A Santa sculpture at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
An ice sculpture at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Sculptures at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Ice sculpture singers at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
An ice slide at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
A peace dove at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
The North Pole ice sculpture at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Toy ice sculptures at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
An ornament sculpture at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Horses made out of ice at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
((Courtesy Shannon Finney)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney
An sculpture at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Santa at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
A gingerbread decorating house at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
An ice character at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Toy ice sculptures at the ICE display at National Harbor in D.C. on Nov. 18, 2016. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
WASHINGTON — Ready for a chilly adventure in a frozen world?
The annual holiday ice sculptures and slides are back at Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor.
The attraction is called ICE! and this year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World.”
“We actually bring in more than two million pounds of ice and they all come in block form. They come pre-dyed, but we also have white and clear ice,” said the resort’s Rachel Dinbokowitz as she led a tour.
The ice blocks weigh 300 to 400 pounds each.
“We’re very excited because this is one of the most vibrant and beautiful attractions that we’ve had here. We have 12 different colors.”
About 35 artisans from Harbin, China — famous for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival — came to Maryland this year to complete the incredibly intricate sculptures.
Room after room of displays are kept at a constant 9 degrees, and visitors can borrow big blue parkas to wear for warmth as they walk through.
One room shows off Christmas traditions from countries including Ethiopia, Germany and Mexico.
Another looks like Santa’s workshop, and in the Frostbite Factory you can watch an ice sculptor at work.
Don’t forget to bring your camera, because Dinbokowitz said there are more opportunities this year to get close to the sculptures.
For instance, there’s a frozen replica of Santa’s sleigh that you can sit in.
Every year, one room features a nativity scene. “It’s all crystal clear ice; it looks like diamonds. It’s absolutely spectacular,” Dinbokowitz said.
The most popular part of the attraction is always the ice slides. There are five of them, they are two stories tall, and there’s no need for a sled: Because your borrowed blue parka covers your rear end, you can simply sit down and slide.
ICE! is open daily through Jan. 1, except for Dec. 5-7.
Ticket prices start at $21 for kids age 4-11, and $29 for adults age 12 and older.
There are discounts for groups as well as for military families, and children age 3 and under are admitted free.
