If there is anywhere you want to be frozen in time it’s at the Silverthorne Ice Castles. A base structure of more than 100,000 icicles placed one by one then fused together then sprayed with water create dramatic structures made only of water turned ice. Each day up to 5,000 icicles are harvested at the icicle farm on-site. After freezing overnight, crews attach the icicles to the existing structures. There are no supporting substructures, or additives in the water- everything is made purely of ice.
Come night, sprinklers turn on creating towers, spires, walls, tunnels and cascades. Right now the tallest tower is about 30 feet tall- by March it could be much taller. Paths are carved in the largest tower giving you the freedom to explore and see an inside look of the masterpiece. An array of colored lights flipped on at sunset enhances the Ice Castles.
Who is behind the brilliant idea? The Ice Castles first sprung up in Midway Utah but with a mild winter forecasted in the Beehive state creator, Brent Christensen, packed up his idea for Colorado. After building an ice fort for his kids in his front yard two years ago, curious crowds kept mingling. Christensen soon realized he was on to something bigger than he expected. Going grandioso the next year, he built 30 towers spectacular towers at a public park.
The Ice Castles at Silverthorne are open every day including Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7.50 for kids. For more information visit icecastles.com
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Are you able to live in the Castles throughout the winter?
The tallest tower at the Silverthorne Ice Castles is 30ft tall. How long did it take to form that 30ft tower?
How much water is frozen to make the ice castles?
Where did you come up with the idea of building these castles? Where did your inspiration come from?
I’m in awe of all the delicate looking formations, especially all the small details. How does the weather forecast impact your ‘game plan’ for maintaining and creating the ice castles and features?
Are you planning on building the ice castles in Silverthorne again next year? I sure hope so! I love riding by and seeing the progress you have made! I am also so happy for you when I see the parking lot so full! Thank you for sharing your creativity with all of us! 🙂
Ever think about sculpting on Everest?
Do weather changes affect your plans on the structures, causing you to make adjustments in your designs?
How long does it take for all of it to melt?
How do you clean up & retrieve all the sprinkler system piping after the season has ended?
Have you done this before & if so, what’s the biggest castle you’ve ever made?
How did you choose colorado to be a host of the ice castles?
Is this a part time job, or full?
This is pure beautiful art. Have you done other types of sculpting, painting, etc? And is it a cathartic and delicate process or tough, grunt work?
What kind of mote would you make for this castle?
How big of a ice sculpture can you make?
How do you ensure the utmost precision when sculpting the castles?
How early in the year can you start building these?
What is your favorite part about the ice castle?
Have you ever visited ice castles from around the world, like the Sapporo Ice Castles?
What would happen if a dog decided to use one of your beautifully intricate ice castles as a fire hydrant?
At what point in your life did you decide to build castles out of ice?
How late into the year will the castles last?