A restaurant carved out of snow is opening at A Maze in Corn just north of St. Adolphe. Carved out of over 500,000 pounds of snow and ice, The Den promises to be a dining experience like no other.
The stark exterior is simply marked with the word “Manitoba” over the entrance, but the interior is softly lit and moody, featuring floor-to-ceiling sculpted walls. Chiselled ice is backlit in reds and yellows to look like flames are alive in a giant snow fireplace. A bar counter, fully made of ice, resembles crystal. The dining area is rustic, featuring snow tables set with raw wooden discs and tree stumps for chairs covered in soft furs.
The restaurant was dreamt up by Clint and Angie Masse, owners of A Maze in Corn, at the site of their annual world-record-holding snow maze.
With creative input from Ian Krahn at Mast Creative and a team of incredibly talented artists and snow carvers, the restaurant was inspired by the beauty of the Manitoba prairie wilderness and contrasts comfort amidst a harsh landscape.
“Clint was the ‘architect’ of the snow building. He came up with the basic design, layout, and construction method and hired a team of snow carvers to finish out the interior,” explains Dave Neufeld, event coordinator for The Den. “The building itself is entirely made of snow. Clint uses large forms that he piles the snow onto, and when it sets up, he removes the form and moves it to the next position. The building is made in sections.”
The unique setting is intended to draw adventurous eaters who may be looking for a very different—and very unique—experience compared to those offered by any competitor.
“The tables are made out of slabs of ice and we will use wood plate chargers so the hot plates of food don’t melt through,” says Neufeld. “About the only thing that is not made of ice or snow is the seating. We are using large tree stumps covered in faux fur.”
Neufeld also works with his wife Jenn at the Whitetail Meadow event venue near Niverville, so they know what it takes to create a fine dining experience.
They decided to partner with WOW Catering to secure an inspiring chef and kitchen team that is equipped to handle a work environment made out of snow.
“Jenn and I have worked alongside the WOW team many times with our day job at Whitetail Meadow, so we knew they would be able to execute an amazing meal under really unique circumstances,” says Neufeld.
The executive chef is Luc Jean, who is also the host of La Main a la Pate on ICI Radio-Canada.
“When we approached Chef Luc with this idea, he absolutely jumped at the challenge,” says Neufeld. “He is really innovative and a master at incorporating local ingredients into his dishes. One thing that was really important to us about the cuisine is that it had to be truly Manitoban, and the menu he came up with really blew us away.”
So what type of person will really enjoy this combination of Manitoba’s best food, art, and chilly winter ambience?
“The Den experience is for adventurous spirits, to put it bluntly,” says Neufeld. “We knew going into this that this dining experience was not going to be for everyone, but honestly this is as much about having a perhaps once-in-a-lifetime dining experience than it is simply about the food. We also know that the price point is generally not going to appeal to a broader audience, but the hope was that people would look at this as being a part of a living art installation. So far, the uptake has really surpassed our expectations. This tells us that Manitobans really are the adventurous spirits we thought they were!”
The snow maze at A Maze in Corn is different every year. The Masses keep reenvisioning it, and adding to it, to ensure that they continue to hold the title as world’s largest snow maze.
And they are excited to showcase the new restaurant.
“The snow maze restaurant is definitely about the experience,” says Angie Masse. “The opportunity to try Chef Luc’s gourmet food is amazing, but then it’s combined with the experience of eating in a restaurant made of snow and ice. So it’s about the environment and the memorability of a unique world-class experience you can have right here in Manitoba. We hope people will find it fun!”
Masse encourages diners to be open to the new experience and aware of what challenges come with the experience of eating in a building made of snow.
“Dress in full winter gear including ski pants, winter boots, toque, and lots of cozy layers. Yes, you are out of the wind, but there are no heaters as everything is made out of snow! So dress appropriately as if you'll be spending some time in the snow—of course, for anyone interested in accessing the snow maze while they’re on-site, they can do that beforehand too! So dress warmly.”
The Den is now accepting reservations for Friday and Saturday nights and plans to open February 11. The set menu includes a Friday night feature with a Tapas theme while Saturdays will offer a four-course meal with dessert.
“Your ticket price for either option includes a complimentary cocktail, and all tips/gratuities are included,” says Neufeld. “And of course, guests are welcome to come early and enjoy the world’s largest snow maze at no extra charge. And of course, dress warm!”
