Inside a Real-Life Palace of Ice and Snow
The first iteration of the ICEHOTEL in Sweden opened back in 1989. A huge hit with tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights and the midnight sun, it averaged over 50,000 visitors a year. And now, the same location will stay open throughout the year -ICEHOTEL 365- the world’s first permanent ice and snow hotel.
Since the frozen structure requires sub-zero climate, it had only been available between mid-December and mid-April about four months every year. But there was no dearth of people wishing to stay at the frozen structure in other times of the year. Now, instead of being built and rebuilt each winter, it will be the first frozen accommodation to stay open year-round.
Located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, over 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the ICEHOTEL 365 is a 2,100 square meter structure that houses 20 luxury suites, a fully-stocked "ice bar" and a funky "ice gallery." The core of the structure is a steel construction with an inbuilt cooling system. It is covered by several tons of ice and snow, covering the walls, ground and ceiling. All rooms sport intricate ice carvings and sculptures with a modernist touch.
While the arctic freeze will keep the structure standing for most of the year, it will also be covered in grass and also pumped with chilled air from a solar-powered refrigerating plant during warmer months. Parts of the hotel will continue to melt as usual, and also be rebuilt - thus bringing us fresh new icy artworks to enjoy each year.
