Omayra Acevedo,  Peak to Peak.   I can’t say it enough. Colorado is so magical. Between the scenery, the wildlife, the year-round activities, the creativity and influence, there’s no place like it in the world. Of course, this is all in my humble opinion. Allow me to tempt you into visiting a world of Rocky Mountain snow and ice; a place so magical, it will make you feel as if you’re living a fairytale.

Welcome to Dillon, Colorado. Located in the heart of Summit County, the town is known for having the highest deep-water Marina in North America, as well as the Dillon Amphitheater. This town offers an endless array of activities, one of which is as enchanting and awe-inspiring as the Rocky Mountains themselves. Every year just before the winter solstice, Dillon is transformed into a winter-wonderland ice castle.

The very first ice castle was built in Alpine, Utah by a man who is now the founder of the event, Brent Christensen. He built a castle for his daughter by spraying a wood frame with water. His daughter named the structure the “Ice Castles” and the rest, as they say, is history. Dillon is one of six locations where you can see an ice castle in the states. Each castle is constructed as one giant piece of interconnected ice, weighing roughly 25,000,000 pounds and a little over an acre in size. The walls are 10 feet thick and strong enough to hold tall buildings.

Visiting during the daytime allows you to enjoy your journey in warmer weather. However, it is during the dark hours that you can experience the ice castle in colors as stunning as the Aurora Borealis. I hear that this year there will be a dome room, a 50-foot slide and a few other additions to explore.

Due to popularity of this event, please remember a few things before heading out. Purchase your tickets in advance and dress for winter, it’s cold out there! If you’re bringing infants or toddlers, they recommend you leave the stroller at home because of the difficulty in pushing one through some of the terrain. Bring a camera and read up on the event before you go. It will help you further appreciate the grandeur of what you will experience.

Don’t forget, there are also a few other mountain towns you can explore that are covered in Rocky Mountain Christmas décor, shops, restaurants and plenty of activities for everyone of all ages. Wrapped in a blanket of twinkling snow and converted into a destination of fairytales, Dillon is by far a great place to submerge yourself in a world of majesty, caves, castles and ice.

For more information check out https://icecastles.com/dillon/