Holiday Experiences

Step into a world of festive wonder at Crystal Springs Resort, where the magic of the season comes alive against a backdrop of crisp mountain air and twinkling lights. Whether you're roasting marshmallows by the fire at Frosty’s Cantina, gliding across the ice with your favorite holiday carols playing overhead, or sharing a magical moment with Santa, our winter wonderland offers a storybook escape for the whole family. Unwind with luxury comforts, seasonal culinary delights, and cherished traditions designed to make your holidays truly spectacular.

Holiday Experiences & Activities Included With Your Stay

Paper ornaments.

Kid Crafted Gifts: Ornaments

Kids will have lots of fun creating holiday ornaments. A little glue, some glitter and a few basic craft supplies are all that's needed for decorations that youngsters can easily make. These DIY ornaments make great gifts, or add a special touch to your tree.

Hand holding hot chocolate with whip cream.

Frosty's Courtyard

Gather with friends at Frosty’s Courtyard—an outdoor holiday escape with twinkling photo spots, lighthearted games, and a North Pole Mail Stop . Top it all off with festive cocktails and cozy drinks from Frosty’s Cantina, open weekends only.

Children Glice Skating Together during family vacation in NJ

Glice Skating

Glice is a Swiss engineered eco-friendly synthetic material that can be skated on, even when it is above freezing. Come glide around the rink and then warm up by the fire with a hot cocoa or festive adult beverage from the Jacques Torres Hot Cocoa Hut. Hosted at Grand Cascades Lodge. Skate time and skate rentals are included for guests of both hotels.

Holiday Carol-oke

Step into the spotlight and sing your favorite holiday hits under the glow! Grab the mic, gather the family, and belt out festive classics in this glowing karaoke celebration. No experience required—just holiday spirit and a willingness to have fun!

Boy and girl about to push curling stone down ice.

Curling Open Sessions

Try this winter sport by the Glice Rink at the Crystal Springs Clubhouse. Two teams of players slide curling stones down a sheet of specially prepared synthetic "glice" attempting to get their stones closest to the target's center.

Child writing postcards

Postcard Coloring

Kids can choose their design, color it in, then write their very own season's greetings. All that's needed is a bit of creativity to make a one-of-a-kind card for family and friends!

Woman dressed in elf costume reading story to child.

Elf Story Time in Frosty's Courtyard

Join Santa’s cheerful helper for a magical story time filled with holiday tales, laughter, and festive fun. Perfect for children and families to cozy up and enjoy the spirit of the season!

Looking for more?

In addition to all the experiences and activities above that are included with your stay, the Resort also offers the following workshops, which do require a fee.

WORKSHOP: Decorate Your Own Mini Tree

Get into the holiday spirit while decorating your very own mini Christmas tree! Show your creativity with shiny beads, glistening balls and your own imagination to make the perfect tree.

Family decorating mini Christmas tree during Winter Workshop at Minerals Hotel

WORKSHOP: Paint & Sip

Join one of our local art instructors for step by step guidance to create a beautiful seasonal scene you'll be proud of. Enjoy a glass of wine as you paint your take home souvenir on canvas. Hosted at Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel.

Get creative with paint & sip

WORKSHOP: Ginger Bread Cookie Decorating

'Tis the season to make delicious smiles! Have fun with this holiday tradition as you decorate three gingerbread people to create tasty treats. Use icing, colorful sprinkles and bright candies to make your cookies one-of-a-kind. All supplies will be provided. Hosted at Minerals Hotel.

Decorated gingerbread cookes in a jar.

WORKSHOP: The Art of Mixology

Elevate your bartending skills with a hands-on cocktail masterclass hosted by our talented Resort mixologists. Enjoy step-by-step guidance as you craft signature drinks at Grand Cascades Lodge.

Adults participating in a Mixology teambuilding competition

WORKSHOP: Metal Stamped Ornaments or Jewelry

Create one-of-a-kind holiday keepsake in this hands on workshop! Open to both kids and adults, each guest will receive their choice of a blank ornament or piece of jewelry to personalize using metal stamping techniques. Add names, dates or festive designs to make it uniquely yours.

Person metal stamping.

WORKSHOP: Cake + Sip

Learn how to decorate from our professional cake decorator. In this workshop, you will learn a variety of techniques utilizing both icing and fondant. Guests go home with an artfully decorated cake, as well as the skills to create beautiful cakes in the future! Hosted at Grand Cascades Lodge.

Baker preparing cake.

WORKSHOP: Decorate Your Own Mini Tree

Get into the holiday spirit while decorating your very own mini Christmas tree! Show your creativity with shiny beads, glistening balls and your own imagination to make the perfect tree.

WORKSHOP: Paint & Sip

Join one of our local art instructors for step by step guidance to create a beautiful seasonal scene you'll be proud of. Enjoy a glass of wine as you paint your take home souvenir on canvas. Hosted at Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel.

WORKSHOP: Ginger Bread Cookie Decorating

'Tis the season to make delicious smiles! Have fun with this holiday tradition as you decorate three gingerbread people to create tasty treats. Use icing, colorful sprinkles and bright candies to make your cookies one-of-a-kind. All supplies will be provided. Hosted at Minerals Hotel.

WORKSHOP: The Art of Mixology

Elevate your bartending skills with a hands-on cocktail masterclass hosted by our talented Resort mixologists. Enjoy step-by-step guidance as you craft signature drinks at Grand Cascades Lodge.

