by Mark Smiley | Nov 17, 2025 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
Ice Slides: 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.
Ice Sculptures: Colorful ice sculptures recreate scenes from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! inside the ICE! exhibit at Gaylord Rockies Resort.
A team of 40 master ice artisans from Harbin, China, has arrived at Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, to transform two million pounds of ice into a breathtaking winter wonderland. The group has spent more than 12,000 hours hand-carving intricate sculptures for this year’s ICE! experience, themed around Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Hailing from Harbin — famously known as “Ice City” and home to the world’s largest ice and snow sculpting festival — the artisans have traveled more than 5,700 miles to Colorado. Since 2001, Gaylord Hotels has partnered with these highly skilled carvers to bring their centuries-old craft to life for American audiences.
Using tools such as chisels, tongs, hand saws, grinders, and chainsaws, the team begins with over 6,000 blocks of ice, each weighing about 300 pounds. Working from a 300-page design book, the artisans sculpt everything from coin-sized details to 30-foot-tall scenes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday tale.
Guests visiting ICE! at Gaylord Rockies will be transported through the classic story — journeying from the Grinch’s snowy mountaintop lair and his sneaky sleigh ride into Whoville, to the Whos’ joyful celebration and the Grinch’s heartwarming transformation. Brilliant colored ice, dazzling LED lights, and a precisely maintained 9-degree environment combine to create a mesmerizing display. Visitors can borrow signature blue parkas to stay cozy during the experience.
The attraction also includes two-story ice slides, sparkling tunnels, and live carving demonstrations in the Carver Showcase. ICE! concludes in a serene Nativity scene, sculpted entirely from crystal-clear ice. The display runs from November 24, 2025, through January 2, 2026.
While ICE! is the crown jewel of Christmas at Gaylord Rockies, the holiday spirit extends throughout the resort, which features millions of twinkling lights and more than 200 decorated trees. New this year is the Sugar Snow Station, a whimsical area featuring Candy Cane Mountain Indoor Snow Tubing, Gumdrop Gliders Ice Puck Challenge, and the Sugar N’ Spice Bar offering festive treats.
Ice!: Guests will embark on a journey through hand-carved ice sculptures depicting iconic scenes from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Other seasonal highlights include:
Feast with the Grinch, a family dining event where guests can meet the famously grouchy green guest of honor and his dog, Max.
Sippin’ Santa, a tropical tiki pop-up bar serving island-inspired holiday cocktails in collectible mugs.
Gingerbread Mountain Cabin, a life-sized (12 foot high) creation built from over 1,400 pounds of gingerbread, icing, and candy.
Festival of Trees, an annual fundraiser benefiting Lantern (formerly Bright by Text), supporting early childhood development.
Guests can also enjoy festive favorites like the Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt, the Gingerbread Decorating Corner, Photos with Santa, the Elf Training Academy, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions, and the Yuletide Street Market in Mistletoe Village.
For those looking to extend the holiday magic, overnight guests receive special perks such as “Chill Pass” front-of-line access to ICE! and entry to the resort’s indoor Arapahoe Springs Waterpark.
Tickets for ICE! and other Christmas at Gaylord Rockies attractions must be purchased in advance, as peak weekends often sell out. For details, overnight packages, or reservations, visit ChristmasAtGaylord Rockies.com.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 20, 2025 | Main Articles
Food Banks, Pantries, Soup Kitchens Need Volunteers, Donors To Help Feed Denver’s Hungry
by Glen Richardson
Turkey Trot: United Way’s Thanksgiving four-mile walk-run is Nov. 27 at Wash Park.
Kid-Friendly: Most Mile High groups needing Thanksgiving help are kid friendly.
Dessert Rescue: Denver Rescue Mission server is all smiles as she serves dessert to Denver homeless.
Banking On Boxes: Many food banks provide free food boxes allowing receivers to make their own meal.
Angel’s Deliver: Project Angel Heart needs 400 volunteers to help deliver on Nov. 26.
