For more than two decades, a winter weekend in White Pine County has doubled as a community reunion, drawing people outdoors for snow, art, and competition.
The Fire and Ice Winter Festival returns Friday, January 16, through Sunday, January 18, bringing three days of events to Ely and nearby Cave Lake State Park.
Organizers say the family-friendly festival highlights winter recreation and local creativity, with activities spread across the county.
The event features snow and ice-based competitions, including ice sculpture contests where teams work for days on large blocks of ice while competing for prize money.
Other outdoor activities include ice bowling, ice disc golf, ice horseshoeing, and the Ely Birkenbeiner, which combines cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking.
Guided group hikes and an ice skating rink are also planned at Cave Lake State Park.
Indoor contests are also part of the lineup, with bowling, darts, and billiards hosted at local Ely businesses.
One of the festival’s signature moments is the Northern Nevada Railway Fire and Ice Fireworks Train, which organizers describe as the only fireworks display launched from a train anywhere in the world. The weekend wraps up with a community bonfire under Ely’s night sky.
This year also marks the return of several festival events to Cave Lake State Park, which recently reopened after nearly six years of repairs. Organizers say this is the first time in half a decade that art contests, group hikes, and other activities will again take place at the park.
Fire and Ice began in 2003 and is held each year during the third weekend of January, according to information from the festival’s website.
Locations include Cave Lake State Park, the Nevada Northern Railway, local Ely businesses, and other sites around town. The event is weather-dependent and subject to change.
Teams interested in competing can contact the Convention Center at 775-296-6495.
More information and a full schedule are available by clicking here.