WORKSHOP: Metal Stamped Ornaments or Jewelry

Create one-of-a-kind holiday keepsake in this hands on workshop! Open to both kids and adults, each guest will receive their choice of a blank ornament or piece of jewelry to personalize using metal stamping techniques. Add names, dates or festive designs to make it uniquely yours.

WORKSHOP: Cake + Sip

Learn how to decorate from our professional cake decorator. In this workshop, you will learn a variety of techniques utilizing both icing and fondant. Guests go home with an artfully decorated cake, as well as the skills to create beautiful cakes in the future! Hosted at Grand Cascades Lodge.

Pools & Amenities

Minerals Pools

Guests of both hotels have access to the Minerals Hotel pool complex which features heated indoor and outdoor pools, refreshing waterfalls, multiple hot tubs, cold plunge, steam & sauna, swim up aquarium and more.

Minerals Hotel Indoor Pool

Biosphere Pools

Grand Cascades Lodge guests have full access to the Biosphere Pool Complex, which features a retractable glass roof, dozens or exotic tropical plants, 140' water slide, free form indoor & outdoor heated pools, hot tub, steam & sauna.

Waterfall at Biosphere Pool Complex in Grand Cascades Lodge

Fire Pits

Both hotels offer cozy fire pits with stunning mountain views which can be enjoyed in all four seasons. Whether roasting marshmallows, listening to music or enjoying the stars, these outdoor seating enclaves are a guest favorite.

Family sitting by fire pit at Schnapps Shack

Snow Pools

Pool complexes at both hotels have outdoor heated snow pools that are open year round and where you can stay warm regardless of how cold it is outside, even in a snowy blizzard!

Couple enjoying the snow pool at Grand Cascades Lodge

Minerals Sports Club

Guests of both hotels have full access to dozens of weekly yoga and fitness classes as well as all facilities at Minerals Sports Club an expansive weight and cardio center, spin studio, running track, pickleball courts, rock climbing and basketball court. 

Minerals Sports Club floor.

Biosphere Water Slide

Take a ride down the 140’ water slide in the tropical Biosphere at Grand Cascades Lodge. The slide provides a high energy ride through a tunnel ending with a speedy splash down into our heated pool. Available to GCL guest only.

Young girl going down the Biosphere water slide

Hot Tubs, Steam & Sauna

The pool complexes at both hotels feature hot tub, steam & sauna for you to relax and unwind year round. Minerals pool complex also features a cold plunge for those interested in cold water immersion therapy.

Woman in white towel sitting in sauna.

Glice Rink

Made from an eco-friendly Swiss engineered material, the Glice rink at the Crystal Springs Clubhouse will be open daily starting November 29th. Skate rentals and Glice time are included with your stay at either Resort hotel.

Kids sitting on glice skating rink.

Wild Turkey Nature Trail

Set out for a calming walk on our three mile wooded Nature Trail adjacent to Grand Cascades Lodge. Capture exceptional shots of flora and fauna in this forested setting with scenic views. Sturdy walking shoes recommended.

Group of four people hiking in woods during winter.

Rock Climbing Wall

Guests of both hotels are invited to try their mountaineering skills on the rock climbing wall at Minerals Hotel, which uses a catch-and-hold technology to give climbers the time they need to rest, recover, and finish their route.

Children rock climbing.

Minerals Pools

Guests of both hotels have access to the Minerals Hotel pool complex which features heated indoor and outdoor pools, refreshing waterfalls, multiple hot tubs, cold plunge, steam & sauna, swim up aquarium and more.

Biosphere Pools

Grand Cascades Lodge guests have full access to the Biosphere Pool Complex, which features a retractable glass roof, dozens or exotic tropical plants, 140' water slide, free form indoor & outdoor heated pools, hot tub, steam & sauna.

Fire Pits

Both hotels offer cozy fire pits with stunning mountain views which can be enjoyed in all four seasons. Whether roasting marshmallows, listening to music or enjoying the stars, these outdoor seating enclaves are a guest favorite.

Snow Pools

Pool complexes at both hotels have outdoor heated snow pools that are open year round and where you can stay warm regardless of how cold it is outside, even in a snowy blizzard!

Minerals Sports Club

Guests of both hotels have full access to dozens of weekly yoga and fitness classes as well as all facilities at Minerals Sports Club an expansive weight and cardio center, spin studio, running track, pickleball courts, rock climbing and basketball court. 

Biosphere Water Slide

Take a ride down the 140’ water slide in the tropical Biosphere at Grand Cascades Lodge. The slide provides a high energy ride through a tunnel ending with a speedy splash down into our heated pool. Available to GCL guest only.

Hot Tubs, Steam & Sauna

The pool complexes at both hotels feature hot tub, steam & sauna for you to relax and unwind year round. Minerals pool complex also features a cold plunge for those interested in cold water immersion therapy.

Glice Rink

Made from an eco-friendly Swiss engineered material, the Glice rink at the Crystal Springs Clubhouse will be open daily starting November 29th. Skate rentals and Glice time are included with your stay at either Resort hotel.

Wild Turkey Nature Trail

Set out for a calming walk on our three mile wooded Nature Trail adjacent to Grand Cascades Lodge. Capture exceptional shots of flora and fauna in this forested setting with scenic views. Sturdy walking shoes recommended.

Rock Climbing Wall

Guests of both hotels are invited to try their mountaineering skills on the rock climbing wall at Minerals Hotel, which uses a catch-and-hold technology to give climbers the time they need to rest, recover, and finish their route.