Icewind Dale is an arctic tundra located in the Frozenfar region of the North, known for being the northernmost explored region in all of Faerûn. It earned its name from the harsh winds and icy storms that destroy the buildings and scoure the landscape.
The dale is a harsh, near-uninhabitable land that regularly plunges below freezing temperatures, and receives little sunlight, particularly during the severe winter months. It is home to only the most hardened of frontiersmen, pioneers, and barbarians. Beyond the sporadic dots of civilization dwell terrifying beasts and deadly monsters of the North.
Icewind Dale experiences freezing temperatures for much of the year. While kinder summer months range from 11 ℉ to 70 ℉ (–12 ℃ to 21 ℃), the temperature of the unforgiving winters dipped as low as -40 ℉ (-40 ℃). While snowfall is relentless, much of it blows east to the nearby Reghed Glacier.
The dale is located south and east of the Trackless Sea, north of the upper Sword Coast and Spine of the World mountains, and west of the icy Reghed Glacier.
The dale was famous for its three mineral-laden lakes: Maer Dualdon, Lac Dinneshere, and Redwaters. Their waters were cold enough to kill men who dared to swim across, even during summer.
- Maer Dualdon: The largest and deepest of the three lakes was once the premier destination for all who dared the trek that far north.
- Lac Dinneshere: The waters of the lake appeared to change in hue depending on the weather that was just about to wash over the dale.
- Redwaters: The smallest lake earned its name from a bloody battle that took place on the land over which towns were built.
- Redrun: This stream flowed from Lac Dinneshere into the small Redwaters lake.
- Shaengarne River: While the waters of this river flowed into the Trackless Sea year-round, its top waters froze over during winter.
Roads in Icewind Dale are scarce and lots of overland travel happens off the beaten path. Two that are notable are:
- Eastway: The only paved road in Icewind Dale linked the hub of Bryn Shander with the communities of Lac Dinneshere
- Ten Trail: This wagon trail led north from the settlement of Hundelstone, through the North/South Pass, allowing merchants and travelers to make their way to Bryn Shander.