Debating an Ice Castle/Shack

I’m thinking it might be time to take the plunge into an Ice Castle type house. I’m thinking about Camping as well as ice fishing etc.
I know the feature’s I’d like to have (and wifes) but do not have any knowledge of the possible things to look for in a house?
Frame, upkeep, maintenance the best brand, storage, ease of set etc.

Is there anything to obviously avoid? Look for in a shack? I’m thinking the memories will outweigh the cost etc.

I just like to be an informed buyer and this is the best place to ask such a question!

Decide what size you would like and if you want a bathroom with running water or not. Some people are happy with ice castles and some people say that they are absolute garbage.

I researched almost a year before I finally settled on a glacier 16’. I know right now dealers can’t hardly keep them in stock. I was lucky to find mine late this summer and it was a 2020 model. Now there all pretty much 2021 models with a higher price. One thing I made mandatory when searching is it needed a power lift bed in the back instead of a top folding bunk. Most lift beds are bigger than the folding bunks and a lot more comfortable IMO.

Before the particular brands I would think you need to decide what features you want. How big (how many people can use/sleep in it)? Is weight a concern? Do you want to deal with a water system seems like a huge one too.

Are you happy with your Glacier? I was impressed with that house.
Easy to set up on the ice?

Besox wrote:

Are you happy with your Glacier? I was impress with that house.
Easy to set up on the ice?

i just got it late this summer and only had a chance to use it camping once so far. so far im happy with it and will be using it on the ice in a couple weeks.

also i would definetly get one with a/c if your planning on camping with it

I own a Glacier as well. I’d argue their interior fit and finish is some of the best in the business.

I’ve been in a few brand new Ice Castles lately that look like drunk uncle Jimmy threw them together in a weekend. Absolutely horrible craftsmanship. There are obviously tons and tons of happy owners, but as someone who’s OCD about fit and finish – they’d never get my money. Just my .02, make your own judgements.

With that said, I think when you’re initially looking you need to start with a budget, then narrow down the size and features you’re looking for, and then start to look at the major brands.

What IceMan said is solid advice. I bought a used 8×16 Ice Castle this year and have not used it yet. I wish I could have afforded to go with a better brand, from my research and people I have spoke with that have owned several brands speak highly of Yeti. I got mine used for 14K. That was my budget. I figure either this will work for me for a long time or they keep there resale and I will trade up later. Fit and finish could be better but I am happy with it. Also agree with getting the AC. Owe and be prepared for the cash to start going away it’s like owning another boat!

I agree John, they absolutely hold their value well – especially given the price increases on new units due to material costs rising the past year.

When you say cash out do you mean in repairs or issues?

Since I bought mine no repairs, again have not used it yet. I mean generator $1000.00, electric auger $500.00, rattle reels $100.00, upgrade my rear suspension on the truck $150.00 and so on. It’s all good as they say you can’t take it with you right. You will love owning so just do it.

John Rasmussen wrote:

Since I bought mine no repairs, again have not used it yet. I mean generator $1000.00, electric auger $500.00, rattle reels $100.00, upgrade my rear suspension on the truck $150.00 and so on. It all good as they say you can’t take it with you right. You will love owning so just do it.

sounds exactly what ive been going through…. hole sleeves, rugs, fans, cooking stuff, bedding, tv, inverter, extra battery and etc. all adds up but its fun

Coletrain27 wrote:

also i would definetly get one with a/c if your planning on camping with it

I have to imagine that trying to sleep in one of those insulated things without AC would be virtually intolerable in the summer.

Coletrain27 wrote:

John Rasmussen wrote:
Since I bought mine no repairs, again have not used it yet. I mean generator $1000.00, electric auger $500.00, rattle reels $100.00, upgrade my rear suspension on the truck $150.00 and so on. It all good as they say you can’t take it with you right. You will love owning so just do it.

sounds exactly what ive been going through…. hole sleeves, rugs, fans, cooking stuff, bedding, tv, inverter, extra battery and etc. all adds up but its fun

X3 It’s amazing how the incidentals quickly add up to real money. It’s one reason to look used as the prior owner will likely have done many of these. I bought used and still finding things to buy to make it the way I want.

