Even the greatest castles can fall...like this massive kingdom made of snow in Yellowknife

We get it, Game of Thrones fans. You like winter and big walls and more snow than anybody has ever known what to do with. So here is a gift for you: in Yellowknife, a daring throng of artisans (led by a king) has harnessed the very power of the winter to create a behemoth snow kingdom fit for all the living things in the land to pay tribute...and eat snacks and listen to music, protected by THE VERY TRAPPINGS OF WINTER THAT PLAGUE THEM.

Watch the video:

Building a massive snow castle in Yellowknife

6 years ago

Duration 4:34

As the Snowking says, "It’s a powerful operation." Filmmaker: Caroline Cox

The team begins creating the Snowking Winter Festival in the month of November and works through February on their magical fortress. Then, when the ice is only a few inches thick, they cut dozens and dozens of slabs near the shore of Great Slave Lake to create the castle's windows — and it all opens to the public on March 1.

But lest you fall victim to hubris and think that Yellowknife's snow castle is on par with the architecture of the gods (even though we think it is), take note! A warming trend — in fact, the warmest temperatures fair Yellowknife has seen in a vast swath of history — has prematurely laid the castle low. (A week early, actually — organizers had to shut down the Snowking Winter Festival due to it beginning to succumb to spring.) The echoes of snowsuited children, the whistling of snowballs and the fair tinkling of bands from across Canada will be but a memory...until next year, when they do it all again.

In this video by filmmaker Caroline Cox, you'll get a chilly look at what it takes for Snowking Anthony Foliot and his loyal team to erect a monumental snow castle from the ground up for the 24th (!) time. You'll see what beards look like with actual ice in them, and you'll witness the terrifying moment when workers who have literally walled themselves into the stronghold heroically break through the door to allow the community to come inside and party.

Stream CBC Arts: Exhibitionists or catch it on CBC Television Friday nights at 11:30pm (12am NT) and Sundays at 3:30pm (4pm NT). Watch more videos here.