The Ice Palace

Chena Hot Springs was absolutely amazing. The hot springs were of course very relaxing and pretty, but perhaps the greatest thing about this place was this crazy Ice Palace. The resort had all kinds of things you could do besides soaking in the hot springs, including horseback riding, hiking, dog sled tours, and tours of this Ice Palace. We couldn't pass up this weirdness. We took tons of pictures because it was truly a sight to behold. Here is the outside:

Doesn't look like much from the outside, right? Well, just you wait. After getting suited up in heavy duty parkas, we embarked on our 30 minute tour. The place stays 20 degrees year round, hence the parkas. Here is a picture of the workshop at the front of the palace. This is where the husband and wife team maintain current ice sculptures and create new ones. The husband of the team has been the Ice Sculpting World Champion 12 times, and together they one two championships. He actually invented some of his own tools for sculpting, which are used worldwide today.  You'll understand why they win all the time when you look at all these pictures.
This is difficult to fathom, I realize- but this is a picture of an etched ice globe with another ice globe inside of it. Keep in mind, everything you are about to see is ice- all of it!!!
Here is the main large ice sculpture- two life-sized knights on horses jousting. The sculpture, like the rest of the palace, is lit up by LED lights which are removed every night to preserve the sculptures.
Here is a look at the layout from the front part of the palace, In the left corner there are some small pillars- this is the "chapel" where people get married. Also, the chandeliers on the ceiling? Yup, you guessed it- made of ice.Stay tuned for more...