AURORA, Colo. (Nov. 24, 2025) — Christmas at Gaylord Rockies has officially begun. Today, the resort opens its signature holiday attraction, ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, a 17,000-square-foot frozen experience carved from more than two million pounds of ice by 30 artisans from Harbin, China. The resort also debuts several new experiences for the 2025 season, including Sugar Snow Station featuring Candy Cane Mountain Indoor Snow Tubing and Gumdrop Gliders Ice Puck Challenge, Sippin’ Santa at Gaylord Rockies, Feast with the Grinch and the resort’s largest-ever pastry creation—a life-sized Gingerbread Mountain Cabin—now open to the public.
Tickets and overnight packages are available at ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.
ICE! Featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! — NOW OPEN
Guests can journey through hand-carved ice sculptures that bring the beloved Dr. Seuss story to life—from the Grinch’s mountaintop lair to Who-ville’s joyful Christmas morning. The attraction includes towering ice scenes, vibrant colored ice, crystal-clear carvings, dazzling LED lights, and the fan-favorite two-story ice slides.
The experience is kept at 9°F, preserved by a state-of-the-art chilling system, while guests stay warm in Gaylord Hotels’ signature blue parkas.
Thirty ice artisans from Harbin, China—home to the world’s largest ice and snow sculpting festival—spent five weeks carving the display from over 6,000 blocks of ice. Their work includes everything from delicate, coin-sized details to scenes stretching more than 30 feet tall.
NEW: Sugar Snow Station
An indoor, steampunk-inspired playground located next to Mistletoe Village, new for 2025, featuring:
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NEW: Candy Cane Mountain Indoor Snow Tubing – Guests can race down a four-lane hill lined with candy-cane stripes and alpine-inspired décor. The attraction offers unlimited rides on the day of purchase. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall, and each tube is for single riders only.
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NEW: Gumdrop Gliders: Ice Puck Challenge – A seven-hole game, where guests slide pucks through candy-themed obstacles, including gingerbread factories, gumdrop forests and hot cocoa rivers. Each hole features colorful holiday décor and confection-inspired designs.
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NEW: Sugar N’ Spice Bar – A central hub serving seasonal favorites including salted three-chocolate chip cookies, house-made chili, roasted nuts, and grilled cheese with tomato soup.
NEW: Sippin’ Santa at Gaylord Rockies
A holiday-themed tiki bar pop-up on the Old Hickory terrace featuring festive cocktails, island-inspired décor, and collectible mugs. Guests can join Christmas CarolOke on Dec. 8 and 15 to sing along to holiday favorites while enjoying seasonal drinks.
NEW: Life-Sized Gingerbread Mountain Cabin
A life-sized Gingerbread Mountain Cabin handcrafted by the Gaylord Rockies pastry team using over 2,000 pounds of gingerbread, icing, and candy. Standing over eight feet tall, the cabin features sugar-sculpted poinsettias and holly, cookie skis, and over 1,000 gumballs. Created over 4.5 months by more than 25 pastry cooks, this impressive display showcases the artistry and engineering behind one of Colorado’s largest gingerbread creations.
Additional Seasonal Experiences:
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NEW: Feast with the Grinch –Join everyone’s favorite green and grouchy character for a festive dining experience inspired byHow The Grinch Stole Christmas! Max will also be on hand as the Grinch makes a rare appearance outside of Who-ville.
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NEW: The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt– The Grinch has hidden clues of his mischievous plan throughout the resort. Solve riddles to help save the joy of the season and earn a special stocking stuffer upon completion.
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Gingerbread Decorating Corner –Guests can personalize their own gingerbread cookies made fresh by the Gaylord Rockies pastry team, and meet Nutmeg, the resort’s jolly gingerbread mascot.
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Build-A-Bear Workshop® –Personalize a furry friend at Build-A-Bear® and take part in the brand’s one-of-a-kind Heart Ceremony. Add scents, sounds, and outfits to create the perfect gift or Christmas keepsake.
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Photos with Santa –Skip the letter to the North Pole and deliver your wish list in person. Capture a festive photo with Santa and make sure you’re on the nice list.
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Elf Training Academy –Step inside Santa’s Workshop and learn how to become one of his helpers. Led by one of Santa’s top toymakers, guests will complete elf training and craft a holiday keepsake.
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Mrs. Claus Christmas Traditions –Join Mrs. Claus for a cozy celebration of Christmas traditions, including a retelling of ’Twas The Night Before Christmas, carols, and Santa’s favorite cookies and milk.
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Yuletide Street Market in Mistletoe Village –This festive market features wall-to-wall holiday gifts, collectibles, plush toys, home décor, apparel, ornaments, and more.
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Festival of Trees –This holiday fundraiser features beautifully decorated trees available for auction, with proceeds benefiting Lantern (formerly Bright by Text) and its mission to ensure every child has access to trusted early childhood resources.
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Holiday Dining –Enjoy festive meals and seasonal treats across the resort, including holiday menus at select restaurants, themed cocktails, Auntie Anne’s pretzels, and Cinnabon favorites.
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Relâche Spa –Guests can unwind in the award-winning Relâche Spa with seasonal treatments designed to refresh and rejuvenate.
Overnight guests will enjoy perks including:
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“Chill Pass” privileges to the ICE! attraction, offering front-of-line access
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Arapahoe Springs Water Park – Open year-round, the resort’s indoor/outdoor waterpark offers heated pools, thrilling waterslides and family-friendly fun—all exclusively for overnight guests.
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On-Site Dining Reservations
