Ice hotels
 

I know there are a few around and about, Scandanavia, Quebec, etc. I was wondering if anyone had been to one, and if they had, any tips for me as I head over to the one in Quebec in January. Dos, do nots, etc. would be welcome!

Thanks!

Ice hotels
 

I was at the one in Jukkasjärvi a few years ago. Great time. Don't overpack, it's warm sleeping in those sleeping bags on the reindeer skins. Plus, they have supplies/souvenirs there. Have fun!

Hi Emma

I went to the one in northern Sweden for a weekend in 1997. Had a lot of fun snow-mobiling, dog-sledding, climbing a vertical ice obelisk, and lassoing a reindeer.

The temperature was -27 degrees Celcius outside and -7 degrees inside, but you actually feel warm coming into the ice-bar from the windchill, and sleeping on a block of ice with only fur hat and reindeer skin is warmer than you expect.

The most amazing part was the night sky. By incredible good luck that night there was an aurora borealis like a curtain of shimmering green lights and simultaneously the huge bright tail of the comet Hale-Bopp during its closest approach. It was more than 15 years ago already but I will never forget that amazing image in my mind.

In 2009 I went on another winter adventure -- a snow safari to see the wild polar bears in northern Canada. That too is a great experience.

One more fascinating winter destination is the ice and snow sculpture festival in Harbin (China) -- the scale and details are astonishing. However, when I went there in 2011 the temperature was incredibly cold ... must have been something like -40 degrees as you could only take your gloves off long enough for a couple photos before needing to warm up again inside for a while.

Right now I am enjoying the sunshine in New Zealand but may go to Canada in January. Do you know when the Quebec ice hotel season finishes?

I like the sound of it being warm! I suspect there will be some souveniers making their way back with me too!

That sounds amazing re the aurora borealis! I don't think Quebec is far enough north to see them, but I can hope - we have an outdoor hottub to sit in and star gaze, so I am hoping for a clear night!

Polar bears are on my bucket list - I am hoping to get there for a significant birthday in a few years!

The Quebec ice hotel finishes March 24th according to their website.

I'm really excited about it, but a little bit aprehensive too I guess!

I'll be there soon, and I had a quick question. Do you know if the nearby convenience store takes credit cards or cash only? I'm going direct to the Ice Hotel, and I've been told that I won't find an ATM at Kiruna airport or near the Ice Hotel. I've considered going to a currency exchanger before I leave, as the importance of always having some cash is worth more than the fees.

I went to the one in Quebec several years ago. My most useful tip is to keep your toiletries bag up in the (heated) lodge. I learned the hard way that toothpaste freezes!

Details of my experience are at:
http://www.xenophilia.net/icehotel/icehotel.html

Thank you!

I really hope they have got their act together on the hot tubs tho - that is the bit I am counting on to keep me warm!!! We have the room with a private one, so hopefully that will be ready even if the main area isn't!