WASHINGTON – The upcoming forecast includes towering stacks of glittering ice and temperatures of 9 degrees at National Harbor.
That’s what you’ll find inside a special tent opening to the public next week outside Gaylord National Resort.
It’s the newest version of “ICE!” — an interactive ice sculpture attraction that’s become a popular holiday tradition.
Right now, master ice carvers from China are in the process of carving, drilling and chiseling away at more than 2 million pounds of ice to get it ready for visitors.
This year, the giant ice slides and nativity scene are back, but there’s a new theme based on the poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
There’s also a bonus scene that recreates Christmas in New York City, complete with the Statue of Liberty, skyscrapers, a “Big Apple” and a taxi made from ice that you can sit inside.
“It has some of the tallest ice sculptures we’ve ever done in the history of ‘ICE!’ The tallest ice sculpture is more than 22 feet tall,” said Rachel Dinbokowitz with Gaylord National. She gave WTOP a behind-the-scenes tour.
Another change to “ICE!” is its new location.
“It’s actually on the waterfront of the hotel in front of the atrium, so you’ll have to come and access the tent through the hotel. And you’ll get to see all of our Christmas decorations,” Dinbokowitz said.
Visitors should park in the hotel’s self-parking lot or in one of the nearby garages, enter Gaylord National and head to the box office on the lower atrium level to pick up their timed tickets.
“ICE!” opens to the public Nov. 15, 2013 and will be open daily through Jan. 5, 2014.
Ticket prices start at $19 for children ages 3 to 11, and $27 for adults age 12 and up. Children age 2 and younger get in free.
Right now, Living Social is offering half-price tickets to “ICE!” for certain dates, for a limited time.
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