32 Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences to Add to Your Bucket List

10. Witness the Majestic Ice Castles of Canada

Each winter, in the heart of Alberta, Canada, a magical frozen kingdom rises from the snow—an entire village sculpted from ice and lit from within by dazzling lights. The Ice Castles of Canada are an annual spectacle, hand-built using tens of thousands of icicles, carefully crafted into towering archways, crystalline tunnels, frozen slides, and shimmering ice sculptures. By day, these frosty fortresses glisten in the winter sunlight, their frozen spires resembling something straight out of a fantasy movie. By night, they are illuminated in shades of blue, purple, and pink, turning the entire landscape into a mesmerizing winter wonderland. Visitors can explore secret passageways, crawl through ice tunnels, and slide down frozen chutes, making it an interactive adventure for all ages. For the ultimate experience, visit during a snowfall, when fresh flakes add to the enchanted atmosphere. Or, for a romantic twist, stroll through the ice-lit courtyards hand in hand, warmed by the glow of fire pits and twinkling fairy lights. This temporary ice kingdom is built anew each year, so no two visits are ever the same. But one thing is guaranteed—it’s an unforgettable winter experience that will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into Disney’s Frozen. Best Time to Go: December to February, when the ice castles are fully built.