There are bears back in Fernie B次元官网网址� or at least one bear, though this one wonB次元官网网址檛 be sniffing around for food because itB次元官网网址檚 made of ice and guarding Red Tree Lodge in Fernie.

Carved by Fernie local Dave Richards, the icy ursine will be around until it melts B次元官网网址� and with temperatures well below zero in the Elk Valley this week, that could be for a short while yet.

B次元官网网址淚ce is fun - it cuts quick and fast, with a great end result. ItB次元官网网址檚 a little disheartening that it all melts away but itB次元官网网址檚 the ultimate eco-friendly art,B次元官网网址� said Richards, who has been learning how to carve wood sculptures and occasionally ice for the last few years, and is apprenticing as a wood carver part-time with Michael Penny of Fernie Log Carving in West Fernie.

This bear is carved from 50cm-thick ice sourced from Crowsnest Pass Lake.

B次元官网网址淚t took probably about three hours to get the 700-pound block out of the lake, and then it took about 4-5 hours to carve it,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e done a few ice sculptures. I just use the same technique (as wood carving). Not sure if IB次元官网网址檓 supposed to, but it worked.B次元官网网址�

The icy bear will be out the front of Red Tree Lodge in Fernie until warmer weather makes him go away.

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