The world-renowned Icehotel in Sweden has officially opened its doors for the 2024/2025 season. Located in the village of Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, this one-of-a-kind hotel is rebuilt annually since its inception in 1989.
In preparation for the 35th season, 26 artists from 13 countries collaborated to create 12 unique suites, each showcasing intricate ice sculptures. The themes range from a rhinoceros breaking through the hotel’s walls to an underwater fantasy world.
Guests who choose the “Flight” suite will sleep on a bed surrounded by lifelike ice-carved birds. Another suite, “Come Warm Up,” designed by Isabelle Gasse and Joël Gagnon, invites visitors into the cozy nest of a black-capped chickadee.
The “Oops! Wrong Room” suite, featuring a rhinoceros breaking through an icy wall, symbolizes sudden life changes, explained its creator, Swedish artist Annasofia Maag. Meanwhile, the “Nacken” suite immerses visitors in the mystical underwater realm of a nix, a legendary creature said to dwell near water bodies.
This year’s main hall, nearly 30 meters long, dazzles with handcrafted chandeliers made from 220 ice crystals. The newly unveiled Ceremony Hall is adorned with intricate snow flowers. Guests can also enjoy drinks at the Icebar, themed around space exploration, complete with a life-sized ice astronaut sculpture.
In addition to the artistic accommodations, visitors can partake in snowmobile rides, Northern Lights tours, sauna experiences, ice sculpting workshops, and outdoor dining.
Construction of the Icehotel begins in the spring, with ice blocks harvested from the nearby Torne River and stored in a special facility. The hotel itself is built over six weeks using 500 tons of ice and a snow-ice mix known as “snis,” equivalent to the volume of ten Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Guests are advised to dress warmly, as the hotel’s internal temperature is maintained at a chilly −5°C to preserve the sculptures.
For those seeking a truly unique Arctic experience, the Icehotel promises an unforgettable stay, blending art, nature, and adventure in the frozen wilderness of northern Sweden.
