Postcard Getaway

Magical Ice Hotels that Make the Perfect Frozen Retreat for Winter Adventures

Written by Kaelie Piscitello

No experience compares to spending a night in an ice hotel. These stunning structures, built almost from ice and snow, allow travellers to immerse themselves in an otherworldly landscape. These hotels are more than just a place to sleep; they’re an escape from reality.

Imagine curling up in a cozy sleeping bag inside a beautiful sculpted igloo, sipping cocktails from glasses made of ice, or dining on locally sourced delicacies beneath shimmering ice chandeliers. Each winter wonderland destination offers a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

ICEHOTEL – Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

The ICE HOTEL in Switzerland is “the world’s first ice hotel”, according to their marketing, and it hosts 12 art suites inside of it you can stay inside. These can also double as bedrooms.

Each is unique and designed by artists. The Toy Box, for example, has ice carved to resemble different children’s toys, including blocks and rocket ships. A Journey into Letter Space has letters and words carved throughout it. Dancers in the Dark, meanwhile, features beautiful depictions of people choosing between light and dark through dance.

While staying here, you can take an ice sculpting class to engage in a more authentic ice experience. You can also book a private snowmobile tour through the wilderness set around the Ice Hotel. Consider opting for a northern lights safari in the winter, too, when they appear.

In the summer, you can take a private fishing tour on the Torne River or go fishing yourself. Hike in Abisko National Park and play with baby reindeer at Missemannu. There are also lots of restaurants within the hotel to eat at.

Dine on The Veranda with or without a wine package. Don’t forget to try the Ice Hotel Restaurant and sample their Ice Menu Dinner Winter edition for selected seasonal dishes crafted just for you.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – Alta, Norway

Staying in the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is a great way to see those northern lights. You can stay in the Snow Hotel 365 overnight or in one of the Gamme Cabins. In the Snow Hotel 365, the fair you pay includes breakfast and dinner, access to a reindeer husky and puppy yard, a sleeping bag, luggage service, and a sauna. You stay in a cold room sitting at minus four degrees celsius (24.8 fahrenheit)

In the Gamme Cabins, you can enjoy all the wilderness, luxury, traditional fishing, and hunting huts. These Cabins are open year-round and include breakfast and a three-course dinner from Laven. They all provide visitors with great views of the fjord and have 2-3 beds/room, creating a great option for those traveling with family.

They have a fantabulous restaurant with three-course menus. You must book by 2 p.m. on the day you want to dine there. You can also have lunch a la carte. Their traditional meal menu includes roye tartar and more.

While you’re there, join a King Crab Winter Safari, where you ice fish on a snowmobile. Help the fisherman pull out a king crab, and then eat what you fish! You can also do it by rib boat.

Experience a 5 km husky tour starting in late October. You can go further into the wild depending on if you do the experience, safari, or northern lights by husky packages. Beyond the husky tours, you can also snowshoe, take a husky mountain hike in the spring, sip wine at an ice bar, and try out snow yoga.

Hoshino Resort Tomamu Ice Village – Hokkaido, Japan

At the Hoshino Resort in the Tomamu Ice Village, everything, including the chapel, is made of ice. The village opens when temperatures drop between -20 and 30 degrees celsius, which happens from mid-December to mid-March.

There are three hotels you can stay at here. At the Risonare Tomamu, all rooms are 100 or more square meters, and have a sauna, jet bath, and view. While staying in the Tomamu Ice Village, rent skates and hit the ice or stop for a moment of serenity at the ice chapel. Both of these activities are free of charge.

You can also see the Asahikawa Winter Festival or visit Sahoro Ski Area to shred the slopes. It’s an excellent destination for people with lots of skiing and snowboarding practice. Don’t miss out on the Hiroo Crab Festival towards the end of winter.

The Ice Village has nineteen restaurants around the resort, offering a variety of foods, including pizza at the Forest Restaurant, a buffet, a steakhouse, shabu shabu, and sushi. You can choose from many great places to eat, making it easy to find something that works for you.

Schneedorf Igloo Village – Austria

The Schneedorf Igloo Village is the first igloo village in Austria, and it introduces its guests to lots of snow activities. The village is near Innsbruck, a picturesque town near Salzburg with beautiful homes and scenery.

While you’re there, you stay in an igloo! The village’s describes it as “very close to the stars.” You can also book your accommodation based on the occasion. Book a wedding or marriage proposal spot, enjoy a candlelight night, or stay in a classic or glass igloo with friends or family.

If you choose one of the packages, like Candlelight Night or Proposal, you’ll receive welcome drinks, a small cold platter, a cheese fondue dinner, a breakfast buffet, and a toboggan run, all included in your price.

You can also do a candlelight night workshop or choose the candlelight night and spa option. The Igloo Village costs $235 or more per night, depending on your experience. All packages include dinner, a visit on the slide, sleeping bags, and 24/7 front desk supervision.