Just beyond our lobby lies a magical kingdom made of ice and snow. The Ice Kingdom Whistler is a winter wonderland filled with sculptures, interactive features and so much more. Covering over 40,000 square feet, this seasonal experience is new to Whistler and one not to be missed. The Ice Kingdom concept is the result of a master ice carvers imagination. His name is David Xu Rui and he wanted to celebrate a 300-year-old Chinese tradition of friends and family gathering to create sculptures out of snow and ice. The tradition has come to life and is now an exciting seasonal activity to be enjoyed by all who pass through its icy gates.
The moment you walk in, you are greeted by one of the 50 different attractions waiting to be explored.
The weather can chilly and you will be spending your Ice Kingdom experience outdoors. Make sure to dress for the elements by wearing the appropriate winter coats, gloves, hats, and boots.
Breeze through in 30 minutes or spend the whole afternoon. In addition to looking at the beautiful artwork created by a team of carvers, revelers can play on a giant icy slide or get lost in a maze.
Adults and children alike will love to race down the massive slide! Last one down is a penguin!
Taking over a month to create, the sculptures are some of the largest that Whistler has ever seen. Take your time and stop for a bite to eat. Hand-picked food vendors sell a variety of options and there is hot chocolate served from a bar made of ice. There is also alcohol served in the Whistler Golf Clubhouse.
Ice sculptors use razor-sharp chisels and hand saws that are specifically designed for cutting ice. The works of art can last as long as two months but do require regular touch-ups made by the skillful artists.
If you are lucky enough to catch one of the members of master carver David Xu Rui’s team, stop and watch. It is mesmerizing to see one of the sculptures come to life.
The Ice Kingdom is an exciting addition to things to do in Whistler and located right across the street from Listel Hotel. This seasonal event is only around as long as temperatures stay low so don’t miss out!