Ice castles

After we went snow tubing we had lunch and then went to the Ice Castles that were next door.  It was really quite amazing.  They build these castles using running water and cold weather.  It was still snowing when we went and since it was a holiday it was pretty crowded.  There are a lot of trails and walkways to explore along with a wide open space in the middle.  

Looking up as we entered.

Even though they don't look like it, the kids were excited to go.

This is the path to get into the main area.

There was even a water fountain inside.  It blends in with the ice, but it is right behind the kids.

There were some areas that were quite low.

This worker was using a chain saw to make another path in the ice.

These are some of the water spouts that run water at night when it is cold to create the icicles.

The walls were very thick in some spots.

Grant trying to catch snowflakes in his mouth.

Grandma with the kids.

Grandpa with the kids.

On the way out, Mom and Dad with Mateo.

A winter trip Utah - snow tubing

One of the things we planned in advance to do was to go snow inner tubing at Soldier Hollow near Midway.  We bought tickets in advance for a two hour window.  We picked this location because they provide the tubes and they pull you up the hill.  We purchased some snow gear ahead of time and borrowed other pieces to get everyone outfitted.  To say the kids were excited about this was an understatement.  It snowed the whole time we were there but that didn't stop the fun.  It did, however, get us quite wet by the end of the session. Here is our "before" picture.

Even though it may look cold it wasn't that bad. 

Another before shot.  

They make you pick time slots so that it doesn't get too crowded, however, it was pretty busy since it was a holiday.  So we all picked tubes and waited in line.

We thought that Grant and Mateo could ride with an adult, but everyone has to ride up and down the hill by themselves.  You sit in the tube and then they connect it to the tow rope.

Grant got on the tube in front of me and was nervous at first but was fine.  It is a bit challenging to get off of the tube really quick at the end.

After you get to the top of the hill, you have to pull your tube over to one of three hills.  They were all about the same.  They actually encourage you to link your tubes together so that you are heavier and go faster and farther down the hill.  We found this was especially important for the little kids otherwise they had to walk quite a bit at the end

There were two tow ropes of tubes. 

At some point all of the kids got ahead of us and were going down the hills by themselves.  They were not steep, so we weren't worried.

Waiting in line.

Riding up the hill.

Here is Andrew organizing the kids so that they will link up and slide down together.

After a run.

My dad took this picture of us coming down the mountain.

Gather everyone up and do it all again!

Everyone pulled their own tubes back to the start.

Our "after" picture. We originally thought that the two hour window would be too short, but it was just enough time.  We were all pretty beat and hungry.  

The snow was so pretty on all of the Aspen trees.  Next up was lunch and then another adventure.