Ice Castles returning to 2 Colorado sites this winter

A cherished winter wonderland is returning to two familiar places in Colorado.
Ice Castles, LLC, announced it will again build its complex of frosty pinnacles, arches, tunnels and slides in Cripple Creek, as the company has the past two years. The company will also set up in Summit County, thanks to a partnership with Outlets at Silverthorne.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to experience this magical attraction,” Angela Andrews, the outlet mall’s general manager, said in a news release Monday.
Ice Castles CEO Kyle Standifird said the team was “excited to return to Cripple Creek as we’ve been very well received in the community and by guests from all over.”
Over the past couple of winters, more than 100,000 people have reportedly flocked to the historic mining town in the hills west of Colorado Springs, where artisans have sprayed water in freezing hours and stacked icicles to form the attraction of colorful, LED-embedded lights.
Artisans were previously based elsewhere in Summit County, in Dillon, before construction at the site overtook Ice Castles and locals raised concerns about crowding as well as water and power use.
Since 2021, the company has eyed a return to the ski resort hub off Interstate 70, with particular focus on Silverthorne. This was an early location for Ice Castles as the concept 15 years ago was growing out of Brent Christensen’s yard in Utah.
Christensen said Silverthorne “was where our first commercial Ice Castles came to life.” He added: “Celebrating 15 years of magic here feels like coming full circle.”
Monday’s announcement did not include Eagle, which was a home to Ice Castles last winter.
The announcement said construction could start in late October. The aim is to open in late December, as freezing temperatures allow for building. Colorado’s Ice Castles have typically stayed open through February.
Ticket sales are set to start Dec. 2 at icecastles.com.