Crafted entirely from gingerbread, icing, and candy, the life-sized cabin features more than 2,000 pounds of ingredients, including:

• 450 pounds of gingerbread dough
• 172 pounds of flour
• 108 pounds of molasses
• 100 pounds of powdered sugar and 65 pounds of granulated sugar
• 1,000 gumballs (stretching nearly half a football field)
• Over 50 pounds of ground coconut flakes for snow

The display includes sugar-sculpted poinsettias and holly, sugar and gingerbread lanterns, a cookie wreath, and skis—a nod to Executive Pastry Chef Brielle Fratellone, head of 5280 Pastry. The project began in July 2025 with concept design, moved into engineering and construction in September, and transitioned to gingerbread baking on Oct. 1.

“This gingerbread mountain cabin is the result of months of hard work and creativity from both the pastry and engineering teams,” said Fratellone. “Our pastry cooks truly enjoyed baking and decorating this edible artwork. I hope coming to see the Gingerbread Mountain Cabin becomes a yearly tradition for guests at Gaylord Rockies.”

More than 25 pastry cooks contributed to the project, which spanned 4.5 months from concept to completion, including six weeks of dough production and a three-day final assembly. The team even created spreadsheets to track thousands of cookies, including the 425 gingerbread shingles adorning the roof.

Guests can experience the cabin up-close—and smell it from across the lobby. “We keep the spices in the dough to ensure the house fills the air with a warm gingerbread aroma,” Fratellone added.

The Gingerbread Mountain Cabin will remain on display through Jan. 1, 2026, marking the resort’s second major gingerbread installation, joining the gingerbread city window display in Mistletoe Village. Each pastry cook creates their own gingerbread house or building within the window display, offering a unique showcase of team talent.

More Culinary Experiences at Gaylord Rockies Resort

The gingerbread masterpiece is part of the larger Christmas at Gaylord Rockies celebration, featuring beloved and new seasonal dining experiences:

• NEW: Feast with the Grinch – A spirited dining experience hosted by everyone’s favorite green and grouchy character, complete with appearances from Max and plenty of Who-ville whimsy.
• Resort Dining – Holiday menus, themed cocktails, Auntie Anne’s pretzels, and Cinnabon favorites.

Gingerbread Decorating Corner – Guests can personalize their own gingerbread cookies made fresh by the Gaylord Rockies pastry team, and meet Nutmeg, the resort’s jolly gingerbread man.

The dining experiences complement ICE!, Gaylord Hotels’ signature holiday attraction, along with Candy Cane Mountain Indoor Snow Tubing and other festive activities. Guests are encouraged to book early, as many ticketed experiences sell out on peak weekends. For tickets, packages, overnight stays or more information, visit ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.

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This year, guests will experience over ten scenes from the hilarious family tale in hand-carved sculptures made of ice. Featured scenes include the old man’s major award, Aunt Clara’s pink nightmare, the ultimate triple dog dare at the school’s flagpole and more. Colored ice, clear ice, and LED lights are all used to create the display.

Starting with more than 6,000 massive ice blocks, the carvers work approximately six weeks – more than 12,000 man-hours – to create the nearly 17,000 square foot frozen attraction. The artisans, using skills passed down through generations, follow a 300-page design book to create the ice spectacle. Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin to soaring scenes more than 30 feet tall. The environment will be kept frozen by a state-of-the-art chilling system that maintains the attraction’s temperature at nine degrees Fahrenheit. Guests will sport a signature blue parka to stay warm.

The carvers will travel more than 5,700 miles from their homes in Harbin, China to Aurora, Colorado. Known as “Ice City,” Harbin is home to the world’s largest annual ice and snow sculpting festival in the world. At Gaylord Rockies, some of the same artisans who create the Harbin festival will carve 300-pound blocks of ice into the larger-than-life, whimsical scenes. Carvers will use chisels, chippers, tongs, handsaws, grinders and even chainsaws to bring “A Christmas Story” to life.

