It only makes sense that the land of 10,000 lakes (and the land of ice and snow) be home to the biggest ice maze in the United States. While there's no formal record for such a thing, the organizers of a huge ice maze in Minnesota are laying claim to the title.

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the Zephyr Theatre (and other businesses & organizations) in Stillwater is constructing what they're calling the "Ice Palace Maze" in the Zephyr parking lot in Downtown Stillwater, set to open later this month. The maze is being constructed of 1,500 blocks of ice, forming a 114-foot by 72-foot outdoor maze that features a half mile of passageways. All of this is surrounded by an 8-foot perimeter ice wall.

If all of that wasn't enough, they're also offering a 36-foot ice slide for kids of all ages 'who conquer the maze', as their website states. This ice slide is one of a handful of features that mimics the Ice Castles that once called Stillwater home. Those Ice Castles have moved around the Twin Cities over the years, but the organizers that constructed and operated the castles cut back on locations during the pandemic, eliminating a Minnesota location.

Enter the Zephyr's Ice Maze to fill the void.

Hot chocolate and s'mores as well as costumed ice characters will be in and around the maze, and the adults might be excited to hear that an ice bar will be on-site to provide cocktails as well.

In order to keep visitors safe during the pandemic, the number of people in the maze at any given time is being limited to 100 people. Parking is free, but there is a cost for admission. Kids 4 and under as well as "kids over 100" are free, children ages 5-12 are $10 each, and those ages 13-100 are $15 per person. Walk-up tickets will be available at the gate depending on availability. That said, you may want to consider getting them in advance online. The Zephyr's website offers the option to buy tickets online. You simply select which day and time you'd like to go, and make your purchase. You buy your tickets based on 1-hour visiting times.

The Ice Maze is set to open Friday, January 22, and is expected to remain open until at least February 28, as long as the weather permits. The attraction won't be open on Mondays, but it will be open Tuesdays-Fridays from 5 pm to 10 pm and Saturdays-Sundays from noon to 10 pm.

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