Ice Castles Company Returns to Cripple Creek With a “Bigger and Better” Site

Winter Attraction Attracts Thousands of Visitors for Second Consecutive Year

Trevor Phipps

When Colorado Ice Castles made their grand return to the state in 2024, local leaders, business operators and locals were thrilled that the winter fantasy-like attraction chose Cripple Creek as its new home in the Centennial state.

The company returned to Colorado after a several-year absence, previously operating in Summit County, and then suffering from the COVID epidemic. More notably, the Castles’ debut year in Cripple Creek was a huge hit as the attraction was frequented by huge crowds that exceeded preliminary estimates, with many sellout nights.

As a result of this resounding success, Ice Castles announced a return to Cripple Creek, along with the opening of another Colorado location in Eagle, near Vail.

For 2025, Ice Castles held their Cripple Creek grand opening on December 19. Since the Castles reopening, traffic levels during weekday nights and weekends have definitely increased. As an added bonus to local business owners, Cripple Creek eateries have also experienced a high volume of patrons with some forced to go on waits even on weeknights, often regarded in past years as the ultra-slow period.

Even though the Ice Castles’ Cripple Creek hype has faded somewhat compared to last year, when it returned to Colorado after a lengthy hiatus, the company staff report that the attraction has bustled with activity at both the Cripple Creek and Eagle locations.

Ice Castles Colorado build manager Clay Davis said that they couldn’t release any official traffic numbers, but that the attraction was “staying busy.” However, just standing in front of the Ice Castles’ entrance recently during the week, more than 60 people could be seen entering the Castles site in a matter of 15 minutes.

Davis said that some of the features of the castle stayed the same from last year as it still has tunnels for kids to crawl through, a fountain and two slides for participants of all ages. But he did say that the entire layout changed from last year, and there are new features added including new ice sculptures. It also has a larger footprint to work with, according to city officials.

“There is one section in the far back corner that is probably my favorite section,” Davis said. “It is a little cavern/maze area that has some really cool spots.”

According to signs inside the Creek ice castle, the attraction was “built with 25,000 tons of ice… and a little magic.” Another sign claims that 10,000 icicles are grown and placed each day to create the frozen structure.

The Ice Castles’ Polar Pub Emerges as a Favorite Addition

Last year, the sole complaint about the Ice Castles was that the town’s restaurants didn’t have the capacity to cater to all the visitors, forcing some local eateries to turn customers away. Towards the end of the season last year, the Ice Castles had a concessions vendor, and realized they had to establish a better culinary setup, if they continued in Cripple Creek.

This year, food and beverages are offered as a part of the self-guided ice castle tour. “The big new thing this year that most people get excited about is the bar,” Davis explained. “It’s called ‘The Polar Pub’ and it is a little ice bar inside the castle. We have a limited drink menu, but you can get hot beverages or cold beverages. We also have food offerings.”

The Polar Pub’s bar is crafted entirely with ice and it is highlighted with bright lights after the sun goes down. In the bar area, there are several fire pits where visitors can warm up and enjoy a beverage.

While inside the castle, visitors can also purchase some delicious food from the Emergency Mini Treats food truck. The menu offers light food items, such as kettle corn, mini donuts, hot dogs, nachos and pretzels.

The ice castles will also gain some new sculptures before its closure, as their in-house artist is slated to feature carvings at the 2025 Cripple Creek Ice Festival. This event takes place from Feb. 15 to Feb. 23. Visitors get the chance to check out several ice sculptures and then tour the giant Ice Castles attraction.

Currently, the closure date for the ice castle is not known as it is weather dependent. “As long as the weather stays cold, we will be running,” the ice castle build manager said. “Usually, it’s about mid-March somewhere in that time frame once people are over winter. Once spring starts knocking on the door, they don’t want to come up to the mountains and be cold anymore.”

The ice castle attraction is currently open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The attraction is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The price on Wednesdays and Thursday is $35 for adults and $25 for kids and $40 for adults and $35 for kids on Friday-Sunday.

Davis said that those who have time should take the trek to Eagle and check out the other Ice Castles site besides the one in Cripple Creek. Since both attractions have different designers, the castles have very different layouts, noted Davis.