AURORA, Colo. — More than 2 million pounds of ice will be transformed into a winter wonderland this holiday season at Gaylord Rockies.
"ICE!," the Aurora resort's annual holiday tradition, will return Friday, Nov. 22.
The exhibition will use more than 2 million pounds of ice to celebrate the 2004 holiday classic "The Polar Express."
"ICE!," which first appeared at Gaylord Rockies in 2019, is to be constructed by a team of 40 ice artisans from Harbin, China. It will take approximately six weeks to create the 17,000-square-foot frozen attraction from 6,000 blocks of ice.
Colored ice, clear ice and LED lights will be used to create 10 scenes from the movie, including the Polar Express arriving at Hero Boy’s house, passengers enjoying hot chocolate aboard the train, a descent through Glacier Gulch, and the arrival at the North Pole.
The attraction features five, two-story tall interactive ice slides and will use colored ice, clear ice and LED lights used to create the display, as well as a separate area dedicated to a Nativity scene.
The environment is kept frozen by a state-of-the-art chilling system that maintains the attraction’s temperature at 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Guests get to wear a blue parka to stay warm inside the exhibition.
Gaylord Rockies also announced a new family-friendly cirque show will also be held during the 2024 holiday season.
"Cirque: Frost" will follow young Jack as he discovers his destiny as the legendary winter spirit, Jack Frost. The 50-minute show will high-flying stunts and feats in a heartwarming tale of a dreamer who brings enchantment and wonder to the world.
Gaylord Rockies said its other holiday season activities this year include gingerbread decorating, elf training academy, scavenger hunt, Mistletoe Village with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and Build-A-Bear Workshop.
The resort's Christmas-season events run through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
For tickets, information, or to book a stay, guests can visit ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.
