In 1989 an exhibition igloo called Art-ic was built right on top of the frozen river of Torne. Hundreds of visitors were amazed by the 60m2 art gallery, and some of them even spent the night there. The Icehotel was born.

Since the hotel is made of ice and snow, it melts down every spring. Therefore, every winter it is built up again. Near the end of October a dozen resident artists and construction workers start working.

In the darkness of December, when the main building is almost finished, the interior construction work begins and continues through to the end of January. The artists saw and carve the ice to create windows, doors, pillars, desks, chairs, lamps and statues.

Unfortunately it is not possible to stay in the Icehotel until the end of January but you can stay in an igloo in the Icehotel Art Centre all year round.

The Art Centre itself is a 1500m2 freezer building, with an exhibition made of ice and snow.

Staying in the hotel
If you are hardy enough to stay the night, a suite will cost you about £450. This includes a thermal suit, thermal sleeping bags and a cup of warm berry juice to wake you up. You also get a sauna and breakfast. Meals are served in the warm restaurant across the road. You can book via the ice hotel web site at www.icehotel.com