It’s not often that we get snow in the metro-Atlanta area, but there is one place where it’s always guaranteed. License to Chill Snow Island is a winter wonderland at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands where you can go snow tubing, have snowball fights, and ice skate.
A special thanks to Margaritaville at Lanier Islands for providing us with tickets to License to Chill Snow Island! As always, all opinions are my own.
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is a popular lakeside resort and water park during the summer — but come winter, it’s a snow park with snow tubing, a snow play area, ice skating, and carnival amusement rides, plus holiday lights at Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular as an add-on.
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License to Chill Snow Island at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
License to Chill Snow Island at Lake Lanier is the only place in metro-Atlanta that you’re guaranteed to get snow this holiday season. So if you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, you won’t want to miss this!
License to Chill Snow Island is open on select dates from November 4, 2023 through February 25, 2024.
Blizzard Mountain Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is probably not something you thought you could do in Georgia, much less at Lake Lanier. But at License to Chill Snow Island, you can have all the snow tubing fun you want!
Blizzard Mountain is a 575-foot-long, eight-story high snow slide that you can tube down, if you’re brave enough. It’s one of the longest snow rides in North America!
Don’t worry, you don’t have to walk all the way to the top; grab a tube near the bottom and hop on the moving sidewalk to take you the rest of the way up.
This adrenaline-pumping snow tube sends you flying down the hill — you might even do a 360. Lines can be long for this ride, but it’s worth the wait.
Frosty’s Ice Rink
Ice skating is my favorite winter activity (actually, I do it all year-round)!
Frosty’s Ice Rink is a small covered rink that’s enclosed on three sides, so you don’t have to worry if the weather outside is frightful. The seating area is covered as well, with plenty of heaters to keep you warm as you watch the skaters.
There’s no limit for how long you’re allowed to skate. It’s a small rink, so it can get pretty crowded. As far as outdoor rinks go, this ice wasn’t too bad.
Check out more places to go outdoor ice skating in Atlanta here.
Snowball Alley
Ready for a snowball fight?
Snowball Alley is heaps of fun. Snow is piled high for you to run around (careful, it’s slippery) and have a snowball fight, make snowmen, make a snow angel, and more! Seriously, kids were making entire snow tunnels through these mounds.
If you, or your child, have never seen snow before, this is definitely a great experience. Be sure to wear something more waterproof, especially shoes, because you will get soggy.
Snow Island Amusement Rides
All throughout Snow Island, you’ll find carnival rides and games. There’s a Ferris wheel, carousel, bumper cars, a swinging pirate ship, and more.
Be sure to take note of the height requirement. Many rides have a minimum height, and some are for kids only.
Santa Sightings
On select days in December, you can find Santa at his workshop inside the gift shop. You’ll have the opportunity for a family photo and for the kids to give him their wish list.
Santa is at Snow Island from 5 p.m. to close on December 3-4, 10-11, and 17-20. Santa visits cost $12 or 4 activity tickets for a family of up to 6.
Festive Treats
S’mores, cookies, cake pops, hot chocolate. There are tons of delicious holiday treats around Snow Island.
Stop by the Glacier Café and Bake Shop for things like burgers, chicken tenders, hot cocoa, cookies, cake pops, and s’mores kits.
The Tipsy Snowman has treats perfect for adults. Get your favorite brew or a cocktail, either hot or cold, to help warm you up. I’m a big fan of a spiked hot chocolate. You can also get some snacks here.
Jack Frost’s Shark Shack is open for a quick snack to-go or a meal on the patio, like chicken tenders, curly fries, and pretzels.
There are also plenty of carnival treats like funnel cake, corn dogs, nachos, and fried Oreos.
Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular
Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular is a walk-through light display on the shores of Lake Lanier.
This light show set to holiday music features traditional holiday displays, Margaritaville- and beach-themed scenes, and a giant screen that plays holiday music videos.
At the beginning of the path, you’ll have the chance to grab a drink or snack from Santa’s Tiki Bar and other concessions to take with you as you stroll through the lights.
Right in the middle of the path is the Tipsy Elf where you can get a refill on your drink and snacks while you sit by the giant fire pit and look out across the lake.
As you stroll through, you’ll see snowmen on the sandy beach among lighted palm trees, sharks in Santa hats, and a light tunnel over a floating bridge.
Landshark Bar & Grill
For dinner, head to the Landshark Bar & Grill.
You can drive to it (park at the Grand Hall parking lot), or you can walk to it from the Lakeside Lights Spectacular (instead of turning to go over the floating bridge, continue straight).
This sit-down restaurant serves a menu of burgers, fish tacos, fried shrimp, tropical cocktails, and your favorite brews.
Snow Island and Lakeside Lights Spectacular Dates
License to Chill Snow Island is open on select dates from November 4, 2023 through February 25, 2024. Hours vary by date. See their full schedule for hours and dates.
Snow Island is open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day!
Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular is open nightly from November 22-26, 2023 and December 1, 2023 to January 3, 2024 and then weekends only through January 15, 2023. See their full schedule for hours and dates. It opens at 5 p.m.
Lakeside Light Spectacular is open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day!
Snow Island and Lakeside Lights Spectacular Pricing
Snow Island Day Passes include access to snow tubing, snow play area, the ice rink, and amusement rides. These cost $54.99 for adults; $39.99 for children ages 3-7, active and retired military, and seniors 62+; and free for children ages 2 and younger.
All Access Day Passes include everything in the Snow Island Day Pass plus access to Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular. These cost $69.99 for adults and $39.99 for children.
Admission to Snow Island without access to attractions is complimentary. So you don’t need to pay if you’re just supervising the kids!
Admission to just the Lakeside Lights Spectacular costs $19.99 for ages 4+; $14.99 for active and retired military, and seniors 62+; and free for ages 3 and younger.
You’ll also have to pay the Lanier Islands gate fee, which costs $20 per vehicle.
Where to Stay in Atlanta
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to Atlanta, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.
- Top Hotel: The Candler Hotel
- Great Value: Hampton Inn & Suites Perimeter Dunwoody
- Unique Stay: Stonehurst Place
- Stay at the Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge
More Winter Fun in Atlanta
Find even more fun winter activities in and around Atlanta, Georgia! Check out these posts for your winter inspiration:
- Top Things to Do During Winter in Atlanta, Georgia
- How to Spend Christmas in Atlanta, Georgia
- Holiday Light Displays in Atlanta You Won’t Want to Miss
Ready to visit Atlanta, Georgia? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Atlanta using Hotels.com.
- Save on Attractions: Save 40% on admission to Atlanta’s top attractions using the Atlanta CityPASS.
- Finish Your Christmas Shopping: Still looking for the perfect gift for your travel-lover? Check out my comprehensive Gifts for Travelers gift guide.
Cheers!
Paige
Have you experienced License to Chill Snow Island at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands? Let me know in the comments!
