ICEHOTEL: Sculpting Dreams in Ice and Light, 200km Beyond the Arctic Circle
In the remote Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, where the midnight sun radiates through 50 days of summer and darkness reigns for weeks in winter, a design marvel takes shape year after year—only to vanish again with the spring melt. Welcome to ICEHOTEL, a pioneering blend of ephemeral art, architectural ingenuity, and Arctic tradition, located 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, where nature is both canvas and collaborator.
Set on the banks of the Torne River, one of Sweden’s six grand waterways and among the cleanest in Europe, ICEHOTEL transforms natural ice into architecture. Just ten seconds of river flow yields 4,000 tonnes of ice—enough to build four hotels. That very ice becomes walls, beds, sculptures, and even drinking glasses, sculpted into immersive environments by multidisciplinary artists from around the globe.
An Ephemeral Masterpiece Reimagined Each Winter
Since its inception in the late 1980s, ICEHOTEL has redefined the boundaries of experiential architecture. Every winter, artists—from architects and designers to industrial engineers and lighting specialists—arrive in Jukkasjärvi to contribute to the creation of an art exhibition made entirely from ice, snow, and light.
Each edition is unique. ICEHOTEL releases an annual open call, seeking original design ideas for its Art Suites—private, ice-sculpted rooms that offer an unparalleled overnight experience. Approximately 15 to 20 designs are chosen each year, some from seasoned contributors, and others from creators who have never sculpted ice or experienced snow. These artists are guided by a skilled support team and paired with light designers who bring further dimensionality to each translucent suite through intricate lighting compositions.
The resulting structure is not just a hotel—it is an ever-evolving design installation and art symposium, brought to life under the harshest and most poetic of natural conditions.
ICEHOTEL 365: A Permanent, Solar-Powered Design Landmark
In 2016, ICEHOTEL introduced its year-round concept, known as ICEHOTEL 365—a permanent, solar-powered ice structure, designed in collaboration with Swedish sustainability architect Hans Eek. The 2,100-square-metre space features Deluxe Suites with private saunas and bathrooms, an ice gallery, and the ICEBAR Jukkasjärvi, all meticulously carved and maintained at a constant temperature of -5°C.
Powered by an 800-square-metre solar panel system, ICEHOTEL 365 is a world-first in sustainable cold architecture, ingeniously using the perpetual daylight of Arctic summer to cool and preserve its frozen interiors. This not only extends the ICEHOTEL experience beyond winter but exemplifies the integration of design, technology and ecology in one of the most extreme climates on Earth.
Nature as Material and Muse
ICEHOTEL’s very existence is a testament to the synergy between art and nature. From the crystalline purity of the Torne River ice to the logistical design of sustainable storage and minimal-emission transportation, the hotel embodies a circular philosophy. Ice not used immediately is harvested and preserved in on-site, naturally chilled storage halls, awaiting future use in installations for clients such as Chanel, BMW, and events like Milan Design Week.
What melts returns to the river, leaving no trace, only memory.
Designing the Arctic Experience
More than a place to stay, ICEHOTEL offers a multi-sensory, design-led encounter with the Arctic. Activities such as ice sculpting, husky sledging, river rafting, and northern lights tours are curated to harmonise with the ever-changing environment. And for guests brave enough to sleep in a “cold room,” the hotel offers a nightly “survival course” where the art of sleeping on ice becomes a shared ritual, complete with Arctic-grade sleeping bags and wake-up calls delivered with warm lingonberry juice.
Each year, approximately 70,000 visitors travel from across the world to Jukkasjärvi, lured by the prospect of not just staying at a hotel, but inhabiting a living, melting, breathing artwork.
All photography: Asaf Kliger
Beyond the Ice
ICEHOTEL’s influence extends beyond Sweden. The company has created permanent ice bars in Stockholm and London, as well as sculptural installations for global luxury brands, and produces export-quality ice for use in events around the world. Whether operating as an artist studio, architectural lab, or high-concept event partner, ICEHOTEL continues to elevate ice from a natural element to a design medium.
As climate, light, and landscape evolve, so does ICEHOTEL—never static, always immersive, and deeply rooted in its place of origin. It is not just built with nature, but in reverence to it.
