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What could be more magical in the winter than visiting a castle made completely of ice? That’s what Ice Castles brings to cities across the United States each winter.
We visited the location in Cripple Creek, Colorado, about one hour outside of Colorado Springs, to see what the hype was all about and if it’s worth braving the cold for.
Keep reading to hear more about our experience!
What are the Ice Castles?
The Ice Castles are man-made structures built of ice and icicles. This is an award-winning attraction and is the perfect winter family-friendly experience. Each ice castle is unique, so even if you visit the Ice Castles in multiple cities, you’ll get to enjoy a unique experience each time.
The 2025-2026 Ice Castles will be located in Cripple Creek, Colorado; Silverthorne, Colorado; Minnesota; and New Hampshire.
Our Experience at the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek
Woodrow and I visited the Ice Castles in late December with my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. Since we had out-of-town visitors, we weren’t exactly sure when we’d like to visit, but each time we checked the ticket page, reservations were wide open, so we decided to wait until the day of.
That wasn’t exactly the best idea. I assume at some point, they convert all or most tickets to will-call, so by the time we went to buy tickets, there were only a few available for certain time slots.
We were able to snag one ticket for a 3:00 pm entry time and two tickets for a 4:00 pm entry time. This still left us needing one more ticket. We knew they had a ticket counter at the Ice Castles, so we decided to chance it and make the one-hour drive there despite not having enough tickets.
When we arrived, we could enter together and purchase a day-of ticket, which ended up being $11 more than the online tickets. The online tickets were $29, whereas the ticket purchased in person was $40. Still, in the end, we all agreed that it was worth it.
At the entrance of the Cripple Creek Ice Castles, there’s a professional photography area set up. This isn’t mandatory, but it’s a nice way to get a photo of the whole family. As you enter, a beautiful hand-carved ice sculpture greets you and leads the way to the rest of the exhibition. Once inside, it’s basically like a maze. You can take many twists and turns throughout the castle, leading to fun activities like ice slides and wishing wells.
Inside, there’s an igloo bar serving alcoholic drinks and a separate snack cart serving small plates like hot dogs and nachos, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Fire pits surround the bar area, creating a cozy space to enjoy your treats while taking in the beauty of the Ice Castle. As the day turns into night, colorful built-in LED lights light up the castle in a fantastic display of sculptures and hand-placed icicles.
Is visiting the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek worth it?
The short answer: absolutely! It’s a ton of fun for all ages and the perfect way to enjoy the winter season. I’m more of a beach/summer girl, so this gave me an excuse to dress up in my cutest winter gear and make the most of the cold season. This also made us want to visit the Ice Castles in Eagle, Colorado (this was in 2024), but unfortunately, we got stuck in a snowstorm while we were up there and couldn’t make it out to the Ice Castles during our trip.
The Ice Castles in Cripple Creek are open until late February (weather dependent), so I highly recommend visiting if you have the time and are planning a trip to the Denver or Colorado Springs area! The one in Silverthorne is also close to Colorado’s top ski resort towns, including Breckenridge and Frisco, so I recommend visiting that one, too, if you can.
TL;DR – Tips for Visiting the Ice Castles
- Dress warmly. This may be obvious, but yes, it’s as cold as it looks.
- Purchase tickets in advance. Do not wait until the day of to purchase your tickets. The prices online are cheaper than in person, and you risk them selling out. You can purchase tickets here.
- Visit in the late afternoon. It was wonderful to experience the Ice Castles in broad daylight, where picture-taking conditions were ideal, but seeing them all lit up in the evening was incredible.
- Wear waterproof layers. If you want to do any of the fun things like riding the slides, be sure to wear waterproof layers like snow pants. I previously saw social media posts of girls wearing dresses to the Ice Castles for the ‘gram, and I’m happy I decided to wear pants instead.
- Wear proper footwear. The floor of the Ice Castle in Cripple Creek was a combination of slushy snow and sand, so it was pretty easy to walk around. However, there were a few slippery patches and parts where the snow was somewhat deep. They had staff trying to mitigate icy spots throughout the experience, but it’s still better to wear proper footwear.
FAQ
Do you have time limit in the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek?
No, you do not have a time limit in the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek. Ice Castles uses a timed entry system, so you have a 30-minute window to enter the Ice Castles. However, once you’re in, you can stay as long as you want!
What are the dates for the 2025 Ice Castles?
There has not been any dates announced for the 2025-2026 Ice Castles yet. However, tickets are expected to go on sale on December 2nd!
2025 – 2026 Ice Castles Locations
- Cripple Creek, Colorado
- Silverthorne, Colorado
- Falcon Heights, Minnesota
- Woodstock, New Hampshire
