New Hampshire

What to expect from ice castles and Winter Realms within driving distance of Vermont

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2023

What to expect from ice castles and Winter Realms within driving distance of Vermont

Snow returned to the Burlington area on Nov. 1, and that means it’s now time to start planning winter excursions that book quickly.

For an alternative to skiing, ice castles are a popular day trip for Vermonters, as two are within driving distance of Burlington. This year, however, things will be different for the New York property which is being reimagined to respond to climate impacts and branded “Winter Realms.” The New Hampshire ice structure will still be the “castle” visitors have come to enjoy.

Tickets are on sale now for Lake George’s “Winter Realms.” What to expect this season at it and North Woodstock’s Ice Castle.

Ice Castles and Vermont

The Ice Castles organization crystallized into a business in 2011 after creator, Brent Christensen, found a way to enjoy winter with his kids following a move from sunny California to Utah. He attempted an ice cave and discovered how to use water to grow and shape giant icicles into a structure that could include a cave, tunnels and slides. Early on, he used a wooden substructure to form the ice around but found it tedious to clean up after the melt. He later developed a way to combine ice sections so that when it melted, there would be nothing left to pick up.

Today, Ice Castles has properties in Cripple Creek, Colorado, Maple Grove, Minnesota, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, Lake George, New York, Midway, Utah, and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Visitors can purchase tickets for a time slot to explore caverns, archways, alcoves, tunnels, slides, or sit on an ice throne. The evenings turn colorful as multicolored lights emanate from inside the opaque ice. For an additional amount, visitors can book a private alcove for a small gathering or to provide an interesting setting for a special moment.

Burlington happens to be equidistant between two of the six locations − the New York and New Hampshire sites are each about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive away. The New Hampshire property has been around for at least 10 winters, and this year will be the third season for New York. However, the New York location will not be the traditional “castle” this year.

Climate-proofing winter recreation

Climate change has certainly affected outdoor recreation in Vermont from leaf-peeping, skiing and ice skating to historic flooding that did millions in damages to the 90-mile Lamoille Valley Rail Trail days before its planned grand opening this summer.

For ice attractions, a warming climate thaws the winter recreation market.

“We’re kind of perched on a bubble with the weather and it’s out of our control sometimes,” Ice Castles creator Christensen said.

He said the New York property has been the most challenging climate-wise for the past couple years.

“The problem in New York is we took such a hit on a public relations level because the weather shut us down and we had to refund so many tickets,” he said. “Instead of pulling out of the market…there’s such a great location and there’s so many people that want to get out in the winter and do something winter related.”

He said they have had to drastically change and are pivoting to a “Winter Realms” model at some of its properties, including New York. It will still feature ice and snow but will be less vulnerable to the weather, Christensen said. Ice skating, an ice bar, igloos, snow features and ice walk-through light experiences will make up Winter Realms. Snow-making equipment will also be on hand.

“No matter what the weather’s going to be we’ll be able to produce, remake, refresh and reinsulate all of these attractions with our snow,” he said.

It’s possible the winter realms could outlast some of the ice castles. This season ice castles will be erected at the New Hampshire, Utah and Minnesota locations.

Visiting an Ice Castles property from Vermont? What to consider.

Because the ice castles and winter realms provide a very different experience, Vermonters are well positioned to take advantage of both. Christensen said if you are interested in ice skating and spending time in Lake George where there is lots to do, you may consider a multi-day trip and head there. If you are looking for the castle experience that can be done in a day’s time, North Woodstock may be for you.

Of course, he suggests checking them both out at some point during the season.

Slots usually fill up in advance and quickly, particularly for weekends or school and work holidays.

How to visit Winter Realms in Lake George, NY

Tickets for Winter Realms Lake George went on sale Nov. 1. The season is expected to run November through March, Thursdays through Sundays, from 4 to 10 p.m. Prices range from $14 to $20 per person depending on peak and off-peak times as well as child versus adult rates.

Find out more at winterrealms.com/winter-realms-lake-george/.

How to visit Ice Castles in North Woodstock, NH

Tickets have yet to go on sale for Ice Castles New Hampshire. To keep up with the latest, sign up for their newsletter or follow Ice Castles on social media. During the season the ice castle will be open Tuesdays through Sundays and select Mondays during holidays. Prices range from $15 to $29 per person depending upon peak visitation days (which include weekends and holidays) and adult or child (ages 4 to 11) admission rates.

More information, including signing up for newsletter or finding links to social media can be found at icecastles.com/new-hampshire/.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

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New Hampshire

3.8 magnitude earthquake off York, Maine coastline rattles Seacoast

Published

10 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Press Room

3.8 magnitude earthquake off York, Maine coastline rattles Seacoast

A magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck 10 miles off the coast of York, Maine on Monday.

The earthquake was recorded at 10:22 a.m. on Monday and was about 10 kilometers southeast of York Harbor, according to USGS. It shook at a depth of 13.2 km. There is no tsunami danger from this earthquake.

The earthquake was originally reported as a 4.1 magnitude quake by USGS and then downgraded.

People across New Hampshire reported feeling the earthquake.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) said that New Hampshire 911 did not receive any calls about injury or damage as of 10:45 a.m. They encouraged residents to be prepared for all types of hazards, including earthquakes.

