Bonhomme's Grand Challenge: Durable Ice

Institut nordique du Québec (INQ), the Quebec Winter Carnival, and Centre de recherche sur les matériaux avancés (CERMA) are launching a challenge for university students in Quebec!

Background | Combine materials science with winter tradition!

The Quebec Winter Carnival faces a growing challenge: the ice structure of the famous Bonhomme Ice Palace weakens year after year due to inclement weather, temperature fluctuations, and changing climatic conditions.

In this context, the Carnival is seeking to draw on scientific expertise to identify innovative solutions that make ice last longer while preserving its integrity and transparency.

Left: the sought-after transparent appearance. Right: ice weathering and whitening caused by climatic conditions.

Competition Description

A competition dedicated to the student community aimed at gathering ideas, concepts, or scientific approaches capable of meeting this challenge. The project must propose a solution to be applied to ice blocks as a post-production treatment. Blocks will be provided by the supplier in a laboratory setting (refrigerated rooms at various temperatures between -20 °C and 4 °C).

Prizes

The two winning innovative solutions will each receive a $2,000 scholarship (to be shared among the team). Please note that scholarships must be used to cover expenses related to your innovative solution. 

Eligibility

• Hold student status at one of the 16 INQ member universities;
• Projects can be carried out individually or by a team of up to two students enrolled at one of these universities.

Application Package

By September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM, please send us your application package containing:

• Team composition (name, email address, home university, and program of study);
• A summary of your innovative solution (maximum 1 page) including the following sections: 1) idea, 2) methodology, 3) feasibility, 4) budget, 5) timeline;
• Submit your application package in PDF format to the following address: cerma@ulaval.ca. An acknowledgment of receipt will be sent to confirm the successful receipt of your application package. 

We particularly invite you to take the following elements into account:

• The Carnival's main issue is that above -4 °C, combined with sunlight, ice whitens and develops imperfections, whereas the Carnival wishes to preserve its transparency and original appearance;
• Ice melting caused by temperatures above freezing can weaken the structure of Bonhomme's castle, which could lead to its closure to visitors, a situation the Carnival seeks to avoid;
• The ice blocks used measure approximately 25 cm x 50 cm x 100 cm;
• Between October 2026 and January 2027, ice blocks will be provided to selected individuals so they can test and refine their methodology in the laboratory on the Université Laval campus;
• During the 2027 edition of the Quebec Winter Carnival, test blocks will be installed in a sunny area of the site to validate participants' methodology in the field;
• Only the first 50 application packages received will be considered and evaluated.

Questions

For any questions, write to cerma@ulaval.ca.