Wanted: New organizer for Whitehorse's famed snow carving competition - Action News
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Wanted: New organizer for Whitehorse's famed snow carving competition

Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous organizers are trying to figure out how to ensure the event carries on, after long-time organizer Don Watt packs it in.

Don Watt says after 14 years spear-heading the international event, he's ready to move on

A prize-winning entry from Team Alaska at the 2017 snow sculpture competition in Whitehorse. (Paul Tukker/CBC)

Don Watt, who helped build Whitehorse's annual snow sculpture competition into one of the city's iconic winter events, is looking to "hang up the chisel" and retire.

That leaves Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous organizers trying to figure out how to ensure the event carries on. Although the snow sculptures are not an official Rendezvous event, it's one of the most popular attractions for visitors during the annualwinter festival.

Watt says that after 14 years of organizing the international competition, he's simply ready to move on.

"It's a time commitment, and I'm getting old," he said.

'It's a time commitment, and I'm getting old,' said long-time organizer Don Watt. (Cheryl Kawaja/CBC)

"I think it's time I make good on the promise to my wife that we we're going tospend four or fivemonths, you know, travelling the world, at this time of year."

The actual competitionhappens in Februarybut Watt says organizingit is a year-round job. He says he wouldtypically start writing grant applications for the following year within weeks of the festival'send.

During Rendezvous, and in the days immediately before and after, Watt says he works 20 hour days. A lot of his time is spent hosting and shuttling carvers who are visiting from elsewhere.

"It just chews up a massive amount of time," he said.

Dave Blottner, executive director of Rendezvous, said the festival "is very interested in continuing to work with the Yukon's snow sculpture association to ensure that snow sculptures continue to happen each year.

"We're hoping that there's enough talent and skill amongst all of us that we can make up for the talent and skill that Don had, all those years."

With files from Dave White