Ice Castles in Midway, Utah

Ice Castles
Midway, Utah

I have never been a huge fan of winter. January 1st I am over the cold and the snow and would be very happy if we could just get right to spring. However, I will say that winter in Utah is a little less miserable than winter on the east coast. For starters, the cold and snow is useful here, especially when you live within 30 minutes of several of the countries best ski resorts. 

If you aren't into skiing, there are plenty winter activities you can enjoy like snow shoeing, sledding, tubing, cross country skiing, ice climbing, and on and on. One thing pretty unique to Utah that you can only enjoy in the colder months, is the Midway Ice Castles.

Midway, Utah, is in the northeast corner of the state about 1 hour southeast of Salt Lake City. It is probably one of the cutest Utah towns, and just might be my favorite (there are so so so many horses in this town). An adorable little town, home to the Midway Ice Castles and the Homestead Crater (a warm diving destination). Midway is also right next to Heber City, home to the Heber Valley Historic Railroad. 

As you arrive in Midway, you will be surrounded by mountains. You will pass the Wasatch Mountain State Park on your way to Soldier Hollow, a cross country skiing and tubing resort, and the new home of the Midway Ice Castles. 

Arriving at the Ice Castles, you can't help but hum along "Let It Go" and channel your "inner Elsa" as you make your way into the Ice Castles (You can actually meet the ice princesses' at certain times at the ice castles). Ice formations, arches, caverns, tunnels, a water fountain and a 50 foot slide are some of the features you can find in the ice castles. Did I mention there is hot cocoa and hot cinnamon roles for purchase inside the ice castles?

The Ice Castles opened January 8th, and see an average of 2,000 to 3,000 visitors per day. While they are beautiful during the day, night is the best time to visit when you can see the synchronized light and music show. We chose to visit the ice castles around 6:00 pm when we could get a glimpse of the ice castles by day and by night. The sunset over the mountains isn't too bad either. 

Season

January 8th to March

Address

2002 Soldier Hollow Road, Midway Utah

Hours

M-Th: 3pm to 9pm

Friday: 3pm to 10pm

Saturday: Noon to 10pm 

Sunday: Closed 

Pricing 

Weekday Price Online: Child (4-11) $6.95 General (12+) $9.95

Weekend Price Online: Child (4-11) $8.95 General (12+) $12.95

Weekday Price Standby: Child (4-11) $10 General (12+) $15

Weekend Price Standby: Child (4-11) $12 General (12+) $18

Buy tickets online HERE

Also check Groupon to see if they have any deals for the Ice Castles

Directions
The Ice Castles are located at Soldier Hollow Resort in Midway Utah.  For your GPS plug in:  About 50 minutes from Salt Lake City.  The northeast route (I-80 E to US-189) is slightly quicker then the southern route (I-15 S to US 189).  Either way, follow the signs to Soldier Hollow.  

The Midway Ice Castles will bring out the inner child in anyone. You can head into the tunnels and even make your way down the ice slide. But we warned, this is a very popular attraction, especially on the weekend. We chose to go during the week when we knew it would be less crowded. The weekends have been so busy that they are selling out for the online price and it has been standby only.

Also be warned that you are standing in a castle of ice, on a bed of snow. And that this area is quite cold, especially at night. It was about 18 degrees the night we visited, and our toes were quickly numb from walking around on the ice and snow. Be sure to really bundle up, and some hand and feet warmers would also be a great idea. 

Ice Castle Fun Facts

from the Deseret News Article 

• The Ice Castles cover 1 acre
• The Ice Castles are the work and brainchild of ice artist Christensen, who with CEO Ryan Davis and a crew of trained workers has built four large ice creations in Utah, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Canada.
• Utah is the toughest site, Christensen said, because of the unpredictable weather shifts.
• Since the castles’ origins, more than 750,000 people have toured an ice castle.
• His ice castles have been used as the backdrop for a number of video and music shorts, including Alex Boye and Lexi Walker performing “Let It Go” with One Voice Children’s choir; The Piano Guys’ “Let It Go”/Vivaldi's “Winter”; and Lindsey Stirling's “Crystallize.”
• This year, the results of 2,000-3,000 hours of intensive hard work in the cold with water and ice are impressive.