New Hampshire's Ice Castles: A Winter Wonderland Returns with 25 Million Pounds of Ice

The much-anticipated Ice Castles celebration has returned to New Hampshire and other states, offering visitors a breathtaking winter experience. This year, the stunning ice structures, created from millions of icicles, span two acres and weigh in at 25 million pounds of ice.

The ice castles are a unique blend of art and tourism, featuring grand towers, tunnels, archways, and caves. These captivating designs are made by growing, harvesting, and arranging thousands of icicles, which are then blasted with sprinklers to create the magical structures. The celebration has grown since its debut in 2011, with additional locations in Utah, Minnesota, and Colorado, alongside New Hampshire, which also includes a snow tubing hill and ice bar.

"We're excited that temperatures are cold enough to open earlier this season," said Jared Henningsen, Vice President of Operations. As a winter storm swept across the South, visitors in New Hampshire bundled up to explore the dazzling ice formations on opening day.

Julia Jones, a frequent visitor to northern New Hampshire, was amazed by the vastness of the ice castles. "I never expected it to be this big," she remarked. Jessica Sullivan and her boyfriend, Brian Jacques, had an unforgettable experience when Brian proposed during their visit to the ice wonderland.

By day, the ice structures gleam with a serene blue glow, and by night, the embedded lights illuminate the castle in vibrant pink, purple, and green hues. "Entering the ice castle feels like stepping into an entirely different world," Henningsen said. "It's a truly immersive experience that inspires awe."

The Ice Castles celebration continues to be a must-see winter attraction, drawing visitors from near and far to witness the stunning beauty of nature's icy artistry.