Five Ways to Feel Winter in Las Vegas
By Susan Stapleton
Las Vegas gets less than 1 inch of snow annually, making it seem far from wintertime. Fear not; THERE ARE an assortment of ways to make it seem like winter outside. You can still have a chillingly good time at these five experiences in the area.
Minus5 Ice Bar
Minus5 Ice Bar: Get cold, really cold, surrounded by 100 percent Canadian ice at minus 5 degrees at the frosty Minus5 Ice Bar at Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo. The entire place is made of ice, including walls, seats and even glasses. Walk around to discover ice sculpture of Kim Kardashian’s engagement ring, Mount Rushmore, the Welcome to Las Vegas sign and more. Ice carvers swap out the sculptures every six to eight weeks so there’s always something new to discover. Grab an insulated jacket, gloves and boots to walk inside and sip on vodka libations served in sculpted ice glasses. (702.632.7714)
Red Square: Vodka makes you think of Russia, which makes you think of long, cold winters, something Las Vegas never considers. Get a bit of Russian winter in Red Square at Mandalay Bay, where a giant headless statue of Vladimir Lenin, complete with faux bird droppings, stands guard outside the Russian restaurant. Slip inside the sub-zero vault where more than 200 vodkas line up at the frozen ice bar. You can sip on your martinis wearing a Russian army jacket or fur coat. You’ll want one; inside it’s 10 below zero. The restaurant recently underwent a sprucing up, too. (702.693.8300)
Qua Baths & Spa
Qua Baths & Spa: Book a spa treatment at Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace and make sure you save some time in the Roman baths. There you’ll find the Arctic Ice Room, where you can unwind with ice chips for exfoliation. The air in here is a refreshing 55 degrees. Snow falls from the domed ceiling, and bathers can collect it in small bowls. Even the air is infused with mint to keep it cool. (866.782.0655)
The Resort on Mount Charleston: Only 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, the Resort on Mount Charleston is a rustic retreat set high in the mountains of the Toiyabe National Forest. Here you can find crisp air, temperatures 20 degrees cooler than Las Vegas and outdoor adventures galore. Each guest room overlooks tall mountain peaks. Stop by A Cut Above for dining with a view or boxed meals to fuel your adventure, or sup on a beer at the classic chalet-style bar while you chill out. (702.872.5500)
Canyon Ranch SpaClub: When you book a spa treatment or pick up a day pass for the fitness center at Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Palazzo and The Venetian, you get access to the Aquavana, a European-inspired aquathermal playground with hot and cold treatments, including snow. Step inside the Igloo for cool air and three arctic mist experiences enhanced by twinkling fiber optics. Or find another rarity for Las Vegas winters, rain, in the Experiential Rains, which offer multisensory cooling showers. (702.414.3600)
