Nenana Ice Classic Tripod Goes Up as Alaska’s Most Popular Guessing Game Hits Full Swing

When will the ice go out? Your guess is as good as anyone else's.

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By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Story Created: Mar 7, 2011 at 9:48 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2011 at 1:17 PM AKDT

 NENANA, Alaska - When will the ice go out? Your guess is as good as anyone else's.

Amid a weekend of celebration of the best winter has to offer, residents of Nenana raised a tripod on the Tanana River in front of the Interior Alaska town to officially begin the annual Nenana Ice Classic.

This year’s contest marks the 95th year of the Ice Classic, and it remains the most popular guessing game in the state, earning it the title “Alaska’s unofficial lottery.”

People buy a ticket to guess the exact time the wooden tripod set up on the ice will move when the ice breaks up in spring. The tripod is connected by a cable to a clock on shore. When the cable tightens, the clock stops. The ticket(s) with the closest guess of that time wins a jackpot. 

In 2010, the ice went out on April 29 at 9:06 a.m. Alaska Standard Time. Three winning tickets split the pot of $279,030. 

This year, the latest ice measurement taken by Ice Classic officials was Feb. 24 and showed a thickness of 40.5 inches. The ice typically thickens until the final week of March or the first week of April, when warmer temperatures and longer daylight begin to wear it away.

Tickets are $2.50 and can be purchased at locations across the state through April 5. 

A full listing of ticket sellers and past Ice Classic results is available at the contest’s website, http://www.nenanaakiceclassic.com.


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