That’s how much ice was used to build the popular Ice Castles attraction in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Learn why it opened early this year, and what you can do if you visit, here.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, N.H. (AP) — An annual architectural celebration of ice is up and running again in New Hampshire and several other states.

New Hampshire’s Ice Castles will open on Friday, one of the earliest opening dates in the attraction’s history, according to the company. The enormous, frozen attraction, which is located annually in North Woodstock,

The Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, are set to open this weekend, inviting visitors to enter a world of frosty enchantment.

We like to think of an ice castle as a big, living, breathing organism within which a magical world exists. But that survival is totally dependent on the weather,” said Jared

New “Ice Castles” are springing up across the U.S., bringing smiles to residents and delighting tourists visiting to see the attractions. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Ice Castles opened on Jan. 20 last year. In 2023, a mild winter forced the attraction to have its latest opening ever on Jan. 27. Standifird says visitors can expect a new castle design this year, as well as nearly double the typical amount of lights on the quarter-mile "Mystic Forest Light Walk"

The castles will be open for the 2025 season from Jan. 25 through Feb. 23 on every Friday-Sunday and select weekdays. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturdays and select peak days, 11 a.m.to 8 p.m. on Sundays and 3 to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays. New Hampshire's ice castles are located at 24 Clark Farm Rd. in North Woodstock.