Gaylord Texan Resort has brought ICE! back to North Texas after a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Running from November 11 through January 1, 2023, this year’s festivities will center around scenes from the classic Christmas movie The Polar Express, including a 17,000-square-foot attraction and sculptures hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice.
The event is held in a climate-controlled room set at 9°F. Event designers utilized colored ice, clear ice, and LED lights to create a winter wonderland full of carved sculptures as large as 30 feet tall.
The event will also feature a ride down two-story tall ice sliders, a journey through ice tunnels and arches, and Carver’s Showcase — a live sculpture demonstration. The attraction will close with a full Nativity scene carved from ice.
Upon entry, guests will be provided with a Gaylord Texan signature blue parka for all ages and sizes to help facilitate an enjoyable experience in spite of the cold temperature.
“We can’t wait for our guests to once again experience the magic and wonder of ICE! during this year’s Lone Star Christmas celebration,” said Chuck Pacioni, general manager of Gaylord Texan Resort. “Since debuting here in 2005, ICE! has always been a one-of-a-kind attraction for our guests, and we’re excited to welcome this Gaylord Hotels tradition back this year with The Polar Express™ and all the beloved characters from the classic holiday movie.”
Gaylord Texan has been presenting ICE! for 15 years, yet this will be the first time that The Polar Express has been featured during the holiday season.
The artisan ice carvers work to prepare the ICE! artwork travel over 7,000 miles from their homes in Harbin, China, to Grapevine, Texas. Harbin is known as the “Ice City” and is famous for its ice festival, Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. It is the world’s largest annual ice and snow sculpting festival.
Information about tickets and hours can be found here.