With winter approaching fast and temperatures rapidly dropping, the possibility of frozen precipitation will increase. Snow can be a fun and beautiful adornment for the world around us, but it’s often a major annoyance and ice is a downright hazard most of the time. This remains true in the Zelda universe as well, which has regularly depicted it’s wintry locations as visually striking, but harsh and inhospitable. Ice-themed dungeons frequently rank among the most devious, containing some of the most frigidly frustrating mechanics in their respective games. The Zelda series has many memorable snow and ice areas, but which is your favorite?

A Link to the Past introduced the series’ first ice-based dungeon, the Ice Palace, sitting amidst the Dark World’s glacial Lake Hylia. With its slippery floors and unique navigation, this dungeon would set the tone for most ice dungeons to come. Ocarina of Time‘s Ice Cavern is just a mini-dungeon, but Majora’s Mask turns up the complexity with the central pillar of Snowhead Temple. In The Minish Cap, Temple of Droplets bizarrely presents the boss key at the dungeon’s outset, but requires some exploring to actually obtain it. Twilight Princess is the gold standard of thematic dungeons, but Snowpeak Ruins separates itself even within that game. I think the presentation and progression in this chilly mansion make it the best ice dungeon in the series.

Most of these icy labyrinths exist within a larger snowy region in the respective game’s overworld. While usually gorgeous, the appearance of snow often foreshadows a somber sight. I’ve always loved seeing the first flurries at Zora’s River in Ocarina of Time‘s adult era, or the bitter loneliness of the Mountain Village in Majora’s Mask, but that wonder is swept away when I see the eventual consequences. While I do think Snowpeak Temple is the best ice dungeon, navigating up Snowpeak Mountain is one of the most annoying aspects of Twilight Princess, especially while hunting for poe souls. Special mention should also be made for the northern Hebra region in Breath of the Wild. Despite the singular theme, Hebra actually has multiple distinct landscapes from mountains, to habitable tundra, to winter wasteland. I also appreciate the clothing and potion decisions the region forces the player to make.

What about you? What is your favorite snow or ice area in the Zelda series? Do you like ice dungeons and snowy areas? Let us know in the comments below!

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