Sweden's Famous Icehotel Rebuilt Every Winter Since 1989

Located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, a remarkable hotel is constructed entirely from natural ice and snow every single year. Because the structure melts away each spring, builders and artists begin the rebuilding process anew ahead of the winter season.

The concept began in 1989 when artist Yngve Bergqvist housed stranded visitors inside an ice art exhibit called the Arctic Hall. Provided with warm sleeping bags and instructions, the guests spent the night comfortably, inadvertently launching the creation of the ice lodging.

Building the structure requires massive blocks of ice harvested from the nearby Torne River, alongside a durable mixture of snow and ice called snice. Artists, designers, and engineers gather annually to construct the hotel, completing the build in about six weeks.

Visitors sleeping in the ice rooms utilize specialized bedding designed for sub-zero environments, though warmer accommodations are also available on the property. The destination is accessible via a short flight from Stockholm to Kiruna Airport, followed by a brief transfer, or through a long-distance train journey.