It’s Not the Holidays Without Gaylord Rockies Resort

This installation of Travel Westword is presented by Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. Prefer a video experience? Watch our Instagram Reel.

Chances are you’ve seen Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on TV — either the original cartoon or the infamous live-action version, with Jim Carrey portraying the grumpy green villain who sets out to destroy Christmas for the Whos. But you’ve never seen it like this.

At Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, you can see the Grinch story re-created entirely in ice sculptures — and ICE! is just one of a flurry of holiday things to do at the resort this year. From ice tubing and gingerbread decorating to exploring the streets of Mistletoe Village, Gaylord Rockies makes it easy to get in the holiday spirit.

Whether you’re staying a few nights or just there for the day, a visit to Gaylord Rockies is a must-do this holiday season. After spending a day experiencing everything the resort has going on this year, I put together the ideal itinerary. 

Start Your Day With ICE!

If there’s one thing you can’t miss at Gaylord Rockies, it’s ICE!, featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. For the past few months, ice sculptors from Harbin, China, have worked tirelessly to carve special moments of the Christmas classic out of ice. The attraction is inspired by the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, which displays massive ice sculptures from December to February.

YuQi Sun, one of the Harbin carvers who worked on ICE!, has fifteen years of ice-carving experience, and he’s worked on ICE! for nine of those. “I spend about seven to eight hours per day [carving],” Sun tells Westword. “I’m very proud of our team.”

For ICE! at Gaylord Rockies, the careful design and conception of each sculpture ensures that the characters’ features are accurate and true to the original characters. The exhibit spans 20,000 square feet and comprises more than 6,000 ice blocks, some enhanced with vibrant colors and lights. The temperature is kept at nine degrees Fahrenheit, but don’t worry: You’ll be given a warm coat for your walk through the attraction.

When you step inside, you’re immediately greeted by gorgeously sculpted green trees and a big, icy igloo where you can visit the Grinch. You’ll then be transported to Whoville, where the Whos are riding trains, wrapping presents and getting ready for a Christmas that’s about to be stolen.

As you walk through the frozen display, you’ll see the Grinch and his dog, Max, getting their sleigh ready to head into Whoville; the Grinch inside a house as little ones sleep; and, in the final scene, the Grinch (his heart having grown) cutting the roast beast himself after returning all the presents and food to the Whos. 

Near the end of the exhibit, you’ll find five LED-lit ice slides that you can ride down. And, as if that weren’t enough of a perfect final showstopper, you can also watch a live ice-carving demonstration as you make your way out. 

Explore Mistletoe Village and the Yuletide Street Market

Just beyond the ICE! exhibit is the Yuletide Street Market, an extravaganza of eating, drinking, shopping and activities. Browse the array of Christmas trees decorated with ornaments and trinkets, along with holiday pajamas, stuffed animals, small gifts and ICE! merchandise to commemorate your visit. There’s also a Build-A-Bear Workshop, a Cinnabon and an Auntie Anne’s at the market. With endless knickknacks, treats, souvenirs and decorations to ooh and aah over, you’ll feel like you’re perusing the bustling streets of the North Pole. 

After shopping at the street market, stop by Mistletoe Village and the Gingerbread Decorating Corner, where you can decorate gingerbread men or a pre-built gingerbread house. Afterward, be sure to grab a photo with Nutmeg, a life-sized gingerbread man beloved by the resort’s youngest visitors. 

You can also make Christmas gifts at Mistletoe Village’s Elf Training Academy, join Mrs. Claus for a cozy reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and take photos with Santa. There’s so much to see at both the street market and the village, so be sure to allow ample time to explore all that they have to offer.

Chill and Play at Sugar Snow Station

There are two pop-up bars offering refreshments at the resort: the Sugar N’ Spice Bar and the Tree Farm Bar. The Sugar N’ Spice Bar is located right inside Sugar Snow Station, where you’ll also find Candy Cane Mountain Indoor Snow Tubing and the Gumdrop Gliders Ice Puck Challenge.

Relax with some hot chocolate from the bar before grabbing a tube for the Candy Cane Mountain Indoor Snow Tubing. While it’s a short ride from top to bottom, it’s fast and exhilarating, and you could spend a good hour sliding down over and over again. You have unlimited rides for the date of your ticket purchase, so it’s a fun activity to keep coming back to.

Next, head over to the Gumdrop Gliders Ice Puck Challenge, where you’ll encounter seven challenging courses as you slide your puck down the ice, scoring points and dodging obstacles.

After my day full of activities, I was ready to relax and take in the gorgeous Gaylord Rockies holiday decor. The resort is completely decked out for the season, and the lobby offers a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains, but enhanced with Christmas lights, wreaths and trees. While I was admiring my surroundings, I checked out the Gingerbread Mountain Cabin in the main lobby, a life-sized gingerbread house comprising more than 1,400 pounds of gingerbread, icing and candy. The house stands over eight feet tall and comes complete with a a chimney, a Christmas tree, and a pair of skis out front.

If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate the holidays, add a trip to Gaylord Rockies Resort to your calendar before the season ends.