On Wednesday morning, I went onto the frozen Yellowknife Bay to see Tony Foliot, the Snow King, so I could learn about the snow castle that he builds every year.
The previous day, I reached out to him to requesting an interview so I could write about his experiences. He said my questions were the ones heSA国际影视传媒檚 typically asked every year by journalists. Clearly he was none too keen on having the type of interview ISA国际影视传媒檝e come to expect. HeSA国际影视传媒檚 been asked the same questions for far too long.
When I arrived and after we shared introductions, he walked straight onto the ice to get to work. I followed him and he said to me, SA国际影视传媒淭wo months, 10 guys, because itSA国际影视传媒檚 fun.SA国际影视传媒� He gave me the answers to the questions I texted him the day before in about ten seconds flat, then asked me if I was going to do any work.
I immediately got the impression that Foliot was a no-nonsense kind of guy. He wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 being rude, he just knew from experience that excellence comes at a price. If I was going to have a story, I was going to have to get my hands dirty, or rather frozen. It was around -30 C that morning.
On-site, everyone had an amusing nickname. Some of those included Foliot himself, the SA国际影视传媒楽now KingSA国际影视传媒�; Ryan McCord, SA国际影视传媒楯oe SnowSA国际影视传媒�; Anthony Ellendt, SA国际影视传媒楶our Johnny.SA国际影视传媒�
My nickname was SA国际影视传媒楥adet Jonathan.SA国际影视传媒� Everyone new is called Cadet.
On the ice was a custom built power saw that Foliot called, SA国际影视传媒淜ing Joe SnowSA国际影视传媒檚 Monster Saw He Built.SA国际影视传媒�
The custom power saw was made to cut deep lines through the ice, forming a checkerboard pattern. Afterward, the blocks of ice were cut out completely with a vintage ice saw, which is very long compared to a hand saw you would use to cut through wood.
Once the ice was freed, Foliot used vintage ice tongs, much larger than the tongs used to flip a steak on a barbecue, to pull the large blocks of ice out of the water. I thought I would make myself useful by helping to lift the ice with another set of tongs laying on the ground nearby. Foliot stopped me before I was able to touch anything. According to him, I had to work up to that level. Apparently, I hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 earned the right to use the tool as though it were used for some sacred purpose.
Ironically, the first blocks of ice he was pulling from the water were called SA国际影视传媒榮acrifices.SA国际影视传媒� I imagined the Snow King ritually offering the first blocks of ice on an altar, like ancient Hebrews would sacrifice the first of their harvests. In reality, the sacrifices were too small and disfigured to be used as foundational building blocks.
Once the ice was on the ground, the freezing slush was scraped off the blocks of ice so it wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 blemish its naturally smooth form.
Two-wheel dollies were used to transport the blocks of ice nearby, which were then placed onto rows of two-by-fours to keep the blocks from freezing to the ground.
I spent most of the day transporting the blocks of ice but helped with other activities where I could, like shovelling slush or stacking blocks.
From my participation and watching the others work, I got a fairly good idea of the hard work the staff and volunteers put into the project. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e out on the ice in November, and plan to build every day from December through February to prepare for the castleSA国际影视传媒檚 public reveal in March.
After my day of work, I received a book written about the snow castle as a gift, and I had my experiences that I will carry with me forever.
Tony Foliot, you are an inspiration. Thank you for encouraging me to do my best work and for serving the community year after year. Long live the king.