“ICE! has been a tradition at Gaylord Hotels for two decades now,” said General Manager, Suzy Hart. “This is the first time Rockies has put on ‘A Christmas Story’ and watching people come together to enjoy it never gets old.”

In addition to the amazing ice sculptures from the fan-favorite Christmas movie, guests can also take rides down the two-story-tall ice slides and traverse through ice tunnels and arches. The ICE! experience concludes in a separate area dedicated to the Nativity scene, meticulously carved, and shaped in a dramatic display of crystal-clear ice.

While ICE! is the signature attraction for Christmas at Gaylord Rockies, “Cirque: Spirit of Christmas” returns for another year with dazzling costumes, breathtaking aerial performances, and feats that defy gravity. The original Gaylord Hotels production will feature high-flying stunts, acrobatic feats, elaborate staging, and a dramatic musical score directed by renowned Broadway Director Neil Goldberg. This Cirque-style show centers on Noel, a child dismayed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Throughout the 65-minute show, Noel is visited in dreamlike chapters by trapeze artists, acrobats, aerial silk performers and others who help rekindle the Christmas spirit. The show will be performed by an international cast of 25 artists hailing from Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Ethiopia, Czech Republic, Mongolia, Russia, and the U.S.

Here is a rundown of other events, live entertainment, hands-on activities, and exciting attractions taking place this holiday season at the resort:

•    Guests can test their winter wits inside the Naughty or Nice Escape Room. Yuletide trickster Jack Frost is back with his icy antics and has added new names to Santa’s infamous Naughty List. But Jack has a deal to make – if guests can sneak into Santa’s office and solve a series of puzzles, their names will disappear from the Naughty List. Guests need to put on their holiday thinking caps on, solve the mystery, and then dash away, dash away, dash away all!

•    One of Santa’s top toymakers teaches the secrets of becoming one of St. Nick’s helpers and leads the new elf students as they create a special keepsake gift or craft to take home for someone special in Elf Training Academy.

•    Christmas creativity runs wild in the Gingerbread Decorating Corner. Achieve confection perfection with edible art, and enjoy a sweet meet-and-greet and photograph with Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man.

•    Guests can chat with the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, to make sure they have secured a spot on his prestigious Nice List. Santa will meet guests inside Mistletoe Village from Nov. 17 through Dec. 24 before he heads back to the North Pole for his gift-giving journey. Father Christmas’ Library is presented by DEI.

•    Join the jolliest hostess during Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions for a fun-filled celebration. Delight in the retelling of the Christmas classic, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, sing along to favorite holiday songs, and share a batch of Santa’s favorite snack – warm, fresh-baked Christmas cookies and ice-cold milk.

•    Also in Mistletoe Village, guests can experience Build-A-Bear Workshop®. Guests make their own furry friend, take part in the iconic Heart Ceremony, and personalize with seasonal outfits, accessories, sounds and scents.

•    Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt featuring Rudolph and The Misfit Toys. The Misfit Toys are all lost, and they need you to find them! With Rudolph’s help, follow the clues to find the Misfit Toys and send them on their way to their new homes.

•    Yuletide Street Market in Mistletoe Village features wall-to-wall holiday gifts, collectibles, toys, plush, home décor, apparel, ornaments, branded merchandise, and more.

•    Relâche Spa at Gaylord Rockies features Winter Wonderland massage, facial and pedicure treatments, highlighting the benefits of eucalyptus. The aromatic plant is known to be high in antioxidants, to promote relaxation and reduce pain.

Overnight guests will enjoy perks including:
•    “Chill Pass” privileges to ICE!, offering front-of-line access and shorter wait times. “Chill Pass” is free for eligible guests. Attraction tickets are required and sold separately, in advance.
•    An invitation to “Extra Cool Hour,” which provides early-entry into ICE! and Mistletoe Village one hour before it opens for day guests. “Extra Cool Hour” is free for eligible guests. Attraction tickets are required and sold separately, in advance.

