The 17th International Snow Sculpture Competition, also one of the most important parts of the 28th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, begins in Sun Island in Harbin on January 10, 2012. Twenty-five teams from 13 countries and regions, including Russia, Canada, the US, Britain, Japan and Malaysia will be taking part in the competition.

Four US artists from St. Paul, Minnesota said it is too warm in their city to hold a snow sculpture competition, so they come to China to realize their dream.

Competitors from The United Arab Emirates are chefs in a five-star hotel. Most of the time, what they carve are carrots and potatoes. One of them said he is dreaming of carving a big snow block.