Opal’s Coolest Attraction: Inside The Annual Glacier Ice Bars
Simply a swan sculpture it is not. The Glacier Ice Bars that descend upon The Sagamore Resort and Samoset Resort each January are Instagram eye-candy extravaganzas entirely made out of ice.
If you’re visiting The Sagamore Resort or Samoset Resort in January, there’s a quintessential wintertime tradition you just can’t miss: the resorts’ annual glacier ice bar. Sculpted out of 50,000 pounds of ice (yes, you read that right), the ice bars have been a massive draw since 2014. “Everything is made out of ice: the bar, the barstools, the sofas, the chairs, the tables, glasses that you can actually drink out of, even the logos for sponsors, who we couldn’t do it without – all made out of ice,” says Scott Luper, regional director of food and beverage at Ocean Properties.
Set on the patios outside the restaurant lounges, these icy presentations premiere every January for two weekends, drawing tourists and locals alike to sip on the coldest cocktails around in one of the most unique settings. So what does it take to pull such a display off?
HOW OPAL BUILDS ITS GLACIER ICE BARS
It all starts with 150 300-pound blocks of ice and a 10-person sculpting team led by Executive Chef Chris Merriam. The sculpting team includes directors of food and beverage, executive chefs, and members of other resort culinary teams. The hulking 300-pound blocks are unloaded with hand trucks and lugged around before the carving commences. Chainsaws, ice chisels, and hot aluminum pieces chip away and shape the blocks.
Then, for lack of a better word, they’re glued together. “When the ice freezes together, you go ahead and outline what you’re going to do, and you start detailing them,” says Chef Merriam. “It’s not easy work. We’ve had to scramble a couple times when we had warm Januarys and things melted and we had to rebuild.”
ANNUAL INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS
Interactive pieces – like the signature polar bear family, where guests can throw an arm around momma and her cubs for photo opportunities – are always the biggest hits. You can also expect other beloved characters like arctic wolves, abominable snowmen, seals, and sled dogs peppered around the space amid ice-carved cocktail tables and lounge seating. And of course, expect the ice luges that are on either end of the bar. At Samoset Resort, you can get a shot poured into a special ice luge glass!
THE 2025 GLACIER ICE BAR EXPERIENCES
The Dates and Tickets
The Glacier Ice Bars are open for two weekends at both resorts:
- The Sagamore Resort: January 24–25, 31 & February 1, 2025: Set on La Bella Vita’s terrace, the icy display overlooks Lake George and the 1883 historic resort’s sprawling grounds. In addition to ice luges anchoring each end of the signature ice bar, ice sculptures, and seating draped in faux fur blankets, there’s also a series of heated private igloos for warming up in between time spent at the bar. The handcrafted cocktails run the range from warm, boozy coffee beverages to festive cranberry, vodka, and champagne creations. Guests can book a stay during the above dates to enjoy free entry to the ice bar, non-hotel guests must purchase tickets.
- Samoset Resort: January 17–19 & 24–25, 2025: Samoset Resort’s ice bar scene is set seaside, overlooking Penobscot Bay and the property’s 230 acres. Expect a creative menu of both hot and cold hand-crafted cocktails, beer, and even mocktails. And, of course, there are the signature ice luges, funneling elaborately-crafted shots into special glassware. Warm up with light bites – like chili and New England clam chowder – or gather around one of the fire pits to toast marshmallows. Guests can book a stay to enjoy free entry to the ice bar, non-hotel guests must purchase tickets.
