Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Ice Castles

Ok...so 2020 is not the year of blogging more often. I don't know what it is the year of yet other than the year of not much free time. C'est la vie!

Photos and exploring have not been happening much but we did get away for a night...destination Edmonton, Alberta to see the Ice Castles. Edmonton is only 1.5 hours north of where we live but still it was a nice overnight 'staycation'.

If you go to https://icecastles.com/ you'll see there are only 6 of these particular Ice Castle attractions (did they trademark the name?) in North American, and only 1 of those is in Canada. Why they chose Edmonton...who knows, but lucky for us they did. (Being from Calgary, we naturally have a friendly rivalry with Edmonton. Go Flames Go.)

Even though it was crazy busy and I couldn't take any kind of photo that shows the scope of this frozen attraction, I did get a few photos that don't do this place justice but do show how colourful and unique it is.










The lights were always changing making it really fun to watch. There was big tunnels and narrow tunnels where you had to back up to let someone by, there was little kid sized tunnels that I wouldn't go in. I would feel like Steve McQueen in The Great Escape, Arctic version. There was also ice slides, sculptures and entertainment. We watched the fire dancers and there was fireworks every half hour or so too. Outside the ice castles was another event with snow sculptures, skating and music. It was worth the trip!!







The next day we visited the Alberta Aviation Museum and enjoyed that as well. All in all a good trip to Edmonton.

Thanks for reading this far everyone! I am catching up on my blog reading and can't wait to see what I have missed!


36 comments:

  1. It looks like a great visit. The photos are super.

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    1. Thank you so much! I watched a video on how they make these...so cool!

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  2. ...you may not blog regularly, but when you do, you blow me away! What a BIG WOW, thanks!

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  3. Oh, your Ice Castle photos are just MARVELOUS! You captured some real beauty and excitement in them. We went to the Ice Castle the first year they built one in Edmonton (probably 3-4 years ago now) but I think they've improved on it mightily since then. Case in point -- there were no fire dancers when WE were there! Or fireworks!

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    1. Hahahha! I wondered if I might get a Go Oilers from you! Thanks Debra, so glad we went! Definitely something I'd go to every year, note to self to go early as the traffic into the park was very backed up!!

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    1. Thanks William! Looks like something you'd take photos of if it was in Ottawa!!

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  5. You captured excellent photos here Jenn, what a brilliant venue and how nice to get away for a night, can really recharge the batteries 💙

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    1. Thank you! It was a nice getaway and luckily not too cold!!

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    1. Thanks Adam! We have lots of ice and snow but it never looked this pretty!!

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    1. Thanks RedPat! It is something I will check out every winter now!

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  8. You got some great photos. Makes me wish we had something similar here.

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    1. Thanks John! I knew it would be cool (haha) but seeing it in person was so much better!

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  9. "Why they chose Edmonton" That's easy! It's because Calgary's weather changes drastically every day so anything made of ice is out of the question. Besides, Edmonton is a beautiful place to visit as your photos demonstrate.

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    1. Thanks Glen...it's hard to not get some digs in at Edmonton but yes, we have seen lots of cool things on our trips there.

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  10. So beautiful, friend Jenn … I have no words … Love, cat.

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  11. Very pretty! We had something like that a few years ago in Winnipeg - maybe the same organization. It was very cool. Literally! ;)

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    1. Thanks Steve! Winnipeg definitely has the weather for it!!

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  12. Ha ha ha ha...The Great Escape - Arctic Version really made me giggle. Those are some beautiful photos Jenn!

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    1. Thanks Rain! Sorry my replying skills are lacking lately, hope all is well with you!

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  13. Wow, that was worth a visit Jenn!! Ice castles have always been a wonder destination for me. The illumination had further accentuated the castle’s beauty. Fireworks and dancers were the perfect addition to the beauty. Great job Jenn!! Awaiting more from your travel diaries.

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    1. Thank you so much! They really were a sight to see!!

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  14. Great pictures Jenn! If they tried to make an ice castle in Medicine Hat it would melt during the first chinook.

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    1. LOL, I guess Edmonton was the logical choice!

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  15. Sure, 2020 has been a busy year so far, Jenn. You have shared a wonderful experience of Edmonton. The fire dancers were amazing, and the show was impressive. I love the ice castles, these are the first of its kind for me. Glad to know it wasn't too cold, I'd prefer it that way!

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    1. Thanks so much for the comment! I still love looking back on the photos from my visit there.

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  17. Thanks Agnes! It was such a cool sight to see!

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  18. This looks like a scenes from ice age movie. Nice come back after a long time. Edmonton surely looks like a place to visit. The photographs look amazing. Can’t wait to travel to this place.

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