Visiting a real ice castle is a winter experience like no other. Here’s a look at our visit to the shimmering, glimmering New Hampshire ice castles, now located in North Woodstock.
Please note that businesses throughout New England have been closed or are operating under modified conditions in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. Please travel responsibly, and check with state guidelines and individual businesses before making travel plans.
Did you know there’s an extra special annual winter attraction in North Woodstock, New Hampshire? Ice castles (yes, real ice castles) have become a sought-after destination for families and photographers in recent years, and New Hampshire is home to one of just six special-made ice castles nationwide.
Entering through icy layers and tunnels, you arrive in a real-life version of the popular Disney movie Frozen. Gleaming towers are made from 30-foot-tall shards of ice, secret staircases tucked within. Children whizz through slides and crawl through crevices and tunnels. Parents snap pictures of icicle stalagmites and stalactites glinting in the sun. A frothy fountain draws visitors to the castle’s main courtyard. Strapping ice-wranglers hail from area colleges and towns, outfitted with ice-climbing boots and snow-making equipment, they are a cadre of merry north country elves cutting blocks for igloos, posing for photos, shepherding children through the beautiful maze, and jovially answering questions. At night, the entire acre becomes an aurora borealis, lit from within in a rainbow of fiery colors. As winter and weather cooperate, the castle will continue to grow, at least doubling in size, before spring temperatures melt the artistic and fun-filled winter wonderland.
Exploring the New Hampshire Ice Castles
Note: These images are from our visit to the Lincoln, New Hampshire, ice castles in 2015. In 2019 the ice castle attraction was moved to a new location in North Woodstock, New Hampshire. For more information, visit icecastle.com.
The acre-sized ice castle. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusThe icy tunnel entrance leads the way into the main courtyard. Photo Credit : Carol ConnareThree young friends stand in awe in the middle of the main courtyard. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusA trio of ice wranglers manage the ice slide. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusThe mountains have a bluish cast beyond the icy walls of the castle. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusA happy slider proudly wears her ice princess pin. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusA young child stomps through the ice covered floors of the castle. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusAll in blue, a young girl emerges from a slot canyon. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusIce designs in layers of blue are scattered along the walls of the castle. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusPathways lead to different courtyards and icy designs. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusTowering walls of ice dwarf a young couple. Photo Credit : Heather MarcusGlacial blue icicles. Photo Credit : Heather Marcus
Have you ever visited the ice castles?
This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.
