Exploring the New Hampshire Ice Castles

Did you know there’s an extra special annual winter attraction in North Woodstock, New Hampshire? Ice castles (yes, real ice castles) have become a sought-after destination for families and photographers in recent years, and New Hampshire is home to one of just six special-made ice castles nationwide.

Entering through icy layers and tunnels, you arrive in a real-life version of the popular Disney movie Frozen. Gleaming towers are made from 30-foot-tall shards of ice, secret staircases tucked within. Children whizz through slides and crawl through crevices and tunnels. Parents snap pictures of icicle stalagmites and stalactites glinting in the sun. A frothy fountain draws visitors to the castle’s main courtyard. Strapping ice-wranglers hail from area colleges and towns, outfitted with ice-climbing boots and snow-making equipment, they are a cadre of merry north country elves cutting blocks for igloos, posing for photos, shepherding children through the beautiful maze, and jovially answering questions. At night, the entire acre becomes an aurora borealis, lit from within in a rainbow of fiery colors. As winter and weather cooperate, the castle will continue to grow, at least doubling in size, before spring temperatures melt the artistic and fun-filled winter wonderland.

Exploring the New Hampshire Ice Castles

Note: These images are from our visit to the Lincoln, New Hampshire, ice castles in 2015. In 2019 the ice castle attraction was moved to a new location in North Woodstock, New Hampshire. For more information, visit icecastles.com.

Have you ever visited the ice castles?

This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.