When someone thinks about castles, they might imagine tall walls of limestone and captivating architecture that prominently displays size and strength. Brent Christensen’s castles all have the same thing, but with one chilly twist — he uses ice instead of stone.
Founded in 2011, Ice Castles builds exquisite archways, caverns and tunnels for holiday revelers to explore not unlike ICE! At The Gaylord Texan. With castles located in Utah, Minnesota, New York, Colorado, New Hampshire and Wisconsin, Ice Castles are a winter phenomenon unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
A Frosty Foundation
Ice Castles was born from making the best out of a shivering situation. After moving his family from the sunny plains of California to the freezing chill of Utah, Brent needed a way to get his six kids out of the house and play. Putting his architectural skills to good use, he built an ice cave outside to his kids’ excitement and amazement. It didn’t take long for other kids around the neighborhood to notice the icy cavern, and soon enough, Brent had a popular winter playground in his own yard.
Since then, the entrepreneurial architect has expanded to building 1-acre castles through thousands of man-hours in several states. The Ice Castles team grows 5,000 to 12,000 icicles daily through hundreds of sprinklers filtered throughout the staging area. The construction crew takes every element under consideration, including the location, weather, sun path, wind speed and water resources to ensure everything runs smoothly during assembly. After a few days of freezing and sculpting, those ice structures will grow as high as 40 feet and as heavy as 12,500 tons, more than earning its castle comparison.
Icy Attractions
There’s much to do at the Ice Castles besides admiring the hand-crafted sculptures molded by local artists. Race to the finish with one of Ice Castle’s many ice slides, or cruise downhill at lightning-fast speeds with a snow tube. Dizzying caverns and archways will lead you through a frozen maze that you will have to find your way out of, and further mysteries await in the icy crawl tunnels.
The Arctic Alcove is available for parents who need to slow down and take a breather. With a stunning view of the entire scene, the alcove serves as the perfect backdrop for a picturesque moment or a grandiose proposal. Additional sleigh rides also go a long way in setting the mood for the season. After a quick trek through the wooded trail, you’ll be back at the castle for even more frozen fun.
Magic Of Winter
Ice Castles don't lose their magic once day turns to night. After the sun goes down, the ice sculptures light up in a dazzling display of colors that make you feel like you’re experiencing the northern lights up close. The Mystic Forest is a quarter-mile trek with trees illuminating your path forward, while the Winter Fairy Forest nearby remains lit with beautiful hues of pink, white and luminescent blue throughout. Whimsical winter fairies and enchanting snow queens will also greet you and your family as you explore the castle grounds.
When the adults need a break, they should make their way over to the Polar Pub, which has a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options. Hot drinks like cocoa, coffee and apple cider are available for those who need to warm up, but if you’re looking to heat things up in other ways, try the Dirty Snowman hot chocolate with caramel whiskey, or the Toasty Spiked Cider with apple vodka. The Polar Margarita or the Snowflake Sangria are also great options if you’re looking to keep things extra cool. When you’re ready to leave, the Lantern Passage will light your way out of this extraordinary winter wonderland.