NORTH WOODSTOCK, N.H. – The enchanting Ice Castles are back, transforming landscapes in New Hampshire and several other states into breathtaking winter wonderlands.
These seasonal attractions blend art and architecture, featuring majestic towers, intricate tunnels, graceful archways, and mesmerizing caves. Each element is meticulously crafted by cultivating, collecting, and carefully arranging thousands of icicles, then fortifying them with strategic sprinklers.
Since its inception in 2011, the company behind these frosty creations has expanded its reach. This year, Ice Castles are enchanting visitors in Utah, Minnesota, and two locations in Colorado, as well as the New Hampshire site, which also boasts a snow tubing hill and an ice bar. Following a mild previous winter, organizers are delighted that colder temperatures have allowed for an earlier opening this season.
"This year's castle is among the largest we've ever constructed," said Jared Henningsen, the company's VP of operations. "It incorporates approximately 25 million pounds of ice, spread across an expansive two-acre site."
Despite a winter storm bringing frigid temperatures and snowfall to the South, visitors to the New Hampshire location eagerly explored the icy labyrinth on Friday, bundled in warm layers.
Julia Jones, a frequent visitor to northern New Hampshire from Gloucester, Massachusetts, was thrilled to experience the Ice Castles for the first time on opening day.
"I’ve truly never witnessed anything like this before,” she remarked. “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be so grand.”
Jessica Sullivan, from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, also expressed surprise – and not just at the icy surroundings. Her boyfriend, Brian Jacques, made their visit unforgettable by proposing to her amidst the frozen splendor.
"It's such a beautiful setting," said Jacques, elated by Sullivan's affirmative response. "I knew that this was the perfect moment and place to propose."
During the day, the ice structures shimmer with a subtle blue tint. As night descends, strategically placed lights illuminate the ice from within, casting vibrant hues of pink, purple, and green.
"Stepping inside an Ice Castle is like entering another world – a completely immersive experience unlike anything most visitors have ever encountered," Henningsen explained. "I believe it truly inspires those who visit."