Glenwood Springs Trolls
Chantico - Defender of Fire
The name Chantico comes from the Aztec goddess of the family hearth, home and volcanoes. Our Chantico has traveled throughout the world facing the feats of volcanic eruptions and wildfires only to have ended up at Iron Mountain as our newest defender against the dangers of fire.
Chantico’s Story
According to legend, Chantico arrived at Iron Mountain shortly after the Grizzly Creek fire of 2020. She was called upon by Halvor Flowstone to provide additional protection to the mountain and all of its visitors. Powered by the ashes of wildfires past, Chantico experienced these natural disasters firsthand and doesn’t shy away from leading the charge and standing tall at each fire line to protect what’s at stake. Some even say if you ask retired firefighters in the valley, they’ll recount Chantico battling wildfires alongside them, even before Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park was built. While stoic in nature and often misunderstood, Chantico is a relative of Halvor and knows how to get the job done when protecting the park and natural beauty of Iron Mountain. Chantico can’t wait to meet our guests and pose for photos while providing a strong, warm sense of security. Come find her in front of the Defiance Coaster the next time you #GetUpHere.
Halvor Flowstone – Protector of the Cave
Halvor Flowstone, a 14-foot-tall troll, is the newest addition to the kid-friendly attractions at the park. Halvor means Defender of the Rock in Old Norse, and Flowstone is a cave formation that looks like melted cake icing or a frozen waterfall.
Legend has it that Halvor lived with his troll parents 150 feet underneath the ground inside Glenwood Caverns until he was old enough to guard the treasures of King’s Row by himself. King’s Row is the most-highly decorated cave room in Colorado. After living alone for thousands of years, Halvor heard the sounds of laughter once the cave was open to tours. Eventually, he followed those sounds and made his way outside for the first time where he fell in love with the sun, moon and the bright blue skies.
Halvor now serves as honorary Protector of the Cave from his home on the Iron Mountain Trail where he eagerly awaits opening day to make new friends. He’s comfortable seated, ready for kids of all ages to climb onto his feet, legs and lap—or to tickle his chin—and is always smiling for the camera.
Halvor loves having his photo taken. Feel free to sit upon his lap, but please do not climb on his arms, back, shoulders or head as he may get damaged. Thank you for helping us to care for Halvor, as he cares for our caves!
Halvor’s Story
Halvor Flowstone was born a very, very long time ago deep inside Iron Mountain in what is now known as Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It was thousands and thousands of years ago, in fact. His home was 150 feet underneath the ground in Glenwood Caverns. Halvor, which means Defender of the Rock in Old Norse, lived with his troll parents until he was old enough to guard the treasures of King’s Row by himself.
Today, we know that King’s Row is one of the most beautiful and magical places on Earth because we have lights that allow us to enjoy its sparkling formations. But for most of Halvor’s life, it was so dark that he couldn’t even see his own hands if he held them right in front of his face. The magic, though, was there, and he took his job of protecting it very seriously. Even if he didn’t know what it looked like, he knew that it was very special indeed.
It was a peaceful existence and the only life that Halvor had ever known, so he was quite happy. The only sounds he heard, other than when he sang the songs his mother taught him, were when drops of water fell from the top of the cave to the ground below. He got a lot of cave kisses, which is when those drops of water fall onto your head. Every day was the same, unless he had a surprise visit by bats or tiny creatures so small, he couldn’t feel them but could sense their presence.
Then one day not that long ago, everything changed. Halvor heard new sounds. It was as if someone else was singing a happy song. He didn’t know who or what made the wonderful noise, but it made him smile. He looked forward to hearing it and was sad when it went away.
Halvor’s curiosity grew and grew until he finally decided that he had to find out where the sounds were coming from. He crept very slowly from his home at the back of King’s Row. So slowly, it took him a long time to get there. But, oh, when he made it, his life changed forever. For Halvor could finally see what he’d been guarding for so long. There were lights in the cave!
King’s Row was much more beautiful than he’d ever imagined. It sparkled and glistened, with so many shapes and colors that it brought tears to his eyes.
Even though he was still well-hidden, Halvor could see that something was moving. Lots of things, in fact. And that’s where the sounds were coming from. Suddenly, he remembered a story that his father had told him when he was a young troll. It was a story about the people who lived on the mountain before he was born. He’d never really known if it was true or just something made up to help him go to sleep, but now he knew.
People lived with their families, talked, laughed and sang songs just like trolls. And the sound that he’d been hearing was laughter. Halvor stayed in his hiding place at the back of King’s Row for months, sleeping at night and listening during the day. The laughter, especially when it came from the children, made his heart swell until he thought it would burst. For the first time in his life, he felt lonely when there were no people nearby.
When he could take it no more, Halvor made a very big decision. He was going to go outside. One night, he crept through the cave and out onto the mountain. The last step was a little scary, because he had no idea what might await him, but he summoned up all of his courage and kept going.
