Icehotel

 
Photographer: Ben Nilsson/Big Ben Productions
ICEHOTEL: Entrance

From the Ice Age to the Present 

Ten thousand years ago, glaciers carved a riverbed and the Torne River was born. Since then, the crystal-clear, pure water of the Torne River has flowed freely along its 600-kilometer path through Lapland out to the sea in the southeast.
The entire ICEHOTEL is on loan from the mighty Torne River and is a place where time stands still.  And very soon, when the spring comes and then finally the entire creation will once again become part of the rushing rapids coursing toward the sea.

The story about a hotel made of ice and snow

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.

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.

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.

A night to remember

Staying at ICEHOTEL is a must for the modern adventurer – an experience utterly unlike other hotel stays.

 At ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi you can choose between several different types of accommodation. The ideal is to combine one cold night in ICEHOTEL with several warm nights in our hotel rooms or hotel chalets. This in order to fully enjoy the ICEHOTEL experience.

homepage: ICEHOTEL