Traditional ice castle returns to Eagle River

For the first time in four years, the Eagle River Ice Castle has returned to the community for thousands to view the next two months.
The Eagle River Fire Department and dozens of volunteers constructed the traditional ice castle last Thursday through Sunday, first cutting blocks of ice from Silver Lake and then constructing the castle at the historic railroad depot near downtown Eagle River.
Eagle River Fire Chief Michael Anderson said the ice castle is a winter tradition in the city and has become an annual tourist attraction. The first ice castle was constructed in Eagle River in the late 1920s.
“It is good to build it again this year, as we missed two years since the last one was constructed,” said Anderson. “Before that one we had missed three years. So it is only the second one in five years.”
The ice castle, which rises nearly 30 feet above ground level, features 2,000 blocks of ice, each weighing about 90 pounds.
The 13-inch thick ice was cut with a special machine last week on Silver Lake, just a mile from downtown Eagle River. Firefighters and volunteers then moved the ice via a conveyor from the icy lake to waiting pickup trucks. The ice was hauled to the depot parking lot where more volunteers used a special shaver to trim the ice blocks to 13 inches.
“We were pretty lucky this year as most of the ice came out of Silver Lake between 13 and 13 1/2 inches, so there wasn’t much shaving to do,” said Anderson. “And an added bonus is the ice is really clear this year.”
Crews began erecting the ice castle early Friday morning, using power hoists and scaffolding to aid in reaching the high points of the three towers. Water is poured over the blocks of ice to freeze them in place and colored lights are installed inside the castle to illuminate the unique structure at night.
“Building the ice castle is a great community project and it builds a lot of camaraderie within the department,” said Anderson, noting the castle was completed in just four days and finished Sunday afternoon.
Over the years, the ice castle has become a winter tourism masterpiece in Eagle River, being photographed by thousands of travelers, snowmobilers and visitors to the area for the World Championship Snowmobile Derby and Pond Hockey National Championships. Depending on the weather and temperatures, the castle usually lasts until late February, when warmer sun rays result in the weakening of the joints between the blocks of ice and it is brought down for public safety.
In the meantime, the ice castle located just south of the Eagle River bridge on the east side of Highway 45, will be viewed and photographed by thousands of North Woods visitors.
That’s a good thing, according to Anderson, who noted it has been a second straight non-snow year for the area.
“Anything we can do for the community is good at this point,” said Anderson.