An Incredible Midwest Ice Palace Will Open This Weekend [PHOTOS]

Snow and ice aren't always a bad thing!

Just outside of Minneapolis is the town of Delano, Minnesota. Delano may be small, but they have something BIG on the way! A talented team has transformed 90,000 square-feet of ice into an amazing ice palace!

The Minnesota Ice Palace is a huge display made up of beautiful ice formations, colorful lights, hundreds of feet of ice tunnels, and kiddie sledding hills. The palace also offers fire pits, local food vendors, live fire performances, and visits with winter characters. They even have a VIP experience that allows your group to spend time in a private Nordic yurt with refreshments, and get a behind the scenes tour from one of the builders!

The Minnesota Ice Palace is located in a new spot this year. Last year it was held at Fountain Hill Winery & Vineyard, but they have moved it to Delano's Central Park. It's one of two Ice Palace locations, with the original located in Rigby, Idaho. Both of them were started by Jim and Shannon Youngstrom. According to the official website:

"Jim & Shannon Youngstrom, their 6 kids and now their children’s spouses are all involved in making the Ice Palace every year! Jim’s great grandmother traveled from Norway to move to the United States. He remembers her telling stories of her life. The Youngstrom name came from Sweden and we are proud to continue the Scandinavian heritage here in the States!"

The Ice Palace typically begins welcoming visitors in the month of December, but warmer-than-average weather postponed the opening to January this year. In fact, opening day is coming up this Sunday, January 21st!

If you want to visit The Ice Palace, the hours will be Saturday & Sunday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday & Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closing day is scheduled for Sunday, February 25th. You can purchase tickets online HERE.