There is a unique kind of magic that settles over the North Yorkshire coast in winter. The air turns crisp, the North Sea roars a little louder, and for one special day, the Victorian seaside town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea transforms into a shimmering gallery of frozen art.
At Sand In Your Eye the Saltburn Ice Trail has become one of the absolute highlights of our professional year. Since 2022, we have had the pleasure of working with Redcar and Cleveland Council to bring this icy spectacle to the streets of Saltburn. Watching this trail evolve from its infancy into the massive, record-breaking community staple it is today has been heartwarming for us. Every year, the ambition grows, the crowds get larger, and the sculptures get more exciting.
Why Saltburn is the Perfect Backdrop
It isn’t hard to see why visitors flock to this town. Saltburn is a photographer’s dream and a traveler’s delight. Between the iconic Victorian pier, the sweeping promenade, and the rugged beauty of the beach, it provides a dramatic natural backdrop for our art.
Once you head up the hill, you find a town full of character—home to bustling farmers’ markets, independent shops, and quite possibly the friendliest people in the North. When you combine that atmosphere with the smell of fresh fish and chips and the sight of crystal-clear ice glistening in the winter sun, you have the recipe for a perfect family day out. It is this combination of coastal charm and community spirit that has allowed the event to get bigger and better with every passing season.
Behind the Scenes: Early Mornings and Heavy Lifting
While the event officially begins at 10am, our day starts long before that. Setting up an ice trail of this magnitude is a feat of logistics, endurance, and precision. This year, the trail expanded to 11 different sites throughout the town.
Moving large-scale, delicate ice sculptures through streets and hills is no small task. It requires a team that is not only skilled but incredibly fit. Our crew—Jamie, Jonathan, Dan, and Ronnie—were on the ground at the crack of dawn, manoeuvring solid blocks of ice into position. By the time the first visitors arrived, the team might have been a little tired (and perhaps a tiny bit “cranky” from the early wake up), but the adrenaline of seeing the trail come together and the smiling public always keeps them going.
Once the 11 sculptures were secured, the real performance began. Jamie and Jonathan transitioned straight into the Live Carve, which is always a crowd-favourite and a central piece of the Arctic theme. Peter pre-carved a magnificent Husky dog in our studio for this central piece and on-site, Jamie and Jonathan live-carved a full-scale Arctic Sled to go behind it. This allowed children and families to hop onto the sled, grab the reins, and “mush” their way through Saltburn—creating a perfect interactive photo opportunity.
Engaging the Next Generation: Letters to the North Pole
Beyond the sculptures themselves, we believe in creating moments of festive magic Ronnie and Dan headed up the ever popular and annually returning Elf Letter Writing Workshops inside the local library. Outside, we installed our Magical Ice Post-box. There is something truly heartwarming about watching a child concentrate on their letter to Santa, then dropping it into a glowing block of ice, knowing it has “express delivery” status to the North Pole.
To keep the adventure moving, we incorporated at request from Redcar and Cleveland Gov an Ice Trail Scavenger Hunt. Each sculpture was accompanied by a hidden letter; once children found all 11, they could spell out a secret festive word. It’s a brilliant way to ensure the public explores every corner of the town and engages deeply with each piece of art.
The Artistry: A Deep Dive into the Arctic Theme
This year’s theme was “Winter Arctic,” allowing our artists to play with different styles and techniques to ensure the trail felt fresh and exciting:
| Sculpture Style | Examples | Why it’s Unique |
| Organic 3D Carves | Polar Bear, Reindeer | Carved to look beautiful and “alive” even as they slowly melt. |
| Interactive Art | The Whale | Designed for the public to stand inside like a photo frame and engage with for photos. |
| Colour Infusion | The Penguin | Using specialized techniques to bring vibrant life and contrast to the ice. |
| High-Detail 3D | Arctic Fox, Snowy Owl | Focuses on intricate textures like fur and feathers for a realistic feel. |
The trail this year had some additional sculptures being sponsored by some local businesses that helped make this year’s trail the biggest yet:
- Everyone Active (The Walrus)
- Arriva (The Ice Bus)
- Bob Little & Co (The Husky)
- Miller Housing (The Ice House)
A Heartfelt Thank You
2025 was undoubtedly our busiest year yet with 8,000 people attending . The streets were jam-packed, the energy was electric, and the whole event seemed to be incredibly well-received by the public.
We want to say a massive thank you to Lisa, Holly, and the entire council team for working with us and making the organization so seamless. We also want to shout out the stewards on the day. Standing outside in changeable coastal weather is a tough gig, but they did it with huge smiles, engaging with the public and keeping the “Arctic” spirit alive.
Saltburn, you were amazing. We’re already dreaming of how we can make next year’s Ice Trail even more spectacular!