I myself do not own one or have looked to much at any of them. Several of my good friends have gotten into one in the last few years. All of them after much research steered away from the Ice Castle Brand. Several of these friends work in trade fields and just were not happy with the fit and finish on Ice castle. One went with a Yetti, One a glacier, and the other ended up with a private custom built one. The one thing I hear often is to stay away from the Hydraulic model’s. Seems like they often fail or break down at the worst time. One factor I would also keep in mind is the weight. This comes into play when you consider towing and how much ice is needed before you can start getting it out onto the ice. Seems like these days there is one built to cover almost anyones needs and wants. Like others have said, you need to decide what your needs and wants are to start narrowing down the brands and models to fit your needs.

The fit and finish on castles is trash. everyone knows this. common issues are splintered wood on cabinets, off center doors and cabinets, electrical outlets hooked up wrong and non functional and in the worst cases poorly sealed roofs that result in leaks. Other issues include problems with frames rusting or problems with the hubs or pivots. HAVING SAID THAT i have 4 close friends who have purchased a total of 5 ice castles between them in the last 4 years and no one has had a problem other than the cabinet issues mentioned above, which are not a big deal IMO.

Also something to consider is Ice Castle outsells everyone else by leaps and bounds so reported issues are likely to be more frequent then with other brands.

The price of fish houses has really gone insane. Its a pity IMO. They have far exceeded what i would consider the sweet spot where both buyer and manufacturer/seller both get a good deal. For a long time i wanted a fish house but a few years ago i finally decided i don’t want to bother with another asset that will potentially give me grief.

As to your question about what things to consider. Keep in mind almost all of my experience has to do with ice castle but some of these suggestions are universal.

-As mentioned above definitely get a AC unit if you plan on using it year round. Ive read of guys using portable units and that is an option that will work but may just be easier and less hassle to have one built into the fish house.
-Awnings are nice for camping.
-The fish tank/minnow tank in ice castles is absolute trash. Stopped working in a friends house after 1 week.
-I don’t know which ones but Ice castle uses 3 different frame manufacturers. Some are purported to be better than others. If memory serves Valley is supposed to be the best but look up reviews.
-the electric bunks are awesome and very convenient. One of my buddys stopped working but it was a simple issue of a wire coming undone.
-Crank frames are going to have less potential for issues than hydraulic but the hydraulic frames are the bees knees. My cousin is a hydraulic mechanic and said don’t even think about getting a hydraulic frame on a fish house but to date none of my friends have had issues with theirs.
-If you go with a steel framed house definitely get it galvanized!!!!! They will start rusting within a year or two and it will get worse each year.

As an ice castle owner (2018 outlaw) I will never buy another one. Too many issues and I know many other people that have them and they have all had issues as well, and I mean within months of getting them brand new. Look into ice country houses. He is out of big lake and that’s where my next house will come from. Like others have already said budget extra as all the little things and not so little as it all adds up quick.

Yetti Firebrand ridgline polecrib glacier alumaice and several others. I honestly would go to an ice show or RV show when they happen again and look at them and have them explain why there’s is better. There are too many good options out there besides ice castle to narrow your search down. Not a knock against IC as I have been in some pretty nice ones. Just many more options out there than there used to be.

I love my Firebrand Fishhouse. It’s all aluminum except for the heavy duty torsion stub axels. I also like that it doesn’t use cables. I’ve owned mine since ‘14 and it is still in great condition. I use it for summer camping and have a window ac in one window. Last year I and my twin9y/o granddaughters used it to go from Milwaukee to the Black Hills and Yellowstone. Mine is also a toy hauler with rear ramp door. I put the snowmobile in and head up to Gogibic and camp on the lake while others have to spend $$$ on lodging…if there is any vacancy.

One word of caution, you’ll be the first to be called when friends or family want to move…

Attachments:

1. 

   6C4C6339-F161-48D8-9738-4C205F49F1A0.jpeg
   

2. 

