Why we like it
- The original ICEHOTEL
- Situated in Jukkasjärvi, a small village in Northern Sweden
- Rebuilt each winter from snow & ice with visiting artists creating the Art Suites
- Open between December and mid-April
- Activities include snowmobiling, dog-sledding, ice-sculpting and horse tours
About ICEHOTEL Sweden
The ICEHOTEL of northern Sweden is the world's first and largest hotel built entirely from snow and ice. Each winter visitors flock to the small village of Jukkasjärvi - with a population of almost as many dogs as people - to experience a unique night's sleep in the Arctic Circle's sub-zero temperatures and to witness the stunning northern lights.
Tons of harvested Torne River ice and "snice" (a mixture of snow and ice used to strengthen the structure) are kept in storage over the warm summer months before the hotel construction begins in early November, and just under one month later the hotel is complete and ready to open its doors to the many eager ice dwellers once more.
Approximately 100 people are involved in the skilled construction of this beautiful and modern hotel, and artists and designers from around the globe visit each year to put their creative and innovative mark on one of the art suites.
Choose to stay one night in the cold accommodation and then a few more in the warm accommodation. On arrival, you will check in at a smaller building neighbouring the hotel, reserved exclusively for guests staying in the cold accommodation; this building stays open 24 hours a day and houses a sauna, cosy log fire and hot lingonberry juice whenever you need it.
Before spending the night in any of the snowy suites, you will receive a full safety brief informing you on appropriate attire and how to make your bed with your arctic sleeping bag. The sleeping bags provided are designed for use in temperatures down to -25° C, but as the internal hotel temperature never drops below -5° C they will be more than adequate for a comfortable night's sleep.