Going, Going, Gone! The Short But Wonderful Season of the Ice Hotel...

When I say this may be the coolest hotel out there but it won't be around long, it's not an exaggeration!  It's the Ice Hotel.  You may have a hard time grasping this, but just visualize an oversized igloo.  But, not just any igloo!  Read along....

There are only three Ice Hotels in the world.  The original Ice Hotel started and Sweden, there is one in Norway and the only one to give you this beautiful nordic experience in North America is located in Canada.

The Ice Hotel (known as Hotel de Glace in Canada) is located just 30 minutes outside of Quebec City and was first built in 2001.  Each year the Ice Hotel is sculpted and built from scratch by well-known artists and sculptors in a mere five weeks.   Over 15,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of snow go into making this luxurious "igloo".  And, since it is totally rebuilt each year, you will never have the same experience no matter how many times you go.  It is usually open from the first week in January until the third week in March when warmer weather comes around and then mother nature naturally takes it down until it turns into a puddle.

There are 36 rooms and themed suites.  In the photo above the bed was carved like a sleigh which was led by ice sculptured horses and the walls were carved trees to resemble taking a sleigh ride in the forest. I wish I could show you a better photo of this, but I'm missing some of my photos which is killing me!

Each year artists are chosen to come in and design all of the rooms, the lobby, the reception desk, the bar,  the cafe, the chapel and the exterior (ALL made of snow and ice) so there are no two rooms alike and the entirity of the hotel has a whole new look each year.  The larger suites at the hotel boasts a fireplace while the largest suite has not only a fireplace, but it has it's own private spa.  Everything is made of snow and ice -- the chairs, the beds, the archways, the walls, the tables, the dishes and even the glasses you drink from at the bar.  When nighttime arrives, overnight guests are given arctic sleeping bags that are surprisingly comfortable and warm considering that you are sleeping on a block of ice!  Additionally, there is a sauna and spa that is open from 9:00p.m. until 9:00a.m. for overnight guests.

To keep the hotel and it's design intact, the temperature is kept at a cool 29 degrees, but since there is no wind, it is not as cold as you would imagine.

                       At night, the Ice Hotel illuminates in all of its glory.

My oldest daughter is that shadowy figure in the below photo.  Granted it's a pretty awful photo if you're trying to have a photo of a person, but it's a great photo to show off the chapel on the grounds.  Weddings are very popular at the Ice Hotel.  It is truly stunning as it is all made of ice and snow just like the rest of the hotel. The stain glass window in the photo below is painted ice.

Other activities include dogsledding, igloo-making, ice fishing, cross country skiing, skiing, and snow shoeing for hotel guests.

If sleeping on a block of ice doesn't float your boat, they do offer tours of the hotel during the day until 8:00pm. when they start letting guests back into their rooms.   Try to go right before dusk, because the lighting at the hotel is spectacular at night.  Day trip or overnight stay....it is a must!

An experience of a lifetime.  It's a magical wonder of what man can do with snow and ice.  It's the ultimate nordic adventure.  So unique and unforgettable.  To get more information on this ultra cool hotel go to www.hoteldeglace-canada.com  and make your plans before mother nature takes it away for another year.


TRAVEL M GIRL