The 24-year-old holiday tradition, ICE!, returns to Gaylord Rockies Resort from Nov. 22, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment. This year’s feature is The Polar Express™, brought to life by 40 ice artisans from Harbin, China, using over 2 million pounds of ice. Early bird packages and day tickets are available now at ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.
Guests will journey through nine hand-carved ice scenes from The Polar Express™,including the iconic train’s arrival, the hot chocolate scene, Glacier Gulch, and the North Pole. The exhibit, featuring five two-story interactive ice slides, utilizes colored ice, clear ice, and LED lights for a dazzling display.
Crafted from over 6,000 ice blocks, the 17,000-square-foot attraction takes six weeks and 12,000 man-hours to complete. The ice carvings, some towering over 30 feet, are created using skills passed down through generations and maintained at 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors will wear the signature blue parka to stay warm.
Artisans from Harbin, known for its world-renowned ice and snow sculpting festival, will carve 300-pound blocks of ice into these beloved scenes using various tools, including chisels, chainsaws, and handsaws. The ICE! experience also includes a Nativity scene carved from crystal-clear ice.
Beyond ICE!, Gaylord Rockies offers a winter wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, 200 themed Christmas trees, and a variety of festive activities:
- Cirque: Frost – A Cirque-styled Christmas show featuring acrobatics and high-flying stunts.
- Festival of Trees – Hosted by Lantern, this fundraiser features decorated trees, interactive activities, and supports children’s welfare.
- Mistletoe Mile Scavenger Hunt – Solve Christmas-themed clues to help Santa rebuild his toy blueprints.
- Gingerbread Decorating Corner – Decorate gingerbread and meet Nutmeg, the gingerbread man.
- Build-A-Bear Workshop® – Personalize a furry friend with the Heart Ceremony, outfits, and scents.
- Photos with Santa – Capture a memorable moment with Santa Claus.
- Elf Training Academy – Learn the secrets of becoming Santa’s helper and create a keepsake gift.
- Mrs. Claus Christmas Traditions – Enjoy a retelling of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmaswith cookies and milk.
- Yuletide Street Market – Shop for holiday gifts, toys, ornaments, and more.
- Cozy Comfort at Relâche Spa – Indulge in spa treatments with self-warming masks and rich body butters.
Overnight guests enjoy exclusive perks like “Chill Pass” front-of-line access and “Extra Cool Hour” early entry to ICE! and Mistletoe Village. Christmas packages with special room rates and event access are available. Advance reservations are required for all ticketed events. For more information, visit ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.