As Thanksgiving approaches this month, we eagerly anticipate the warmth of family gatherings, and the smell of a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
As you look forward to the food holiday, however, remember there are many in metro Denver worrying about where their next meal will come from. The greatest challenge on this special day for the head of many households is being able to afford food to feed their families.
Amid food price inflation, and a 10% increase in Denver metro area homelessness, food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and faith groups are calling on volunteers and donors to help feed the community this holiday season.
Joy Of Serving
These holiday food providers help to make Thanksgiving and the holiday season in Denver a time of joy and togetherness.
A free turkey may be provided in a Thanksgiving food box, or families may also get a gift card to use to buy a turkey from a grocery store.
Many food banks have a schedule of Thanksgiving food distribution on their website. Individuals and families can also call to ask about hours, and any requirements. Some require signing up early for a Thanksgiving basket or meal.
Lunch, Dinner Options
Some food pantries and soup kitchens also serve a free Thanksgiving lunch or dinner. They may serve this meal on Thanksgiving, the day before Thanksgiving, or the day after. Some locations may provide meals to-go rather than dine-in.
Denver Rescue Mission partners with the Denver Metro community to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Boxes are distributed at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos, every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
Check Websites
Many food banks have a schedule of Thanksgiving food distribution on their website. Individuals and families can also call to ask about hours, and any requirements. Some require signing up early for a Thanksgiving basket or meal.
Many food banks provide free baskets or boxes with food to allow individuals and families to make their own Thanksgiving meal. These boxes include a turkey, and sides like cranberries, gravy, and vegetables. Boxes are often available at drive-thru pantries or contact-less pickup can be scheduled.
Food Banks
Food banks act as a grocery store of sorts for community partners and are responsible for ensuring that partners have the resources they need to feed those seeking help. A food pantry is an independent community site that distributes food and other products directly to those facing hunger.
Food Bank of the Rockies, located on East 45th Ave., is Denver’s largest food bank. “There are many ways to volunteer, and every bit helps us help others,” the organization says. As volunteers, all you have to do is show up, adding that they provide the training, a safe environment, and “communal fun.” Information: 303-371-9250.
Located on Pecos St., Bienvenidos Food Bank provides emergency and supplemental food assistance for individuals and families “in a safe, welcoming place.”
Through partnerships with grocery stores and other food providers they say they are able to turn every $1 cash donation into more than $9 worth of food, including fresh meat and produce. Information: 303-433-6328.
Food Pantries
Jewish Family Services on S. Tamarac Drive operates the Weinberg Food Pantry through collaboration with Food Bank of the Rockies. They provide all the ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Families and individuals, however, must register for the program.
They receive a large box of Thanksgiving food including a turkey, potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie supplies, plus milk and eggs. Donations of nonperishable food items are needed. Information: 202-597-5000.
Denver Food Rescue on York Street says volunteers are at the heart on everything they do. From redistribution of fresh food across Denver to supporting community-led grocery programs, and keeping their work organized, there are volunteer opportunities for everyone. There is a Denver Food Rescue Volunteer Form on their website. Information: 720-510-9139.
Fast Paced, Fun
Denver Inner City Parish on Mariposa St. has a weekly in-person pantry serving up to 160 people, plus five mobile pantries operating throughout metro Denver. Anyone can come to one of their pantries, no ID is required. The pantry is open for donations on Mon.-Tue., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fri. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: 303-629-0636.
Metro Caring Fresh Foods Market-Food Pantry on E. 18th Ave. says volunteers work side-by-side in a fast-paced and fun environment. Their Fresh Foods Market is a free grocery store stocked with produce, meats, dairy, and pantry staples. They say they need you, your friends, or your team from work to volunteer. 303-860-7200
Boulder-based Colorado Pet Pantry allows pet owners to feed and protect their furry family members They distribute about 100,000 lbs. of food to pet owners each month. They need donations of adult dog and cat kibble, plus canned dog food. There is a donation drop off list on their website. They have a pet food bank at Bienvenidos Food Bank. Information: 303-818-0618.
