Ice Hotel in Sweden and in Canada

Photo Jan Jordan© - Art Thomas Wingate 04/05 Self-Similarity

ICEHOTEL Art & Design

Welcome to our ICEHOTEL made from the frozen water of the Torne River.

Photo Jan Jordan© - Skulpture Lena Kriström-Kulin 03/04 How it all began If it is possible to build a hotel of ice in a small village 200km inside the Arctic Circle, which strikes the whole world with amazement, then anything is possible. The story of ICEHOTEL is indeed a fairy tale come true. The free flowing Torne River is the origin and artery of ICEHOTEL. From the river, the ice of ICEHOTEL is borrowed each year. And it is here, on the river shores in the village of Jukkasjärvi that our story begins. Photo Peter Grant© It started off as a summer destination The company Jukkas (present day ICEHOTEL) has been a tourist operator in the region since the 1970s. For many years the company focus was on the summer season and the magnificent outdoor experiences offered by the land of the midnight sun. During the dark winter the river was frozen and the people of the small village of Jukkasjärvi went into hibernation. Cold and darkness as an experience By the end of the 1980s it was decided to turn things around. Instead of viewing the dark and cold winter as a disadvantage, the unique elements of the arctic were to be regarded an asset. Inspired by the work of visiting Japanese ice artists, in 1990 the French artist Jannot Derit was invited to have the opening of his exhibition in a specially built igloo on the frozen Torne River. The 60 square metre building named Artic Hall attracted many curious visitors to the area. Photo Peter Grant© Photo Jan Jordan© Design Tjåsa Gusfors ICEHOTEL known all over the world One night a group of foreign guests, equipped with reindeer hides and sleeping bags, decided it would be a good idea to use the cylindrical shaped igloo as accommodation. The following morning the brave group raved about the unique sensation of sleeping in an igloo. Hence, the concept of ICEHOTEL was born. A lot has happened since. Today ICEHOTEL is world famous for its unique concept, its fantastic works of art and its extraordinary experiences. The fairy tale nature of ICEHOTEL brings out the child in guests of all ages.

ICEHOTEL® The original hotel built of ice and snow since 1990 ICEHOTEL® Jukkasjärvi Sweden. Every winter for almost two decades we've built a unique hotel of snow and ice. ICEHOTEL is situated in the village ...www.icehotel.com/

Photographs of the Ice Hotel, Jukkas Järvi, Sweden A photographic tour of the Ice Hotel in Jukkas Järvi in Lapland in the Arctic Circle, Sweden, shot on holiday in December 2000.www.head-space.org/ice/index.html

How to sleep in Ice Hotel:
-See if you can reserve a double sleeping bag for solo use, especially if you’re a stomach sleeper.
-Don’t over dress, a thin silk or wool layer will be more than enough. Wear silk socks under your wool ones in case your feet get overheated.
-Don’t worry, you won’t have to sleep with the bag completely covering your face.
-You will be sleeping on a foam egg crate foundation so it’s not really hard or uncomfortable.
-A family bed with bickering adult children is not conducive to a restful Ice Hotel experience. The family beds are plenty big enough, though.
-You WILL have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Even if you don’t drink anything. Drink liberally at the Ice Bar to make this experience worth while. I didn’t even suit back up; just scooted over to the warm bathroom area clad in boots and long underwear.
-Have a watch or small clock with you since there is no other way to know when the Ice Hotel person will be arriving with your hot Lingonberry Juice. Don’t allow klutzy adult daughter to set hers down-Lingonberry Juice stains snow.

 

Then off to Canada:

ICE HOTEL IMAGES

PICTURE TOUR
We have a "guided tour" with images and information about the Ice Hotel. Whenever you see a "360" link you can "step" into that part of the Ice Hotel.

PROFESSIONAL PICTURES
In this section, you will find pictures taken by our official photographer Xavier Dachez. They include rooms and areas of the Ice Hotel.

VIDEOS
Watch our short promotional video and get a taste of the wonder that is the Ice Hotel.

N'ICE PICTURES
Here are some very N'Ice pictures taken by Sandra Bellefoy, friend and ambassador to the Ice Hotel.