<strong>Mongolia in winter:</strong> The inaugural Mazaalai International Snow and Ice Festival is taking place just outside Monglia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, until the end of January.
Mongolia in winter: The inaugural Mazaalai International Snow and Ice Festival is taking place just outside Monglia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, until the end of January.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Cool runnings: </strong>Festival attractions include 16.4-meter-long ice slide.
Cool runnings: Festival attractions include 16.4-meter-long ice slide.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Guinness World Record: </strong>Though it's only been open for a few days, government officials say the festival already set a Guinness World Record -- most people to descend an ice slide in one hour.
Guinness World Record: Though it's only been open for a few days, government officials say the festival already set a Guinness World Record -- most people to descend an ice slide in one hour.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Thrill with a chill:</strong> Officials say 408 attendees helped secure the record, all whooshing down the ice slide, one after the other.
Thrill with a chill: Officials say 408 attendees helped secure the record, all whooshing down the ice slide, one after the other.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Protected bear: </strong>A five-meter-high sculpture of the country's protected Gobi bear (Mazaalai in Mongolian) and her cubs was carved to raise awareness of the critically endangered animal.
Protected bear: A five-meter-high sculpture of the country's protected Gobi bear (Mazaalai in Mongolian) and her cubs was carved to raise awareness of the critically endangered animal.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Sky Resort: </strong>The free festival is taking place at Mongolia's Sky Resort, a year-round golf and ski resort on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar.
Sky Resort: The free festival is taking place at Mongolia's Sky Resort, a year-round golf and ski resort on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Ice skating: </strong>Other festival attractions include a 56.4-meter-long snow and ice sculpture with a large ice skating rink.
Ice skating: Other festival attractions include a 56.4-meter-long snow and ice sculpture with a large ice skating rink.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Night lights: </strong>At night, the festival's carvings come alive with light.
Night lights: At night, the festival's carvings come alive with light.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Dwindling numbers: </strong>In addition to the main sculpture, a further 52 ice bear statues were created to represent the 52 Gobi bears that remain in the wild.
Dwindling numbers: In addition to the main sculpture, a further 52 ice bear statues were created to represent the 52 Gobi bears that remain in the wild.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia
<strong>Let it snow: </strong>The free event "marks a major milestone in the development of Mongolia's winter tourism sector," Mongolia Culture Minister Nomin Chinbat said in a statement.
Let it snow: The free event "marks a major milestone in the development of Mongolia's winter tourism sector," Mongolia Culture Minister Nomin Chinbat said in a statement.
Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of Mongolia