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The Ice Hotel

© Roxanne Nelson

Much of Europe is quite cold in February. The sun is slowly beginning to return to the far north, but it's still not exactly what one would call balmy. Most visitors contemplating a winter vacation generally don't consider Scandinavia as their first choice, especially, not north of the Arctic Circle.

But if you want the experience of spending the night in the Ice Hotel, then winter it is. Otherwise, once the warm sun begins to shine, it turns to slushy water. The name says it all--this is a hotel built of ice and snow. It is one of the most unlikely success stories, but now tens of thousands journey to the tiny hamlet of Jukkasjaervi, located 100 miles above the Arctic Circle and in the heart of the Swedish Lapland, to spend the night in the world's biggest igloo.

Every autumn, as soon as the temperatures begin to dive, a brand new architectural wonder rises from the icy landscape. The Ice Hotel, called Jukkos by the region's locals, begins to magically emerge from more than 1,500 tons of ice and 2,000 tons of snow. Because it is rebuilt every year (not many other hotels can boast that type of renovation), it has a fresh new look each season.

Up to 100 guests can be accommodated at a time, and as you may have guessed, the hotel is cold inside. It is heated solely by burning candles and the body heat of guests and staff. Upon arrival, you will be outfitted immediately with insulated warm clothing. At night you will sleep in sleeping bags made of reindeer skins....most visitors do find that they sleep quite well.

At the ice bar, you can get a vodka served in an ice glass. But don't drink too much--you don't want to have to get out of your cozy bed to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. The facilities are located in a separate building, for the obvious reason that it would be difficult to have running water in a structure made of ice.

The Facts

The Ice Hotel is open every year from December to April. It is demolished in May, as it begins a meltdown.

It will not collapse, have no fear. The hotel is about as sturdy as it gets. Rocket propelled grenades tested by the Swedish military had minimal impact on the walls.

The hotel will be happy to arrange activities for you, including snowmobiling and dog sledding. There is also a sauna in the hotel.