NEW BRIGHTON, Minn. — Construction on one of Minnesota's chilliest winter traditions is officially underway.
Ice artists have started growing, harvesting and hand-placing icicles to build the Ice Castles at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton.
It's the eighth year the Ice Castles will tower above Minnesotans looking to go walking in a literal winter wonderland.
The Ice Castles typically open in early to mid-January, depending on the weather, but thanks to the frigid low temps, construction is underway early for the 2023 season.
And building a freezing fortress is no easy feat. Each day the ice artists will grow up to 10,000 icicles, which are then fused together and sprayed with more water over and over and over again until the castle is about 20 feet tall.
As if that wasn't enough, the artists will build ice slides, carved sculptures and a new-this-year Polar Pub within the wintry walls.
Ice Castle organizers haven't announced an official grand opening date yet, but tickets are on sale now. The first date tickets are available is Saturday, Jan. 14. With the head start on construction, they hope to open in late December or early January.
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