Sweden’s ICEHOTEL – the world’s first (since 1989) – has opened in doors for the season, inviting guests to sleep surrounded by shimmering art made of ice and snow created by 33 artists from 12 countries, including Canada. A highlight this year is a grand piano – a full-scale piano made of ice – which will be played during the winter season.
Upon entering ICEHOTEL 36’s unique doors, guests arrive in the 30-metre-long Main Hall Cathedral Grove, created by Canadian artists Brian McArthur and Dawn Detarando, where a glistening forest of icy treetops stretches all the way up to the ceiling. In the Ceremony Hall ECHO, wedding couples can say yes to love, and visitors are welcome to sit among the art to quietly experience the beauty and silence.
Located in in Jukkasjärvi, about 18 km north of Kiruna, and 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, the creation of ICEHOTEL began in March, when ice was harvested from the Torne River; construction of the 2,800-sq. m. winter hotel started in November with a team of 89 builders, artists, lighting designers and art support, working side by side to transform ice and snow into world-class art.
The structure includes 20 ice rooms, plus 12 art suites where guests can sleep in the eye of the storm in ‘Sweep Me Off My Feet,’ lose themselves in a world of bubbles in the suite ‘Soap Bubbles’, settle in and read one of the stories from the frozen ICEHOTEL archive, or experience the force of a black hole in ‘Spaghettification.’
This year four Canadian artists were involved: Sandra St-Laurent and Mylène Leboeuf-Gagné created the art suite ‘An Otter’s Midwinter Night’s Dream,’ while Brian McArthur and Dawn Detarando created the ‘Main Hall: Cathedral Grove.’
Activities
Outdoors, the Arctic experience for guests includes ice sculpting, snowmobile tours to witness the northern lights, dog sledding, a traditional sauna ritual, and a wilderness dinner by open fire.
At the Veranda, guests can enjoy a Chef’s Table with a 12-course tasting menu inspired by local ingredients and the eight Sámi seasons.
“At ICEHOTEL, the guests truly become part of nature. Sleeping among art made of ice and snow, feeling the cold and the deep silence, or standing on the frozen Torne River watching the stars and the Northern Lights – something happens inside you. These are the moments we hope our guests bring home with them: quiet, beautiful, unforgettable,” says Marie Herrey, CEO of ICEHOTEL.
Year-round
In the year-round section of the hotel, guests will find cozy rooms and cabins, and 18 art and deluxe suites, plus an Ice Gallery and ICEBAR In Orbit.
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