Hats Off to a One-of-a-Kind Winter: “Ice Rodeo” Returns to Four Seasons Hotel Austin

Austin’s local delight Ice Rodeo returns for the third year with even more to see and do this winter.

Beginning November 22, 2024, through January 5, 2025, guests and locals can saddle up for the festive season as Four Seasons Hotel Austin is transformed into a winter wonderland with Texas-sized surprises for all ages.

Outdoor Ice-Skating Rink and Food Trucks

Holiday merrymakers dreaming of an authentic outdoor ice-skating rink this winter can glide upon the Hotel’s 3,360 square foot (312 square metre) rink overlooking Lady Bird Lake.  Built atop the pool and cooled by state-of-the-art chillers, this icy wonderland stays perfectly maintained despite any varying outdoor Texas temperatures.

After skating, guests can relax with festive cocktails and holiday market-style eats from adjacent food and beverage trucks at The Point. This outdoor lounge - adorned with festive décor and cozy seating - is the perfect refuge to relish in the holiday cheer and roast s’mores on communal fire pits.

The rink is open to the public daily with varying hours throughout the holiday season. The full schedule can be found online. Tickets can be purchased on the Ice Rodeo website and include a one-hour skating session and access to all the Ice Rodeo festivities.

Rinkside Dining Cabins

Those looking for an icy experience can rent rinkside cabins - fit for up to six guests – and delight in lodge-chic retreats decked with a variety of luxurious amenities. Available daily, the cabins provide a uniquely festive atmosphere for holiday get-togethers with friends, family, or a romantic evening for two. Cabins start at USD 350 per two-hour rental, with special food and drink add-ons available including Champagne, specialty cocktails, shareable small plates, and tableside s’mores.

Candy Shop

Perfect for holiday gifting or satisfying a sweet tooth, the rinkside candy shop is a new shopping pop-up where sweet dreams come to life. Visitors can dive into a world of confectionery delights, featuring artisanal chocolates, nostalgic candies, and house-made festive treats available for purchase throughout the holiday season.

Holiday Décor

The best place to get in the holiday spirit is Four Seasons Hotel Austin as festive charms are on full display across the entire property. After an arrival beneath a blanket of thousands of twinkling lights on the front drive and gallivanting through a 120-foot (37 metre) tunnel of lighted stars, guests can spot elaborate Texas-themed art installations that have been cleverly tucked across property for the perfect photo-op. Of course, no visit is complete without a twirl beside the 30-foot (9 metre) Christmas Tree located on the back lawn.

Gingerbread Display

The décor turns delicious as guests head indoors for a peek at the Hotel’s famous gingerbread Lobby display created by Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Pallagi-Naim and team. Creations of years past have included suspended globes representing classic holiday songs and a life-sized Airstream trailer. This year, the team offers a taste of the world, paying homage to Four Seasons properties around the globe from Bora Bora to Serengeti with edible replicas of scenes from iconic hotels and resorts. Those looking to partake in the sweetness can sponsor a replica and have their name added to the display. All proceeds will benefit Dell Children’s Medical Center.

“The Deck” Pop-Up Lounge and “Hidden Flask” Speakeasy

For an aerial view of the festivities, sugarplum sippers can step into the Hotel’s holiday pop-up lounge, The Deck located on the outdoor balcony of the Hotel bar, Live Oak. Open daily from 1:00 pm to 12:00 midnight, the lounge will feature a lavish specialty menu of martinis, oysters, and more. Guests can truly “deck the halls” in this festive space adorned with winter-chic designs and cozy furnishings while overlooking the Austin winter landscape. Seating is first come, first served and open to the public.

Every sip tells a story at the Hidden Flask, a seasonal speakeasy-inspired pop-up located in the Hotel’s famous Congressional Suite. Whether discovering secret surprises from the indoor lounge and ice room or toasting fireside on the suite’s intimate outdoor balcony, each moment is steeped in intrigue. This exclusive experience is available Thursdays-Saturdays via reservation on OpenTable.

Afternoon Tea Service, “Holiday A-Tea-X”

The beloved afternoon tea service, A-Tea-X, will return November 22, 2024, with a festive flair. Available in the Hotel’s stylish bar daily from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, this ornamented offering includes flavoured hot teas, tea-inspired cocktails, and an impressive display of holiday treats. Reservations can be made with a minimum of 24 hours advanced notice via the Hotel’s OpenTable page.

Winter Spa Treatments

For those hoping to unwind from all the holiday hustle, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Austin will offer two signature experiences throughout the season. The Fire and Ice Facial blends thermal-active ingredients, detoxifying enzymes, and soothing algae to harness temperature technology and unveil skin in its most radiant form. Winter’s sweetest treat, the Chocolate Winter Mint Body Experience, begins with a winter mint aromatherapy massage and is followed by a velvety, chocolate foot scrub. To complete the decadent escape, guests will receive a complimentary, custom Delysia chocolate gift box.

Winter Escape Rooms Package

With so much to experience, guests can stay longer and enjoy 20 percent off of their room rate with the Winter Escape offer. Additionally, the package includes a winter wonderland welcome amenity, a Four Seasons tote bag, and a custom drink tumbler for local brand Yeti.

For more information on Ice Rodeo and winter happenings at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, click here.