It was magnificent! The moon was shining down on him and millions of stars twinkled in the sky. The smell of the fresh air and trees and the river below made him feel like he could do anything. As much as he loved the earthy smell of the cave, these new scents made the images around him come to life. He sat down on the ground above the cave and, for the first time, watched as the sun began to rise.
Halvor was so mesmerized by the sight of the mountains and blue sky, and the birds and animals around him, that he forgot where he was. Suddenly, the sound he loved so much—children laughing—startled him and he realized what was happening. He knew that if he moved, he would frighten the people, and they would leave. So Halvor held very still because he did not want to be lonely again.
Nowadays, kids love Halvor so much that they play by his feet and climb onto his lap. Sometimes the grown ups do, too. He never moves, at least not when there are people around, and still takes his job as Protector of the Cave very seriously.
Attractions
- Giddy Up Ride
- This park was a great deal of fun even in winter. The two cave tours were very interesting and had great guides each time with cheesy jokes that made it fun. Altogether the staff was very friendly and helpful and made time spent enjoyable. Greatly encourage a visit!read moreread lessJaron Weese2/29/2024This place was amazing! Both adults and kids loved it. We spent most of the day here – lines got a little longer in afternoon, but nothing terrible. Cave tours were very interesting and neat to see. Highly recommend this place!read moreread lessKathy Chabot2/22/2024Thoroughly enjoyed the Fairy Cave tour, the tour guide made it an enjoyable experience. The Alpine rollercoaster was super fun, much faster if you do it with 2 people! And the park overall was nice, many activities were closed due to winter but our group still had a blast. There were plenty of things to see, the Trolls, the big bear, the breathtaking views. There were no lines for what was open due to it being winter and it being morning. I want to come again in the summer!read moreread lessAline1/30/2024
- Amazing! The caves were breathtaking, unbelievable and unique experience. We had the best tour guide, he made the cave tour so much fun! We went during winter most rides were closed but that’s okay. The pricing and cave tours were so worth it. On top of the gift shop you have an amazing view of the mountains and the city. Breath taking! We want to return for a Sumer experience!read moreread lessCaroline Galvan1/16/2024We loved this park! Some thing for everyone, short lines, some rides operate on a timed basis. Most rides had a height requirement of 48 inches and above. Several rides we could stay on and keep riding as there were hardly any lines. The food was surprisingly good. The weather was great and what views! Appreciate the spirits for adults in the food court. Pack a lunch, bring your water bottle, there are lockers available for rent to store your goods. We will definitely be back, we all had a great time!read moreread lessChoie8211/20/2023We had such a good time! On vacation from Indiana and passed through Glenwood Springs. We decided to stop and stay there on a whim, so glad we did! Caves were awesome, the rides were all thrill rides. Even just riding to the top to look around would be worth the money. It is off season, so some rides were on an alternating schedule but we still made the best of it. Our kids are 7 & 9 and loved it. Would highly recommend! Also had military discounts for tickets.read moreread lessTaylor Stuart11/06/2023
- Braved the roller coasters. Defiance was about a 54-second rush! Loved the Alpine ride! The gondola ride to and from offered breathtaking views!read moreread lessCharla B11/03/2023Always a crowd-pleaser–visited with an extended family group with ages ranging from 2-70. Everyone had a great time with lots of options for the elementary-aged kids, the grandparents, and more challenging attractions for the group in their 20’s. After our gondola ride up, we all enjoyed several trips on the Alpine Coaster–always a thrill! The 20’s -30’s group set off for a previously scheduled “Wild Tour” while the over 60+ group stayed with the kids. We alternated between the 2 caves tours–always informative & engaging as they are led by guides who truly love what they do–and a multitude of age-appropriate attractions for the kids, including laser tag, fossil digging, both smaller roller coasters, a small Ferris wheel and pictures with the trolls after a troll hunt. It was so nice to be able to say “yes” to everything the kids wanted to do with a Fun Day pass. After we reunited with the Wild Tour group, we had plenty of time to explore the Canyon Swing, Defiance, Crystal Tower and the Tree Swings together. The staff is always attentive and friendly and the park is just the right size to explore fully in a day. Even the rest stops in the central plaza were pleasant with live music, convenient restrooms, water bottle refill stations and sunblock. Highly recommended that you spend a day here. You won’t regret it!read moreread lessBrenda Peterson10/06/2023As a rollercoaster freak, I’d been wanting to try Glendwood Caverns Adventure Park for a while. I was not disappointed. The two coaster and, in particular, the Alpine Slide, were thrilling! But the entire place is so lovely and delightful, a very different experience from most amusement parks. You don’t have to be a fan of rides to go. Just a ride up the gondola and a walk around the small park is worth it. And there are “family friendly” rides as well. The staff is incredible… friendly, helpful and everyone seems happy just to be there. The food I had was very good. I can’t wait to go back.read moreread lessTom P9/09/2023