The North Pole – Santa’s Workshop is a 25-acre, vintage amusement park featuring all things relating to the spirit of Christmas. For almost 70 years, this enchanting gem has been an integral part of the Ute Pass vista as drivers wind through the rocks and pines while climbing along the northern slope of Pikes Peak on U.S. Highway 24.

At around 7,500 feet, the park’s iconic “highest Ferris wheel in the world” appears into view. Following a left turn onto the Pikes Peak Highway, visitors don’t have to travel far to enter into a magical, year-round Christmas.

The place “Santa Claus calls home” comes with unique rides explicitly designed for children, some infant friendly, along with shows, toy and candy shops, a chapel with nativity, custom glass blower, live reindeer and a Christmas store.

The North Pole is home to its very own official U.S. Post Office. Mail addressed to Santa Claus is regularly delivered to the village. Letters and postcards can also be sent out and receive a postmark stamped: “North Pole, Colorado.”

Additionally, toys and gifts purchased at one of the shops can be packaged and sent out directly from the North Pole.

Park facilities are in top-notch condition with beautifully maintained grounds. There are over two dozen rides from which to choose, each carefully curated by owner and CEO Tom Haggard, who lovingly and carefully walks the grounds while maintaining a vigilant watch over park operations.

“I walk the park every day, everywhere, all day long. It never gets old to see people enjoying the rides,” Haggard said in a recent interview with the Pikes Peak Courier.

Haggard remains a fixture at the family-owned park, having spent his childhood summers working the rides and concessions. He was 5 years old in 1956, and would go to the park after school and during summer breaks. At the age of 10, he recalls one of his jobs was to place stickers on the bumpers of visitors’ cars. At the age of 14 he operated the rides.

Haggard is highly aware of the North Pole’s place in history and is committed to the park’s “preservation of a time.”

Over the past several decades, Haggard says they’ve “done a little bit here and there” in adding a few rides or attractions, and in keeping with an authentic, mid-century modern aesthetic and atmosphere.

“It’s not like you make big changes,” he said. “You make little changes along the way. It’s hard to find rides for kids and families. We are not looking for faster or taller. Rather than buy a new ride, if people really like what you have, why change it?

“What we like to have is a ride where, if a child is 2 years old, they can ride it by themselves. It makes them happy.”

Beyond the continual maintenance, ride preservation is ongoing. Restoration and upgrades to the vintage rides are mostly for safety reasons.

“Every ride has its story,” Haggard said. “We don’t make them; we find them and refurbish them. The Sky Ride came from the Buckeye Lake Amusement Park when it shut down. We have rides from North Carolina, Dallas, the old Elitches in Denver. The train came from a private estate. The Ferris wheel came from Chicago.”

The rise in amusement park popularity began during the 1950s with an increase in family road trips. Small, family-owned roadside attractions were constructed throughout the country along major thoroughfares, including Highway 24. To attract more visitors, American theme parks expanded to include bandstands, outdoor concerts and small zoos, focusing on novelty and offering entertainment in addition to thrill rides and concessions. Americans have been flocking to amusement parks to enjoy family-friendly entertainment ever since.

Debuting in 1956, the North Pole remains as a remnant of Americana, representing a simpler time. Owned and operated by the Haggard family, the park was inspired by a similar project in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, based upon a child’s imagination and designed by Walt Disney artist Arto Monaco.

When the park first opened, artisans sold crafts out of the Alpine-style buildings and elaborate puppet shows were staged by famed puppeteer James Gamble. Entertainment now consists of a magic show performed five times daily by Balthazar as performed by longtime employee and magician John Bryan.

Although amusement parks throughout the world often seek to attract patrons with newer, faster, taller and more exciting features, the North Pole strives to embrace and preserve their nostalgia.

According to Haggard, the North Pole has remained relatively true to its original mission and still thrives because the park “stays in its lane.”

“Our purpose has never changed. We haven’t tried to be anything other than what we are,” Haggard said. “Our mission is to bring joy and fun to families with younger children.

Upon entry into Santa’s Workshop, visitors walk through the gate and into an enchanting holiday atmosphere as they are greeted by elves, along with the sound of nostalgic Christmas tunes and laughter. While exploring the Alpine-style village consisting of quaint shops stocked with gifts, ornaments and souvenirs, they may encounter a group of elves, giant snowman or polar bear.

Throughout the park, Christmas tunes unabashedly resonate, interspersed with the sound of authentic antique band organs, and the animated Elmer the Elf performing a country-style musical review.

A train whistle sounds to climb aboard Santa’s train to learn a snippet of history about the park, Pikes Peak and Colorado’s historic Ute Pass. Jump onto the 100-year-old carousel featuring hand-carved horses, or go up, down and around a giant Christmas tree. Watch children’s smiling faces as they experience the joy of flying their own spaceship or driving a Model T.

Between rides, visitors can explore Santa’s village, visit the reindeer barn or gather around a fire ring to warm their hands and rest while roasting marshmallows. Children are invited to share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus: Santa is on-site daily, although he does take a lunch break around 12:30 p.m.

Two restaurants feature classic American food, specialty funnel cakes and hand-dipped ice cream. Guests are welcome to bring their own food to enjoy at the covered picnic pavilion, located near the front of the park.

Like making a trip to “Candyland” the excitement of childlike anticipation begins to bubble up from within; children of all ages begin their journey to make fond memories while sliding down a peppermint slide or riding the classic Tilt-A-Whirl.

Although many of the rides accommodate children of all ages, most of the rides are designed for families and small children. Visitors ages 16 and older can accompany children too small to ride by themselves.

“There are not many places for families with small children. We serve a smaller niche but it’s a loyal niche,” Haggard said. “Visitors to the park are multigenerational. Parents, grandparents who came here as children return with their children, grandchildren to share memories with their families. And that’s special, that’s hard to find. And that’s why we’re here.”

IF YOU GO

PARK DETAILS
The North Pole – Santa’s Workshop
5050 Pikes Peak Highway
Cascade, CO 80809
719-684-9432
northpolecolorado.com
For more information: SantasHelper@santas-colo.com
To Purchase tickets go to: northpolecolorado.com/ride-passes-dates/

MORE DETAILS
The North Pole – Colorado is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. from mid-May through Christmas Eve. It is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday except during the holiday weeks.

Reservations are required on peak days during the holiday months (November and December) and tickets can be purchased up to one week in advance. Peak days are during weekends and holiday weeks. Non-peak days are: Monday, Thursday and Friday (with the exception of holidays).
On non-peak days, ride wristbands can be purchased at the entrance. The last wristband is sold at 3:30 p.m.

Since the North Pole is a “mountain park,” visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and layers of clothing. The park closes at times due to adverse weather conditions during the winter. The best place to check for these closures is on the park’s Facebook page.