Each holiday season, Kings Island pulls off one of the most dazzling winter transformations in the Midwest — turning its signature Royal Fountain on International Street into a massive 240-by-78-foot ice skating rink known as Snow Flake Lake for WinterFest.

What looks like a simple sheet of ice in front of the park’s 314-foot Eiffel Tower is actually the result of weeks of careful planning, construction, and engineering precision.

It all begins in late October, right as Halloween Haunt wraps up. The Royal Fountain — a landmark centerpiece during the summer — is completely drained to prepare for its frosty makeover. From there, a team of workers begins building the rink from the ground up, starting with a foundation of scaffolding and plywood. More than 1,000 sheets of plywood are used to create a level, sturdy platform strong enough to hold skaters, equipment, and thousands of gallons of frozen water.

Next comes the most technical step: installing a refrigeration system that will keep the ice frozen even when temperatures climb above freezing. A web of pipes and cooling lines is laid across the platform to circulate chilled fluid beneath the surface.

Once everything is in place, crews begin adding water — over 30,000 gallons in total — freezing it slowly in thin layers to form a smooth, durable skating surface. The process takes several days and requires constant monitoring to ensure a flawless finish.

Finally, as the ice sets, the transformation turns magical. Festive decorations — including twinkling lights, snow-dusted evergreens, and polar bear statues — bring the area to life. When complete, the project has taken about three to three-and-a-half weeks from start to finish.

The end result is breathtaking: Snow Flake Lake, a glistening, open-air rink surrounded by millions of Christmas lights and framed by the Eiffel Tower aglow as a giant holiday tree. It’s one of the most scenic skating experiences anywhere in the region — a place where the spirit of WinterFest truly comes to life.

Experience the magic of WinterFest on select nights in November and December! Learn more at SixFlags.com/KingsIsland. 

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