Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen — How to Use the Mountain Stronghold Elevator (The Castle in the Ice)

During The Castle in the Ice, the objective “Find a path leading east through the stronghold” points you at a wooden elevator tucked behind the Mountain Stronghold’s hall. The catch is that it takes two separate interactions to ride, and ghouls attack while the platform is on its way. Here is exactly where it sits and how to get the platform moving.

Finding the winch house behind the hall

Enter Mountain Stronghold through the large double wooden doors to reach the pillared hall. There is a spot to make camp on its floor. Exit by way of the icicle-draped opening.

In the frozen room just beyond, a wooden chest beside the parapet contains Abandoned Supplies (Rare) x3. Continue up the stone steps between the pair of icicle-covered pillars to reach an exposed, snowy slope.

Follow the snow path past frosted bushes to a broken wooden barricade; a ghoul waits on this stretch. On the far side, look for a high wooden structure built against the stone wall; it has a plank deck, with a barrel and crate at its edge. This is the winch house, next to an entrance into a stone chamber. The hall and the route to this point are on the stronghold map’s 1F level.

Calling and riding the elevator

The elevator takes two uses to work. The first one only summons the platform to you. The second, done from the platform itself, carries you to the far landing.

Step onto the winch house’s plank deck and first collect the glowing Climbing Hook from the winch frame’s side. Choose “Pick Up” when prompted. This item is a loose pickup, not a requirement for using the elevator, so collect it before boarding.

The Pick Up prompt and the Climbing Hook label on the winch frame, under the big wooden wheel of the winch house — “Pick Up” (F on PC) with the label “Climbing Hook” on the side of the winch frame.

Stand at the winch post, the short frame of squared wooden posts bound with rope, and use “Examine.”

The Examine prompt beside the Arisen standing at the wooden winch post on the plank floor — “Examine” (F on PC) at the winch post.

The banner reads “You found an elevator.”

The quest banner for The Castle in the Ice reading You found an elevator, with the Arisen beside the rope-bound winch post — The banner “The Castle in the Ice” / “You found an elevator.” after the first use of the winch post.

Nothing arrives yet, because the platform has to travel to you.

Examine prompt on the winch post — Examine the winch post to call the platform — this first use does not move you anywhere yet. Shown at 274:28 in Shirrako’s video. Image: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.

Wait in the winch house for the platform to come across. Ghouls come at you in the stone chamber beside it, while heavy icicles drop from above and shatter on the floor; avoid standing beneath them. When the ice has fallen, you can collect Glacial Ore from the debris. There’s also a dark wooden chest against the chamber wall containing Fungal Cure-All, which you can open while waiting.

No “Examine” prompt at the winch post? There are still ghouls near the winch house. Take them out, put away your weapon, then approach the post once more to bring up the prompt.

When you see the banner “The elevator arrived.”, the platform has reached the winch house. Its wide plank deck hangs from iron chains. Board it, then use the second crank post, positioned on the deck between the chains. That second interaction starts the journey across.

The crank post on the elevator platform inside the timber winch house — The crank on the platform deck is the second use, after the winch post has brought the platform. Shown at 275:36 in Shirrako’s video. Image: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.

Keep the entire party aboard the deck as it travels into the darkness; the ride lasts less than a minute. At the end, the platform stops at a snowy stone landing and displays “You arrived east of the stronghold.” Step off to change the objective to “Make for Lorade Castle.”

Opening the gate at the far landing

A closed portcullis blocks the way straight ahead. On the stone wall beside it hangs a parchment notice with a wooden chest beneath it. Read the notice and it warns: “Beware: this elevator is destined for the Norgan Snowfield. Ensure you are duly prepared ere you set forth, for one’s bearings are easily lost amid the unchanging snowscape.” Close it with “Confirm.”

The chest below the notice contains Fine Vitalic Drench, Vitalic Drench x2 and a Heatstone. Farther along that wall, a carved stone casing holds a lever with a red handle. Select “Examine” to swing the lever and lift the portcullis.

A red-handled lever in a carved stone housing at the far landing — Examine the red-handled lever in its carved stone housing to raise the portcullis. Shown at 276:36 in Shirrako’s video. Image: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.

Pass beneath the lifted portcullis, with its spikes overhead, and the area title “Norgan Snowfield” will appear.

The notice cautions you about getting lost, but the cold is the other problem. The Heatstone in the landing chest “retains the heat of a campfire” and wards off the chilled debilitation temporarily. Before entering the snow, use one from the Items menu.

Riding back later in the quest

Later in the quest, you can use the elevator to return from the stronghold side. Board the platform in the winch house, then operate the crank post on its deck. This return ride triggers no new prompt or objective text.

Hold the winch house, keep out from under the falling ice, and the platform arrives on its own — then it is just a short ride and one lever to reach the Norgan Snowfield.