“Include all hazards when you are creating a family emergency plan,” said HSEM Director Robert Buxton. “You should also hold regular drills to practice what to do during an earthquake. It’s the best way to keep you and your family safe.”

Local schools, fire departments react

Staff at Mary C. Dondero Elementary School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire pulled the fire alarm after shaking began and had the entire school briefly evacuate, according to superintendent of schools Zach McLaughlin. No other school in Portsmouth evacuated during the course of the earthquake.

“The reality is, as New Englanders, many of whom have lived here our whole lives, this might be everybody’s first earthquake experience,” McLaughlin said Monday morning. “I think folks did the right thing but once it was clear that we were in good condition, folks returned to the building.”

City school department officials have not found any property damage in any of the school buildings thus far in the wake of the quake, McLaughlin added.

Portsmouth Fire Department Chief Bill McQuillen reported there had been no calls regarding personal injuries or property damage as of approximately 11 a.m. Monday.

The city sent out alerts to residents and automated messages urging any personal injuries or structural damages to be reported to authorities.

“We wanted to try and get out the word as quickly as possible and make sure the city sent out a message as soon as possible,” McQuillen said.

Over the Piscataqua River, calls were made to Kittery, Maine’s fire department but no injuries were reported and no property damage had been found.

“Our dispatch center took a lot of calls from concerned citizens reporting that they think something happened at their property,” Kittery fire Chief Craig Alfis stated. “So far everything has stabilized out and our dispatchers are back to normal operation. We haven’t been out on a call in 15 minutes so fingers crossed we’re past that.”

No calls had been made expressing concern about the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, per Alfis.

“Reports are coming in from various parts of town about noticeable shaking. We are aware of the earthquake and are actively assessing impacts. Please only contact public safety dispatch if you have an emergency,” the town of Kittery advised in an email.

Where was the NH earthquake? How far did it reach?

According to the USGS, Monday morning’s earthquake originated off the southeast coast of York Harbor, Maine.

York Harbor is about 10 miles north of the New Hampshire border.

Light shaking from the earthquake was felt as far south as Cape Cod, according to the USGS, though some people in Rhode Island also reported feeling the earthquake.

How strong was the NH earthquake?

Monday’s earthquake is being measured at 3.8 on the magnitude scale, according to the USGS.

According to Michigan Tech, earthquake magnitudes between 2.5-5.4 are often felt but typically only cause minor damage. Earthquake magnitudes measured at 7.0 and higher are considered major earthquakes.

How common are earthquakes in NH?

New Hampshire has a moderate earthquake risk based on its position in the North American plate: according to a 2019 fact sheet from the NH Department of Environmental Services, there have been 65 earthquakes above magnitude 2.1 since 1638.

New Hampshire’s earthquake risk rating is based on frequency rather than intensity.

What was the biggest earthquake in NH history?

While earthquakes in New Hampshire tend to be smaller, there have been similar magnitude earthquakes in the past, such as a 4.0 magnitude quake in Southern Maine in 2012 and another near Laconia in 1982.

The strongest earthquakes with an epicenter in New Hampshire in state history happened four days apart in December of 1940. Each had a magnitude of 5.8.

This story will be updated.

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New Hampshire

Looking Back: The Indian Stream commissioners conclude that New Hampshire can rule the territory

Published

21 hours ago

January 27, 2025

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Looking Back: The Indian Stream commissioners conclude that New Hampshire can rule the territory

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New Hampshire

Two Snow Systems Heading To New Hampshire This Week: Forecasters

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

Two Snow Systems Heading To New Hampshire This Week: Forecasters

CONCORD, NH — Weather forecasters are predicting two snowstorm systems will move into the region, but they are not expecting significant accumulation.

On Sunday morning, the National Weather Service issued a “hazardous weather outlook” for the state, warning that snowstorms were expected on Tuesday and Wednesday. The first storm will bring “heavy snow showers or snow squalls” with the passing cold front.

“In addition,” the alert said, “westerly wind gusts between 35-45 mph are possible.”

No snow accumulation for Tuesday was posted in the alert.

AccuWeather.com, however, said the Tuesday system had a 63 percent of delivering “a coasting to an inch” to Concord and the capital region sometime between 4 and 10 a.m. In Nashua and southern New Hampshire, including Salem and inland Rockingham County, there is an 81 percent chance of “little to no accumulation.” No snow is expected on the Seacoast.

For Wednesday, NWS forecasters said, “There is the potential for a light to moderate snowfall on Wednesday from a clipper system.” Snow accumulation amounts were published.

On Monday, expect mostly cloudy skies, highs in the mid-30s, and lows in the mid-20s, with wind gusts up to 30 mph.

On Tuesday, snow is expected before the afternoon, and then the sun reappears. Temps will be in the upper 20s and into the teens at night. Wind gusts could be as high as 35 mph.

Snow is expected in the early and late morning on Wednesday, with highs near 30 and overnight lows in the single digits.

As a cold front moves into the state on Thursday, temps will drop into the teens during the day and near zero during the evening.

Similar weather is expected on Friday.

The most up-to-date weather is available on every Patch.com site in the United States. This includes the 14 New Hampshire Patch news and community websites for Amherst, Bedford, Concord, Exeter, Hampton, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Salem, Windham, and Across NH. Patch posts local weather reports for New Hampshire every Sunday and Wednesday and publishes alerts as needed.

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