Climb in ice castles, watch ice sculpting live at popular southern Colorado event

By William J. Dagendesh

It’s that time of the season when Colorado weather changes before your very eyes and a popular winter event that offers the best in snow returns to Cripple Creek.

The Cripple Creek Ice Festival in Colorado’s famous historic mining town is a celebration of ice, chisels and chainsaws. For many visitors, the free
event – boasting carving competitions, large-scale ice sculptures, and
numerous interactive ice castles and other frosty attractions – is the ultimate winter experience.

Each year, hordes of visitors flock to the festival where icy treasures – like impeccably wrapped, multi-colored parcels tucked beneath the Christmas tree – await curious cold-weather enthusiasts. And that’s not all. Attendees will experience new and vintage pop music standards, a heated kiddy arcade and lots of mouthwatering food during the festival, which is scheduled from
Feb. 14-22 on Bennett Avenue downtown.

Intricately carved ice sculptures crafted by artists from throughout the country inspire spectators to embrace the joy of winter. For many, this live competition is the festival’s showstopper because it provides insight into how sculptors are inspired to carve exquisite works of art from a block of frozen H2O.

Sculptors spend hours in the winter weather creating what they hope will leave an impression with visitors and art lovers. Also, spectators can vote for their favorite artist in the People’s Choice Awards, in which the winning sculptor will earn a moment of notoriety and walk away with a $5,000 cash prize.

A walk through the frozen ice castles can take 45 minutes to an hour or more, depending on guests’ speed and interest in the castles’ slides, tunnels and other attractions. All ice sculptures usually are viewable throughout the festival’s duration, with specific times for competitions and vendors provided closer to event time.

Marie Rieger, director of marketing and events, said she believes the festival is popular with residents because it is a “wonderful event to gather and celebrate winter.” Although not a fundraiser, Cripple Creek hopes to collect “enough to cover the cost of the event and improve next year’s (festival),” Rieger said.

When outside summer activities give way to a long winter’s slumber, a festival can brighten the spirit. For this reason, Rieger hopes visitors will take away the experience of community and collaboration, while celebrating winter in Colorado’s famous mountain mining town. “(The festival) brings business to everyone and it was slow this time of year in the past,” Rieger said.

Of course the grand ice displays are the biggest draw. Mythological Wonderland, Renaissance and Under the Sea are among previous event themes. The latest theme will be announced soon.

This story is from our winter 2025-2026 issue. Read the entire issue online here, and find our full magazine archive here.