❄️ Frozen Dead Guy Days | The Wild Story of Grandpa Bredo

Some stories feel like they can’t be real… and then you find out they absolutely are.

This is one of those stories.

It starts with a man who lived a completely normal life—and somehow became the center of one of the most unique festivals in the United States.

His name was Bredo Morstøl.

🇳🇴 A Simple Life in Norway

Bredo Morstøl was born in Norway in 1900.

For over 30 years, he served as the Director of Recreation in Bærum County—living what most would consider a quiet, ordinary life. Nothing flashy. Nothing unusual.

Just a man, a career, and a life well lived.

But what happened after his death… is what turned his story into something unforgettable.

🧊 A Death That Changed Everything

On November 6, 1989, Bredo passed away from a heart condition.

And this is where the story takes a turn.

His grandson, Trygve Bauge, was deeply involved in the cryonics movement—a belief that the human body can be preserved after death in hopes that future science may one day bring it back to life.

Along with Bredo’s daughter Aud Morstøl, they made a decision that would set everything in motion.

Because Norway didn’t have the proper cryogenic facilities at the time…Bredo was transported to Oakland, California.

Packed in dry ice.

Preserved with hope.

🏔️ From California to Colorado

Eventually, due to a mix of circumstances—mostly financial—Bredo was moved again.

This time to Nederland.

He was placed inside a Tuff Shed on private property owned by Aud and Trygve.

And for a while… that’s where he stayed.

⚖️ When Things Unraveled

Then everything started to fall apart.

Trygve was deported due to visa issues.

Aud remained but was eventually evicted from the property.

And then came the moment that changed everything—

A reporter discovered the frozen body and alerted authorities.

This led to a brand-new law: No keeping dead bodies in homes.

But here’s the twist…

They made one exception.

Bredo was literally grandfathered in (pun fully intended).

And just like that—he stayed.

🧊 The Locals Step In

For decades, the local community in Nederland quietly took care of him.

Regular deliveries of dry ice kept his body preserved.

One man, known as “The Ice Man,” became his longtime caretaker—making sure Bredo remained frozen through the years.

It’s one of those uniquely human stories—strange, yes—but also oddly heartfelt.

🏨 A New Home: The Stanley Hotel

In August 2023, Bredo was moved once again.

This time to The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park—

The same historic hotel that inspired The Shining.

Today, he’s known affectionately as “Grandpa Bredo.”

He now rests inside a liquid nitrogen cryonics facility, where his story continues to draw curiosity from people all over.

🎉 Frozen Dead Guy Days Is Born

What started as a strange local story turned into something much bigger.

In 2002, the Nederland Area Chamber of Commerce created a festival to celebrate—and share—this unforgettable tale.

And just like that…

Frozen Dead Guy Days was born.

🎭 The Festival That Became a Phenomenon

Now held in Estes Park, this festival has grown into a full-blown cultural event.

📅 March 27–29

And yes… it’s exactly as wild (and fun) as it sounds.

Signature events include:

• ⚰️ Coffin races

• ❄️ Polar plunge

• 🚗 Hearse parade

• 👴 Frozen Dead Guy look-alike contest

• 👕 Frozen t-shirt contest

• 💃 Royal Blue Ball

• 🐟 Frozen salmon tossing

• 
  

And the food? Just as themed:

• Bloody Mary brunches

• Blue “Frozen Dead Guy” ice cream

• And plenty of creative festival eats

  
  

What started as a marketing idea…has turned into a one-of-a-kind experience people travel for every year.

💭 A Story That Still Feels Unbelievable

At the heart of it all is a simple thought:

A man who lived a quiet life in Norway…now celebrated by thousands in Colorado.

It’s strange. It’s fascinating. It’s oddly beautiful in its own way.

And who knows—

Maybe one day, science will catch up to the dream that started all of this.

And Grandpa Bredo might just wake up…to a festival thrown in his honor.

Here at Vibe USA, we absolutely love the quirky side of life—and this festival is right up our alley. We’re hoping to experience it in person one day ourselves. Some of the images shared here are from past years, as these were the ones we could respectfully use with proper permissions. Hopefully one day we’ll be there capturing our own moments to share with you. If you’ve ever been to Frozen Dead Guy Days, we’d love to hear all about your experience!

📸 Image Credits: Coffin Race photo by Yared0319 (Team Fossil 2018 FDGD Final Race, Nederland, Colorado) and Tuff Shed Cryogenic Mausoleum photo by rickpawl (Nederland, Colorado) | Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 and Creative Commons Attribution 2.0