The Midway Ice Castles are back in Utah for their 12th season, offering visitors a chance to explore multiple icy castles and other winter attractions.
Opened on Jan. 15 and expected to close on Feb. 15, the icy attraction features ice formations, tunnels and slides.
Each year, a team of around 30 artisans constructs the ice castles entirely by hand, using approximately 25 million pounds of ice, according to informational signs posted at the attraction.
Between 5,000 and 12,000 icicles are grown and placed daily, creating a frozen maze of caverns, tunnels and slides, according to the signs. The attraction also features hand-carved ice sculptures.
Brent Christensen, the founder of Midway Ice Castles, originally created the concept as a backyard project to entertain his children. Since then, it has expanded into a nationally recognized winter attraction with five locations across the United States, according to the Ice Castles website.
At night, the castles and sculptures are lit by LED lights.
“The weather definitely has an effect on the construction of the castle,” Amanda Roseth, a spokesperson from Midway Ice Castles, said. “The last few weeks have been cold, allowing the castle to grow at an exceptional pace. Warmer years can be more challenging, but no matter what, we do our darndest to create a magical and mystical experience for people of all ages.”
For Joy Rizzoli, the Utah Build Manager, one of the most fascinating aspects of working at Midway Ice Castles is witnessing how different environmental factors shape the formations.
“My favorite part is seeing all of the different formations naturally created by our sprinklers,” Rizzoli said. “Depending on temperatures, wind, humidity and location, the ice can form in incredible ways. Sometimes it creates the iconic long, drippy icicles, but other times it makes bulbs on the ground, slick sheets or even formations that look like coral.”
However, working in this environment is not without challenges. Training new staff can be difficult, since there is no other job quite like it, Rizzoli said.
While individuals with construction or machinery experience are often hired, adapting to ice work requires a special eye for how formations will grow and change over time, Rizzoli said.
Waterproof boots, gloves and layered clothing are recommended for comfort and safety.
The team is always looking for new locations with the right environmental conditions to expand the attraction, though no official announcements have been made, Roseth said.
Visits last 30 minutes, and tickets should be booked in advance. Evening slots offer the best views of the illuminated sculptures.
Tickets range from $20-$29 for adults and $15-$22 for children, with discounts available on weekdays. Sleigh rides require a separate ticket purchase.
