Stunning Silverthorne Ice Castle Lights up the Night in Colorado

While most people go to Colorado in the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/big-architects-design-luxurious-ski-resort-you-can-ski-over/" target="_blank">winter for its epic skiing</a>, Brent Christensen makes the trip to create his incredible ice castle installations. Utilizing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nicole-dextras-giant-words-made-of-ice-depict-the-folly-of-environmental-destruction/" target="_blank">ice</a>, water, and the region's cold temperatures, the artist has created Silverthorne Ice Castle - a massive ice fortress complete with soaring towers. The glittering structure is embedded with lights, creating a heavenly glow for visitors to enjoy at night.

As soon as the Colorado winter hit, Christensen began <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ice-architecture-6-incredible-buildings-made-from-ice-and-snow/" target="_blank">making icicles</a> - around 4,000 to 8,000 daily! By building up the icicles, the artist made the castles’ ornate ten foot walls and stunning 40 foot towers.  

Over three million gallons of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/winter-garden-lets-winnipeggers-skate-through-an-artificial-tree-grove-on-a-frozen-river/" target="_blank">water and melted snow</a> were funneled and pumped through an on-site system similar to a sprinkler to create the ice structure.

As the water spouts out of the PVC sprinkler heads, it freezes into smooth, fan-like pieces.

The fan pieces are the basis of the icicles <a href="http://inhabitat.com/top-8-amazing-eco-winter-wonderland-resorts-around-the-world/" target="_blank">used in construction</a>.

Larger columns are made by hanging the PVC pipes higher and pumping a higher volume of water through to freeze.

Christensen has embedded 200 compact fluorescent bulbs into the building to create an ethereal experience. When illuminated, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/atlantas-botanical-garden-is-a-glowing-winter-wonderland-with-recyclable-led-topiary/" target="_blank">they cast 350,000 lumens of light</a> in misty blues and greens, which make the castle glitter with light.

Visitors are welcome to wander the icy labyrinth by day or by night. The<a href="http://inhabitat.com/fantastic-norways-mountain-hill-cabin-is-part-ski-slope-part-winter-retreat/" target="_blank"> ice walkways </a>are maintained daily - they're cleared and leveled so that guests can safely explore the installation.

As the season passes, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/quebecs-hotel-de-glace-is-a-sculpted-winter-wonderland-escape-made-of-ice-and-snow/" target="_blank">Ice Castle</a> at Silverthorne changes, melts, and grows, making it a site to witness again and again.