Christmas season is in full swing and so are the holiday activities for kids in Denver. Our recent family Christmas excursion led us to Gaylord Rockies, a world-class resort just a stone’s throw away from Denver International Airport. (Ironically, unless you are actually going to the airport, it’s a bit of a hike from the Denver area.)
The highlight of our visit? The extraordinary holiday attraction, ICE! – a mesmerizing journey through scenes from the timeless classic ‘A Christmas Story™,’ brought to life with over two million pounds of brilliantly colored ice. Jamie and I had done this once many years ago when our oldest was only a toddler so this was a very different experience now that the kids are older (7, 5, and 3 years old).
In this unique holiday experience, we zoomed down two-story-tall ice slides, and viewed numerous scenes from A Christmas Story. Crafted by over 40 master artisans dedicating more than 6 weeks and 12,000 carving hours, ICE! spans 17,000 square feet and features ten immersive scenes from the beloved family tale.
Looking for other adventures near Denver? Check our post here!
Bundle For The 9° Chill
The ICE! adventure takes place in a frosty environment at a brisk 9 degrees Fahrenheit, so complimentary signature blue parkas are provided to keep everyone snug. Though there’s no strict time limit, the average visit lasts between 20 to 40 minutes. (basically as long as you can bare the cold!) We bundled up with hats, gloves, and our own jackets, as even with the provided parkas, the chilly air seeped in. Despite the cold, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience, spending a little over an hour exploring the frozen wonderland.
Remind you of Skiing? See Why We Love Keystone Resort: Click Here!
Need To Watch A Christmas Story?
While Jamie and I were only vaguely familiar with ‘A Christmas Story,’ having loosely seen it over the years, and our kids had yet to watch it, the captivating scenes still left us all in awe. No prior knowledge of the movie is required to enjoy ICE!, but watching it beforehand might enhance the appreciation of iconic scenes like the boy licking the frozen pole or the famous leg lamp.
Want to watch A Christmas Story? You may need to buy/rent it: Check Here.
Pricing & Specials
Tickets for ICE! start at $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children. We managed to snag a deal on the website, taking advantage of the November special – buy 2 adult tickets and get 2 at a discounted rate. Considering the experience, we found this discounted price to be a fair price for our family outing, with our in-laws joining us with the extra tickets.
If paying full price, I’d say that it is a bit on the steeper side for the overall experience but not outrageous by any means. Think of it like paying to go to an art museum or another creative attraction. If you appreciate art and the time it takes for artists to craft these ice sculptures you will appreciate it much better.
Plan For Crowds
We strategically chose Thanksgiving day for our visit, encountering minimal crowds. The wait for the large ice slides was brief, and there was no line for the kid slides. However, we’d advise against peak times to avoid long lines and ensure a more enjoyable experience. If it were any more crowded it would’ve dampened the experience a bit.
Other Christmas Attractions at GayLord Rockies
While ICE! was our primary attraction at the Gaylord, and the only one we ended up doing, the resort offers an array of other holiday activities, including a Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show, an escape room, photos with Santa, arts and crafts, and more. Some of these additional activities come with a hefty price tag, so consider your budget and preferences when planning. There are plenty of other holiday activities elsewhere in Denver, so we chose to save our money for other plans later in the season.
Contsruction Was a Bummer
One disappointment this year was the ongoing construction, completely gutting and blocking off the Grand Lodge (lobby) of the hotel. The Grand Lodge is a major feature of the Gaylord Rockies, and its absence left us yearning for the cozy post-ICE relaxation we had anticipated. Also, we were a little annoyed that this isn’t clear from the website that this is going on. Despite this setback, there are still many other areas to relax around the hotel and the outdoor fire pit area provided a welcoming retreat after our chilly adventure.
ICE! In a Nutshell
In conclusion, our Gaylord Rockies ICE! experience was a frosty delight that left us with with some great memories. Consider bundling up, grabbing a hot beverage afterward, and making it part of your holiday tradition – just be sure to check for any ongoing renovations that might impact your overall resort experience, and be sure to be on the lookout for the best deals! You probably don’t need to pay full price for this if you find the right deals!
