From Utah to New Hampshire: Ice Castles Delight with Colorful Nighttime Transformations

The Ice Castles are back this winter, astonishing visitors with colossal structures and vibrant light effects, becoming an unmissable winter destination filled with art, entertainment, and memorable moments.

Recreation of the Ice CastlesPhoto © CiberCuba / Grok

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One of the most unique winter attractions in the United States has reopened its doors. The Ice Castles, located in various states such as Utah, Minnesota, Colorado, and New Hampshire, have once again amazed thousands of tourists with their stunning structures made entirely of ice.

These castles are not mere tourist attractions; they are true masterpieces of art and engineering. Each one is constructed using thousands of icicles that are meticulously cultivated, harvested, and arranged, solidifying with water spray. This complex process results in towers, tunnels, arches, and caves that span acres of frozen land. In 2025, Jared Henningsen, Vice President of Operations at Ice Castles highlighted that the current project reaches the astonishing amount of 11 million kilograms of ice spread over more than eight thousand square meters of land.

The magic of the Ice Castles changes with the light of day. During the daytime, they shine with a pale blue that reveals the purity of the ice. However, as night falls, lights embedded within the walls transform the place into a spectacle of vibrant colors ranging from pink to green, creating an immersive and unique atmosphere. Jared Henningsen described the experience as "a transition to something completely immersive and different from what most visitors have seen before."

Ice Castles, Grok recreation.

The Ice Castles project, which began humbly as a family initiative in Utah, has grown significantly since 2011. Focused on providing winter happiness and creating lasting memories, this spectacle has attracted visitors from across the country. Brent Christensen, the founder, started this entire adventure by building an ice cave for his children to play in. Today, these castles serve as the backdrop for unique events, such as marriage proposals, like the one involving Jessica Sullivan and Brian Jacques, who chose this enchanted location for a special moment that culminated in a successful proposal.

Despite the extreme cold that has characterized winter in various parts of the United States, which has even led Cubans to cope with snowy weather in less warm states like Missouri, people continue to flock to these frozen wonders. Figures such as Ariel Ramos, a Cuban who recently settled in the United States and went viral for his humorous encounters with snow, highlight the persistence and effort many make to enjoy unique experiences like visiting ice castles.

The activities inside the castles are equally captivating, featuring ice slides, tunnels, and arches where visitors can walk beneath cascades of ice that defy the imagination. The combination of art, nature, and entertainment makes the Ice Castles a must-visit winter destination for people of all ages who seek to be awed by the ephemeral beauty of winter.

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Luis Flores

CEO and co-founder of CiberCuba.com. When I have time, I write opinion pieces about Cuban reality from an emigrant's perspective.