Colorado Ice Castles Announce Opening Dates for 2024-25 Season
Ice artisans have been hard at work transforming 25 tons of ice into a breathtaking winter wonderland, and the wait is almost over. The Ice Castles are returning to Colorado with two locations, and both will open just in time for the holiday season.
Opening Dates and Locations
This year, Ice Castles will feature locations in Cripple Creek and Eagle. The Cripple Creek attraction is set to open on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 4 p.m., while the Eagle location will welcome visitors starting Friday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m.
“For the first time in our company’s history, we are thrilled to open two Ice Castles locations in Colorado before Christmas,” said Kyle Standifird, CEO of Ice Castles. “Thanks to favorable weather this season, we’re excited to invite guests to experience the magic of Ice Castles throughout the holiday season.”
What to Expect at Ice Castles
Ice Castles are renowned for their stunning ice tunnels, caverns, towers, fountains, and slides—all constructed entirely from ice. The magic is amplified at night when the structures are illuminated with color-changing LED lights embedded within the walls of ice.
New this year is the Polar Pub Ice Bar, where visitors can enjoy chilled beverages, warm food, and sweet treats inside a one-of-a-kind frosty setting.
Planning Your Visit
Both locations are about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Denver, depending on traffic. Ice Castles will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but tickets can be purchased online ahead of time through the Ice Castles website.
How Ice Castles Are Built
The creation of these massive frozen attractions begins in October with a team of 20 ice artisans. Brent Christensen, the founder of Ice Castles, explained that each castle starts with “icicle farms” where individual icicles are grown on special racks. These icicles are then hand-picked, placed, and frozen into towering walls that can reach heights of up to 40 feet.
Using tools like chainsaws and ice picks, the team works tirelessly day after day to craft the tunnels, towers, and slides that make Ice Castles a must-see winter attraction.
This year’s Ice Castles promise to be an unforgettable experience, blending artistry, engineering, and holiday magic. Don’t miss your chance to explore these frozen masterpieces.
