Midway Ice Castles – The Coolest Place in Utah

I’m always looking for new ways to get outdoors with the kids, especially in winter. That’s why I was so excited to visit the Midway Ice Castles, an outdoor attraction made entirely of ice.

This one acre winter wonderland includes slot canyons, tunnels, a slide and a throne formed from beautiful frozen water. The walls extend twenty feet high and are lit from within with multicolored lights that change in time to music.

These ice sculptures are truly amazing. They reminded me of visiting Lehman Cave in Great Basin National Park with all the stalactites and stalagmites. The formations are all unique, built by water spraying onto icicles. Some take weeks to truly grow.

On this outdoor adventure, Little G, Baby L and I braved a snow storm to drive to Soldier Hollow in Midway, UT for the media preview. Little G loved the Frozen soundtrack and spent most of her time pretended to be Elsa in her ice castle (in her version there was a grandfather who also had ice powers). In her game she explored every area of the castle, some of which were impossible for me, a full-sized adult with a baby strapped on, to enter. I was glad to have the baby strapped on though, the floor is ice and snow and a stroller would’ve been impossible.

The snow falling added to the winter wonderland appeal, creating a sense of wonder and excitement. I loved exploring the different rooms and pathways. It was truly beautiful.

The Ice Castles company have locations in Utah, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. Opening dates and times may be different at each location since the attraction is dependent on weather. Last year they were only open 3 days, but this year they expect to remain open until March.

When you visit, make sure to purchase tickets online at the Ice Castles website – icecastles.com/midway. Not only is it cheaper, there are limited numbers of standby tickets available for each night they are open.

If you’re looking for something a little different this winter, check out the coolest place in Utah – Midway Ice Castles.

Hours
Monday-Thursday 3pm to 9pm
Friday 3pm to 10pm
Saturday Noon to 10pm
Sunday Closed

Online Pricing (Ages 0-3 are free)
Weekday
Child (4-11): $6.95
General (12+): $9.95

Weekend
Child (4-11): $8.95
General (12+): $12.95

Standby Pricing (Ages 0-3 are free)
Weekday
Child (4-11): $10.00
General (12+):$15.00

Weekend
Child (4-11): $12.00
General (12+): $18.00

Outdoor Retailer, Ice Castles and Gorgoza Tubing

This is a busy week at Mountain Mom and Tots. Not only is it my birthday week (why celebrate one day when you could celebrate seven?) it’s also a week full of fun outdoor events.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Show 2016

Photo from GoSnug Blanket Kickstarter

Outdoor Retailer is the largest convention of outdoor the outdoor industry. From January 6-10, 2016 companies large and small come to show off the cool, new, and unique products that help us get outdoors. And I’ll be there checking it all out.

Follow me on twitter or instagram for live coverage of the show! I’m @mountainmomtots and I’ll be using #OR2016.

Midway Ice Castles

Photo from Midway Ice Castles Gallery

This Friday January 8, 2016 is opening day for a truly unique winter experience. Just up the road in Midway, UT the company Ice Castles LLC is creating a winter wonderland. I’ve never seen anything like the photos online and I’m excited to check it out in person. For more info visit their website.

Tubing at Gorgoza Park 

Photo from Gorgoza.com

I was invited to attend a Utah Blogger’s Day at Gorgoza Park in Park City this week. I’ve always wanted to try this out with my tots and now that Little g is not quite so little I think it’ll be a fun time. They also have Fort Frosty for the under 3 crowd.

Come back soon to check out how these fun winter activities went. I hope you get out and explore!

 

The Magic of Bogs Footwear

Even though you can’t see them, I’m wearing Bogs Boots under all that snow.

This past Christmas we were buried under several FEET of snow. When there’s that much snow, you have to have good boots. Lucky for me Bogs Footwear sent me and Big E a pair of their insulated winter boots to review. I can tell you they rose to the challenge.

I was first introduced to Bogs Footwear by my sister in law. When I told her I was reviewing them for my blog she was more than enthusiastic. She sent me this note on facebook.


I like Bogs boots. Not cheap, but they are both rain and snow boots, so I only have 1 pair for all inclement weather. They last forever and don’t split (we ran through a lot of rain boots that way before). They also have good traction.

They have handles on the side of the boots for the kids, so they can get them on and off easily themselves. They are very flexible (I don’t like stiff winter boots). They don’t get too hot in warmer weather, but keep feet toasty in the winter. My kids love them, I think they’re magic. They come in toddler sizes, kids, and adults. Every member of our household has a pair.

Magic? That’s high praise. 

Overall I’ve also been impressed with these boots. They’ve become the only boots I wear now because they are stylish enough to wear with skinny jeans and sturdy enough to take on rain, snow, sleet or hail. Okay, I’ve only tried them in rain and snow, but they are waterproof and rated up to -40F so I’m pretty sure they’d handle sleet and hail just fine.

 

Plus they’re cute. I like my feet to make a fashion statement, especially when the world around is so colorless and blah. Thanks Bogs Footwear.

Sometimes I have been cold even though the boots are rated at -40F. If I’m walking, chasing, climbing, playing or moving my toes stay warm and toasty, but riding on a snow machine or on occasion in the car my feet feel cold inside the boots. These boots come with efficient insulation that’s not bulky. In my opinion the insulation works best when it traps your own body heat.

Also, I wish I had requested one size smaller. I bought one size up thinking I would need the extra space with my thick winter socks, but Bogs Footwear run true to size.


 

Big E opened his boots on Christmas morning and immediately put them to use climbing up the roof and jumping into the massive snow piles at our house. He’s worn them every day since. I like that the pattern is bright and recognizable too. We were at a busy children’s museum and his boots were the only way to keep track of where he was. 


Pros:

  • Sturdy, durable, waterproof 
  • Handles for getting on and off easily
  • Beautiful designs and colors
  • Rated for rain and snow up to -40 degrees
  • High quality construction
  • Efficient insulation that’s not bulky

Cons:

  • Cost $110-140 is not cheap for adult boots ($40-80 for toddler/kids)
  • The foot bed insert can pull out if you wear them without socks (I know it’s winter and I should always wear socks but sometimes I just have to run out quickly to my car).
  • Feet can feel cold if you’re stationary in the cold
Overall I’m very impressed. Maybe my sister-in-law was right. Maybe Bogs Footwear IS magic.

Update: I parked in a puddle yesterday and stepped out into 4+ inches of icy cold street water. It completely covered my feet which were luckily in my Bogs. I did not get even a tiny bit cold or wet. Talk about Waterproof.