   AEEA3845-3390-44A7-B2A6-5E70391E5B04.jpeg
   

There are problems with all of the manufacturers out there, not just Ice Castle.

The running gear on my Yetti rotted away. It also ate up a set of tires every couple seasons.

Yes Yetti has a nicer fit and finish than Ice Castle, but the prices are OBSCENE for a new Yetti…..

Right now we have a custom Ice Castle 27’+2’v on order. Galvanized hydraulic Valley frame, slide out, awning, RV edition, toy hauler, queen lift bed, full spray foam, upgraded stainless appliances, large 12v fridge, satellite, a/c, spare tire, batteries, converter, fiberglass siding, 90″ sidewalls,etc etc etc.

If I were to have something half assed equivalent made made by Yetti, it would cost $70,000+……

I’m spending about half of that and can straighten a cabinet door or sand a rough edge lol

2 major things that steered me away from ice castle were the flimsy metal roof and the residential style windows. A $20-40k ice shack should not come with cheap residential type windows IMO

Coletrain27 wrote:

2 major things that steered me away from ice castle were the flimsy metal roof and the residential style windows. A $20-40k ice shack should not come with cheap residential type windows IMO

You can put any window you want in them (Standard Vinyl, RV style, Anderson’s, etc)

The reason they use the vinyl double pane windows is because they work well in the cold, don’t frost up like an RV window, are reasonable ($$), and are rot free.

My Yetti had the same style that Ice Castle uses.

Just saying, I know people with that type window and have had them crack from the walls flexing. A yetti is all welded alluminum frame compared to wood ice castle isn’t it?

Coletrain27 wrote:

Just saying, I know people with that type window and have had them crack from the walls flexing. A yetti is all welded alluminum frame compared to wood ice castle isn’t it?

I’ve never heard of anyone with a cracked window from any manufacturer.

Yes Ice Castle uses wood studs, just like the vast majority of shacks and RVs on the road. I’m sure there could be some flex without spray foamed walls, but I’ve had buddies with Ice Castles since 2006 that have never broken a window (including the shacks with the old angle iron frames)

With spray foam (Artic Package) and beefy boxed frames, the shack’s walls aren’t going to move. I’m not saying it will be any better than the Yetti I had with aluminum studs and cut foam sheets as insulation, but it likely could be.

There is no doubt the Yetti is a nice shack, but I can live with spray foam and wood studs built to industry standards and save myself $35,000…..

If I crapped money and could justify the $70,000 for a custom RV Yetti I would. But the little differences are not worth twice the money (to me).

Knock yourself out and price a new 17-24′ Yetti with the RV package compared to a new RV Ice Castle. Check them both out in person and see if the added cost is worth it to you. You can get a 21′ tandem axle hydraulic RV (toilet, sink, shower) Edition Ice Castle for the same money as a 17′ dry crank-frame single axle Yetti that you have to poop in a bucket

John Rasmussen wrote:

Since I bought mine no repairs, again have not used it yet. I mean generator $1000.00, electric auger $500.00, rattle reels $100.00, upgrade my rear suspension on the truck $150.00 and so on. It’s all good as they say you can’t take it with you right. You will love owning so just do it.

Amen Brother!

If not now when?

Enjoy.

BTW – I got me a smitty and an Otter hub. LOL
It’s all I need

Yeah but you also have a sweet cabin on the lake so that is truly all you need!

Friends don’t let friends buy Ice Castles. There was a guy on here or another site that even his winches went bad, who ever heard of that?

3rdtryguy wrote:

Friends don’t let friends buy Ice Castles. There was a guy on here or another site that even his winches went bad, who ever heard of that?

You guy’s said the same thing about Tracker boats and now own both so I guess I’m just asking for it.

Some of us have to fish on a budget.

3rdtryguy wrote:

Friends don’t let friends buy Ice Castles. There was a guy on here or another site that even his winches went bad, who ever heard of that?

I broke two winches on my Yetti too lol

Ice Castle and Yetti aren’t in the winch manufacturing business