Celebrate “Hogwarts in the Snow” at the WB Studio Tour London – watch special video

by · November 20, 2013

UPDATE: Check out these amazing images as the crew prepares Hogwarts Castle for the winter snow:

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Today, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter unveils the most magical snowfall of the season, the breathtaking Hogwarts Castle model covered in a blanket of snow. From Friday, November 15, 2013, visitors will get the chance to see the castle as it has never been seen before, with its iconic festive look recreated for the first time.

The artificial snow used on the Hogwarts Castle model throughout the Harry Potter film series was actually dendritic salt. It was chosen because it clumps like snow and even squeaks when walked on. During filming, a member of the crew would have climbed aboard a cherry picker and put salt on the model by hand with a sieve – like dusting sugar onto a cake. The same process has been used at the Studio Tour this November, and samples of the different types of salt used will also be on display.

Model effects supervisor Jose Granell commented:

It’s great to be back at the Studio Tour and to be snowing the Hogwarts model. We’ve spent a week sprinkling the snow on by hand, and the finished effect is really beautiful. It looks exactly like it did when we were filming the Harry Potter film series, and it’s something very magical to enjoy this Christmas.

Some of the intricately-detailed sets showcased at the attraction have been given a festive makeover using the actual decorations and food props seen in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Eight Christmas trees will line the Great Hall, along with festoons of holly, mistletoe, and golden wreaths. Two long dining tables will be dressed as they were for seasonal feasts with prop versions of turkeys, hams, fruit, vegetables, plum puddings, and snow cakes. The food featured in the feasts throughout the early films was real; however, the Set Decoration Department later used artificial food created from powder and resin.

Visitors will see the hand-knitted sweaters that Molly Weasley gave Ron and Harry for Christmas in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Other costumes on display will include the first Christmas present Harry received at Hogwarts – his Invisibility Cloak – and the dress Luna Lovegood wore to the Slug Club Christmas party in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Hogwarts in the Snow was scheduled to run from Friday, November 15 to Monday, January 6, 2014, and all extra activities are included in the ticket price. However, according to the news alert from the WB Studio Tour, Hogwarts in the Snow will be extended to Sunday, January 12, 2014.

Special treat: You can watch a time lapse video of the Hogwarts Castle model as it was covered with a blanket of snow during the festive makeover. The video allows you to navigate around the model and unlock exclusive content, including an interview with special effects supervisor John Richardson. Watch the time lapse video right here.

Be sure to order your ticket in advance by heading over to the WB Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter website right here.

**Don’t forget to read the MuggleNet review of Hogwarts in the Snow with our own staff member Claire, who had an early tour of the event. Check it out right here.**