Only a true Canadian would don four layers, 5 lb boots, a parka and a smile in order to fully embrace temperatures of minus 20 in which to explore frozen water.
For fun.
And pay to do so.
So what exactly is that monstrous, cascading wall of winter that looms behind us? That would be the incredible work of the creative minds behind Utah-based Ice Castles. This is the second year for Edmonton, Alberta, the only location on the Canadian scene, an icy fortress so impressive it was acknowledged on the front page of Canadian Geographic Travel in November, 2016.
“It was like stepping onto the set of Arendelle, complete with a massive ice castle and two very frozen princesses.”
“The very first Ice Castle was built in Alpine, Utah, in the front yard of Brent Christensen. He was building an ice cave for his daughter and that is how the Ice Castle concept got started.” -ice castles.com-
Each of the castles has a weight of roughly 25,000,000 pounds made up by the growth of nearly 10,000 free-form spire icicles, many of which will absorb themselves into the 10 foot thick walls. The Edmonton castle is the effort of dozens of sculptors who began work in early December, freezing over 1 million litres of water over a span of 6,000 square meters, twice the size of last year’s event. During the day, the details shine, and as the sun sets, the entire place glows in multi colored LED illumination.
Highlights of the interior castle include the fountain, warming barrels with a stand to purchase hot chocolate and mini donuts, the ice archways, an elevated viewing area, and of course, the dual ice slides!
“Cool” Fact: The ice is blue because water absorbs every color of the spectrum except for blue. The thicker the ice, the deeper the color.
General Tips for Visiting:
- We chose a time when the sun would set. This way we could see the castle in both the daylight as well as in the luminated glow of the evening. It was perfect.
- DRESS WARM. I cannot state this strongly enough. You can fix your hair later and toques are a Canadian selfie staple.
- Buy tickets online BEFORE you go. They are less expensive and if a time slot sells out, there are no further tickets available for purchase on site. Find detailed times and prices HERE.
- No pets allowed.
- Strollers are difficult to navigate! Bring a small sled.
- For the dual ice slide, crazy carpets are provided. Not sure what a crazy carpet is? They are slippery fixtures of Canadian childhood. Just go with it.
- Lineups start based on entrance time, so if it’s particularly cold, wait for your time slot to begin before entering the line. Once you enter, you can stay as long as you wish.
- You will sign a safety waiver before entering.
- Ice castle experiences can also be found at several locations across the US including Midway, UT, Lincoln, NH, Stillwater, MN and Wisconsin Dells, WI.
- ENJOY!!
Cheers and stay warm,
Amy
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I just visited Ice Castles in Midway, Utah last week. It was amazing and so beautiful!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! They put in so much effort, it’s incredible!
Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this before! It looks incredible. And thanks for the tips for actually getting there – so helpful! 🙂
Wow – this looks incredible. What an amazing experience.
It was amazing! Thanks for stopping in!
Gorgeous pictures! We went last year and had a great time. It is definitely worth checking out if you have the opportunity.
Thanks! Are you going again this year?
It’s funny that I live in Utah and I’ve never heard of the one in Midway. I’ll have to check it out now that I’ve read your blog! This sounds like such a fun and exciting experience–thanks for sharing!
Looks like a lot of icy fun!
Looks cool! And nooooo it isn’t Canadians who will do this. People from a little red dot in the tropics do this do….hehe
Yeah! I love your enthusiasm!
I love to see that cascading ice in person! For someone from a tropical country, just looking at the ice castles amazes me.
And we come to the tropics and are amazed! 🙂
Shared this with my daughter who lives in Calgary. Hope she gets to take her 5 kids there soon!
Thank you! And weather depending it will go until March, so hopefully they ca make it north!
They could have a kept a Princess Elsa and Olaf to entertain the kids 😀
Yes!!!
Oh wow! This looks totally amazing! So want to see this now! 😀
Awesome post! I’ve never seen or heard about these ice castles before, but they look really cool to check out! Thanks for sharing!
What a cool ice palace! thanks for sharing your experience and gorgeous pics
Edmonton Ice Castle has been added to my bucket list right away – I can’t imagine there even exists a place as beautiful as this! My eyes!
It is definitely a unique experience!
Wow this is so beautiful. We had minus 20 outside, thankfully for 2 days only, then it’s getting warmer around 0 again. After -20, -5 seemed really warm lol, went for a walk before.
It’s amazing how -5 can feel like a balmy spring day after a cold snap!
OMG that looks Incredible! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Oh My God I have no words to describe this Castle : I’m literally in love with it I will visit it asap thank you soo much for sharing it. Thanks to your post I know it exists <3
Such a pretty ice castle, like a white dream. That really looks cold. Could you feel your nose getting icy or was it numb? 🙂
I can only tell by your pictures but this place looks very impressive and cool! But being Mediterranean I could not do this even if I was paid, ha haa
Haha! Well after we were done I was wishing for the Mediterranean!
What an awesome place! I love the idea of going at sunset, especially if it’s one of the colorful sunset nights!
looks like a great trip 🙂
This totally looks like something out of Frozen! I love it! And totally agree with the need for all the winter gear – you can’t enjoy things properly when you’re cold!
That’s so majestic! I can imagine lots of Frozen princesses enjoying this!
This is so cool! I would call it Winter Wonderland castle. I’d love to get all geared up and visit this place when I’m Canada
Wow that looks spectacular! Added to the bucket list!!
Wow, I cant wait to go check this out!
And its warming up a bit, so it’s a perfect time to go!
Awesome!
Thank you!
I’m from Edmonton too! I didn’t get to visit the ice castles yet. Do you think they’ll still be there in February?
Hello fellow local! 🙂 Weather pending, it is scheduled to be open until March!
Wow!!! I had no idea this even existed. Photos are amazing!
Thank you!
Your photos turned out stunning! The weather has been so unreliable this winter in Edmonton. Guess I’ll have to catch it next year!
Xo Shivangi
http://www.kadakchaitalks.com
Thank you! And yes, it has been so up and down (thank you Alberta) I am so glad we had the experience, it was so worth going!