by Mark Smiley | Nov 15, 2024 | Travel
Over 12,000 Hours Dedicated To Creating Colorado’s Largest Indoor Ice Attraction
by Mark Smiley
Thirty ice artisans from Harbin, China, arrived at Gaylord Rockies to begin the annual carving process for ICE!, a holiday attraction featuring ice sculptures that will bring this year’s theme, The Polar Express, to life. They have transformed 2 million pounds of ice into a 17,000-square-foot display, using chippers, tongs, handsaws, grinders, and chainsaws.
The artisans traveled over 5,700 miles from Harbin, China, famously known as “Ice City,” home to the world’s largest annual ice and snow sculpting festival. Since 2001, Gaylord Hotels has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and these talented artists to capture their extraordinary craftsmanship here in the U.S. At Gaylord Rockies, some of the same artisans behind the Harbin festival will sculpt 300-pound blocks of ice into larger-than-life scenes from Warner Bros. The Polar Express™.
The artisans, drawing on generations of expertise, work from a detailed 300-page design book to bring the ice spectacle to life. Each artisan contributes a unique talent — some mastering demolition with chainsaws, while others focus on intricate, precise carvings. Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin to scenes more than 30 feet tall. A cutting-edge chilling system will keep the entire space at a frosty 9 degrees Fahrenheit, and guests will stay cozy in the attraction’s signature blue parkas.
This holiday season, guests will embark on a journey through hand-carved ice sculptures depicting nine scenes from The Polar Express. In celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, featured scenes include the Polar Express arriving at Hero Boy’s house, passengers enjoying hot chocolate aboard the train, an exhilarating descent through Glacier Gulch, and the enchanting arrival at the North Pole. The attraction will use colored ice, clear ice, and LED lights to create the breathtaking display.
In addition to the awe-inspiring ice sculptures from the beloved Christmas film, guests can take rides down the two-story-tall ice slides, traverse through ice tunnels and arches, and visit the carver showcase to watch artisans perform live carving demonstrations. The ICE! experience concludes
in a separate area dedicated to the Nativity scene, meticulously carved and shaped in a dramatic display of crystal-clear ice. ICE! featuring The Polar Express will run from Nov. 22, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025.
Christmas at Gaylord Rockies packages that include special room rates and admission to select events are now available. Guests are encouraged to book their experiences early, as advance online reservations are required for all ticketed events, and prime dates are expected to sell out. For tickets, more information, or to book an overnight stay, guests may visit ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
Silver & Gold: The Bull & Bush Brewery won gold for Ghoul Fuel – Rum Diaries Edition and silver for Temporary Paradise – Rum Diaries Edition, both in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer category at this year’s Great American Beer Festival competition.
Happy Crew: The Launch Pad crew shortly after winning a gold medal for Silver Medal Worthy, a Belgian Golden Strong Golden Ale.
The Great American Beer Festival was held the weekend of October 12, 2024, at the Colorado Convention Center. The Brewers Association once again hosted one of the world’s most prestigious and influential beer competitions. And, two Chamber breweries, Bull & Bush Brewery and Launch Pad Brewery, brought home medals. Colorado breweries and cideries won 41 medals all together, topping last year’s haul of 40 for the centennial state.
The 38th edition of the GABF competition featured 8,836 beers judged among 1,869 breweries and cideries. There were 285 judges blind taste testing these beers and they awarded 326 total medals. The winning beers in more than 100 categories were announced at the Bellco Theatre in Denver on Saturday, October 12.
“The Great American Beer Festival continues its commitment to recognizing exceptional beverages from across the country in the 2024 competition,” said Chris Williams, competition director for the Brewers Association. “With the addition of five new cider categories, we’re pleased to recognize the best of the best in beer and beyond. Congratulations to this year’s winners.”
Among those winners were the Bull & Bush Brewery, who won gold and silver medals in the same category. This is a feat that experts don’t remember ever happening. The Glendale brewery won gold for Ghoul Fuel – Rum Diaries Edition and silver for Temporary Paradise – Rum Diaries Edition, both in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer category.
“Brewing can be humbling, said Erik Peterson, owner of the Bull & Bush Brewery. “Aging beer in wood barrels is a singular and humbling exercise in passion, skill, and patience. The Bull & Bush Brewery team of Gabe, Josh, and Nick have each brought all of these skills together as a team. All together we celebrate a silver and GOLD in the Wood Aged Beer category!”
Different Layout: This year’s festival featured different sections which is different from layouts of years past. Photo courtesy of the Brewers Association
Gabe Moline, Head Brewer at the Bull & Bush Brewery adds: “The multi-year G.A.B.F. drought is over for the Bull & Bush crew. Two beers, same category, gold and silver … incredible. Maybe the secret is out after 27 years of brewing at the world famous Bull & Bush?”
Another proud Chamber member, Launch Pad Brewery, also won a gold medal at the competition. Silver Medal Worthy, a Belgian Golden Strong Golden Ale dry-hopped with HBC 586 hops, won a gold medal in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category.
“We always knew Silver Medal Worthy was something special, but to take home the gold at the Great American Beer Festival is an incredible honor,” said Paul Mahoney, Co-Owner/Head Brewer for Launch Pad Brewery. “It just goes to show that sometimes aiming for silver brings home the gold.”
The festival itself had a different layout with separate sections with breweries lined up alphabetically. The sections included Blast Off, Fright, Prost, and others which featured a different theme in each. Attendees were initially confused on how to find their favorite breweries or ones they wanted to try. Once they navigated through the convention entry hall, it became more obvious.
Next year’s festival is set for October 9-11, 2025. For more information, visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.
