EDMONTON — Winter lovers, rejoice. After much anticipation, the massive “Narnia-like” ice castle in Hawrelak Park is now open to the public.
Crews with the U.S.-based company Ice Castles have been hard at work over the past several weeks sculpting the massive structure, which was built with harvested icicles grown from more than three kilometres of sprinklers.
Roughly every metre of castle requires about 400 icicles. The winter spectacle also comes with slides, waterfalls, tunnels and caves.
The company’s CEO said the weather in Edmonton has been ideal for the building process.
“We love the weather up here. It’s warm for you guys, but this is awesome,” Ryan Davis said earlier this month. “This is fabulous. We’re happy.”
READ MORE: Construction underway on Edmonton’s massive ice castle
Before it even opened, the structure drew in crowds, with people stopping by to take pictures.
The ice castle will be lit up and music will be synchronized with the dancing lights.
“Ice has amazing properties. When you turn on lights within it, it just takes on the colour of the lights inside so it’s pretty neat,” Davis said.
READ MORE: Massive ‘Narnia-like’ ice castle coming to Edmonton this winter
Ice Castles, which has built winter castles in the United States since 2009, partnered with the City of Edmonton and the Silver Skate Festival to bring the winter attraction to Edmonton this winter. Edmonton is the first Canadian city the company has visited.
WATCH: While many tend to stay indoors when the mercury drops, the city and private enterprises are looking to change that with a number of initiatives. Quinn Ohler takes a closer look.
The ice castle will be open from 3 – 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 – 10 p.m. on Fridays, noon – 10 p.m. on Saturdays and noon – 8 p.m. on Sundays.
The ice castle will be closed on Tuesdays.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at a discount on Ice Castles’ website. General admission for ages 12 and up is $12.95 Monday through Thursday and $15.95 Friday through Sunday.
For those four to 11 years old, tickets are $9.95 Mon day through Thursday and $11.95 Friday through Sunday. These prices do not include taxes.
Prices for tickets bought on site are more expensive. For more information on hours and ticket prices, visit Ice Castles’ website.
Weather permitting, the castle will be open to the public until March.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Monday, Dec. 21. It was updated on Dec. 30 to include information about the ice castle being open.
Comments