Sleeping in an “ice hotel” is usually something that people will want to do for just one night. Everything in the room is made of snow and ice, except for the mattress, which is covered by reindeer skins. And then guests sleep in sleeping bags that are tugged so tightly shut, there is only room to stick out their mouth and nose. But otherwise, even the bed itself is made of ice, and a room that is made of snow and ice is, by definition, cold.
But these “ice hotels” are not just glorified igloos. All of that ice and snow can be carved into stunning images and sculptures, which use lights and shadows to paint a palette with countless shades of white, creating beautiful, hypnotizing designs that swirl along the walls.
The first ice hotel was built in northern Sweden, back in 1989, and several others have emerged in other countries including Canada, Finland, and Japan. Each hotel is a masterpiece: some have lobbies draped with ice chandeliers, and ice chapels, like the Ice Church at Icehotel (photo above). In the countries of Europe and in Canada, same-gender weddings are legal, and the ice chapels warmly welcome all couples.
These properties also include permanent structures like hotel rooms, restaurants, and blessedly warm bathrooms, because some experiences don’t need to be entirely authentic. But there is a lot to enjoy in the cold, like snowmobiling and dog sledding, or just cozy up for an evening under a blanket and watch the Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the stunning “northern lights.”
Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure
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