Also being unwrapped this year are Christmas at Gaylord Rockies packages that include special room rates and admission to select events. Guests are encouraged to book their experiences early, as advance online reservations are required for all ticketed events. Tickets are limited to many of the experiences. For tickets, more information, or to book an overnight stay, guests may visit ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.

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Known for being the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado, Gaylord Rockies has played host to both leisure travelers and meetings ranging in size from five to 10,000, weddings, and other family celebrations since December 2018. Focusing on continued investment in exceptional meeting spaces and unique food and beverage experiences, Gaylord Rockies is expanding its position as a leader in bringing people together in an extraordinary way.

Scheduled for completion in 2024, these enhancements are Phase Two of the current multi-year investment plan, by ownership group Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., providing a more spacious and elegant environment for both group and leisure customers. The additional enhancements will complement the Phase One investments, that included a redesign of the outdoor lawn spaces and the addition of dining terraces for Old Hickory Steakhouse and Mountain Pass Sports Bar, all completed in April 2023.

Phase Two enhancements include the addition of new bar and restaurant concepts in the Grand Lodge. Opening in spring 2024 are Embers Lodge Bar and The Fortunate Prospector. Later in 2024, the two current restaurants (Monte Jade and Vista Montagne) will be re-concepted to Garden & Grain and Copper Table.

The new event pavilion, Mountain View Pavilion, named for its scenic views of the picturesque Rocky Mountains, covers 12,118 square feet of indoor event and pre-function space, more than 14,000 square feet of outdoor terraces and patios, as well as 15,000 square feet of turfed lawn areas. Interior plans include floor to ceiling windows, banquet space, a sky light, a refined indoor fireplace and west facing mountain views. The Pavilion is set to welcome guests in 2024.

“You rarely see this amount of growth in a resort property,” said Suzy Hart, general manager of the 1,501-room resort. “We just completed a major exterior enhancement in April and now we’re ready to give guests the interior experience of their dreams.”

Embers Lodge Bar

Featuring a 360-degree wrap around bar and 248-person seating area, Embers Lodge Bar is made for gathering with family, friends and colleagues. The menu presents handcrafted cocktails and beers from local distilleries, and a carefully curated wine list. Embers will replace the current bar, Pinyons, and the Après Ski Village space—taking its rightful place as the crown jewel of the Grand Lodge—where guests can enjoy a front row view of the Rocky Mountains. All resort guests and cocktail enthusiasts are welcome to experience the flame at Embers Lodge Bar.

The Fortunate Prospector

The new English pub makes its home on the right side of the atrium, showing off its mascot, Earl, a suave bighorn sheep sporting a top hat and monocle. Seating 134, the menu pulls inspiration from traditional English roots, featuring unique British cocktails and traditional faire along with a 12-draft beer tower. All resort guests and outside diners are welcome to experience The Fortunate Prospector.

Garden & Grain

Garden & Grain will be the first restaurant within the Gaylord Hotels brand focusing on healthy fare. Placing an emphasis on sustainable practices, the eatery will prioritize gluten free, vegetarian, keto, low-carb and vegan options, providing savory yet holistic cuisine while celebrating local farmers. Featuring lion’s mane crabcake, grilled Palisade peaches and honey sourced directly from on-property honeycombs, Garden & Grain will replace Monte Jade, available to all resort guests and outside spectators.

Copper Table

Home to authentic Colorado cuisine served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Copper Table is a rugged and adventurous dining experience replacing Vista Montagne. The choice menu includes local trout and hearty flavors in rotisserie free-run chicken, cast iron elk, bison rib eye and more. For guests looking to sip and savor, handcrafted cocktails, hyper local craft beer and wine selections are available. Copper Table will seat 328 people, an increase of 117 from its previous capacity, and is open to all resort guests and outside connoisseurs.

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