon), Coney Street – Provided by York BID
• The Astronaut, Davygate – Provided by Shepherd Group
• Space Shuttle, Feasegate – Provided by Viewpoint
• Live Carving, St Sampson's Square – Provided by York Ice Trail
• Cow Print, St Sampson’s Square – Provided by Cut and Craft
• Rugby League World Cup Trophy, Parliament Street – Celebrating York as a host city
• Norris the Knight, Parliament Street – Provided by York Knights
• Flying Carpet in the Market, Shambles Market – Provided by Shambles Market
• Bug Count Cash Giveaway, Parliament Street – Provided by York Mix
• Wizard Golf Challenge, Parliament Street – Provided by The Hole in Wand
• Graffiti Wall, Parliament Street – Provided by York Ice Trail
• First York Park & Ride, Parliament Street – Provided by First York