Every November something extraordinary happens in the village of Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland as construction begins on a fresh, never before seen, iteration of the world’s original and most spectacular hotel made of ice.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Icehotel 35 opened its doors on 13 December 2024 revealing a collection of magnificent new Art Suites created around the iconic main hall. 26 artists from 13 countries together with a dedicated team of builders, lighting designers, ice production and artist support teams have turned 500 tonnes of ice and 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools of “snis” – a mixture of snow and ice – into the most exquisite and innovative place to lay your head.
“A warm November delayed the start of the construction season, making this winter particularly challenging, but once again, an amazing team succeeded in finishing ICEHOTEL 35 just in time for the opening. The artists’ commitment resulted in 14 unique art projects, which will perfectly celebrate our 35th anniversary!”
Luca Roncoroni, Creative Director at Icehotel
This winter’s hotel will see guests sleeping next to a huge, disorientated rhinoceros, in an immersive hideaway and surrounded by birds in flight. There’s a suite dedicated to Sami craftmanship and another drawing on ancient myths and legends.
As well as the 12 suites, 20 ice rooms complete guest accommodation, while floral splendour adorns the new Ceremony Hall crafted by UK duo Kate Munro and Lisa Lindqvist. Next door to the seasonal hotel, Icehotel365 boasts a newly created ICEBAR themed around a space journey. Sip a cocktail from your ice glass beside a life-sized ice astronaut, then exit via a slide carved from ice and snow!
There’s no doubt, this is a truly amazing hotel but so much more than that. The Icehotel is also a frozen art gallery, filled with imaginative and beautifully sculpted ice art, which melts back into the river Torne in spring.
WHOOPS WRONG ROOM!! by AnnaSofia Mååg, Sweden
Ceremony Hall: Gaia’s Bloom, Lisa Lindqvist & Kate Munro, UK
ZIG and ZAG, Nicolas Triboulot & Clement Daquin, France
Flight, Laura Marcos, Argentina & Coralie Quincey, France
Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Corban Warrington & Daniel Afonso, South Africa
Antique Myths, Viacheslav Iemelianenko & Bogdan Kutsevych, Ukraine
ICEHOTEL 365: ICEBAR In Orbit, Christian Strömqvist & Karl Johan Ekeroth
All images © Asaf Kliger
Things to do at the Icehotel
Set in the heart of Swedish Lapland’s stunning wilderness, an exciting range of activities from husky sledding to snowmobiling, ice fishing to sculpting complement the artistry of the Icehotel. Fill your days with adventure, then spend evenings dining on delectable dishes at Icehotel’s restaurant, ‘chillin’ in the Icebar then gazing skyward at the prospect of the northern lights shimmering overhead.
Visiting the Icehotel
The seasonal Icehotel is open from mid-December the end of March into early April, when it starts to melt back into the River Torne. It can be experienced our classic 3-night Icehotel Break or you can choose to combine with a stay in Abisko National Park – rated by Lonely Planet as the best place in the world for experiencing the northern lights – on our Northern Lights, Abisko and Icehotel holiday.
Get in touch with our experts to discuss your options.