It may be easy to feel bitter towards the cold winter weather, but there’s certainly no denying the magical charm that comes along with this frigid season. Now that the spirit of the holidays has officially begun to wind down as we really kick off the new year, you may be wondering what exciting activities are out there to hold you over until spring’s arrival. Up for all to see during an epic 10-day carnival, there’s an ice palace right here in the Adirondacks that you won’t want to miss out on seeing this winter.
Right in one of our favorite small towns – Saranac Lake, keep reading to find out why you’ll want to add visiting this one-of-a-kind castle to your calendar!
On display for all to see between the shore of Lake Flower and Saranac Lake’s River Street, construction has finally begun on the small town’s annual ice palace.
Saranac Lake ADK/Facebook
Every year the ice palace has a different theme, with Space Aliens, Groovy 60s, Superheroes & Villains and Adirondack Wildlife being some of the one’s that we’ve had in the past.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook
This year for the 2018 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, the ice palace’s theme is Adirondack Festival!
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook
So, how does this ice palace come to be every year? The first step is for our hard-working locals to harvest the ice out of Lake Flower.
Saranac Lake ADK/Facebook
With each icy structure being different from the last, slowly but surely as you drive along River Street you’ll begin to see the castle come together.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook
This year the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival will run from February 2nd through the 11th, giving you 10-days full of opportunities to see this year’s amazing ice palace for yourself.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook
Usually made up of maze-like hallways and different rooms, you’ll love walking through this ice palace that will make you feel like you’re a relative of Queen Elsa from Frozen.
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State
As you walk through these tunnels of ice, you’ll realize that this palace is everything that you ever dreamed as a little kid each time it snowed outside.
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State
But the palace isn’t the only extraordinary ice creation that you’ll see, you can almost always find chairs of ice waiting for you along the waterfront!
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook
With the carnival comes tons of fun activities like the Arctic Golf Build-An-Obstacle Contest on Saturday February 3rd, where people can create mini-golf obstacles out of snow to try and win a prize.
Saranac Lake ADK/Facebook
Over the course of the 10-day long carnival, there will also be events like bake and craft sales, a chocolate festival, bar-b-que, books and brew, movie screenings, pancake breakfasts’ and cookie decorating contests.
Saranac Lake ADK/Facebook
And of course it wouldn’t be the carnival without outdoor activities like snowshoe softball, snowshoe races, skating races, hockey games, innertube races and yes… even fry pan tosses!
Saranac Lake ADK/Facebook
Filled with lights, the ice palace beautifully glows at night and is a unique late-night road trip destination that’s worth checking out.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook
One thing you won’t want to forget? On both Saturday February 3rd and Sunday February 11th (the last day), you’ll be able to view an unforgettable fireworks display that takes place right at the ice palace.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook
Who’s ready to experience all that the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival has to offer this year?
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook An exciting part of the town’s history, this winter carnival is the longest-running event of its kind in the Eastern United States! Something we look forward to every February, the carnival has long been a favorite way to break up the gap between the holidays and spring time.
To find out more information and to view the full 10-day winter carnival schedule, click here.
Do you plan on heading to the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival at all this year? If you’ve been to this carnival in the past, be sure to share your pictures and memories with us in our comments!
Saranac Lake ADK/Facebook
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival/Facebook
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State
An exciting part of the town’s history, this winter carnival is the longest-running event of its kind in the Eastern United States! Something we look forward to every February, the carnival has long been a favorite way to break up the gap between the holidays and spring time.
To find out more information and to view the full 10-day winter carnival schedule, click here.
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