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NEWS
Permanent ice hotel chilled by solar power opens near Arctic Circle
POSTED 02 Dec 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Eleven art suites feature at the new permanent Icehotel Credit: Icehotel
The world’s first permanent ice hotel has opened to guests 200km (124m) north of the Arctic Circle.

Icehotel 365, located in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, is a year-round extension to the world-famous 26-year old temporary structure, which is sculpted every winter using ice from the Torne River before melting in spring.

To ensure the new structure stands firm all year round – despite its walls, floors and ceiling being made exclusively from ice and snow – a refrigerating plant powered by solar energy will maintain a temperature of minus five degrees Celsius in the warmer months. In Jukkasjärvi, the sun shines for 100 consecutive days and nights during the summer.

The new 2,100sq m (22,600sq ft) building – erected on the site of a former ice storage facility – features nine deluxe suites, each with its own warm bathroom and sauna, and eleven art suites. It also holds a large ice bar and an ice art gallery. A curved roof covered in greenery provides a vantage point of the surroundings and space for tobogganing.

The classic temporary Icehotel will be opened as usual on 16 December, creating a total of 55 rooms between the two structures. Several tons of ice will create both buildings, which sit on adjacent plots.

Ice sculptures feature heavily throughout the wintry complex. In the permanent version, the art will change during the year, melting back into Torne River when a new selection is needed. Over forty artists, designers and architects from nine different countries have created initial pieces.

French architects Luc Voisin and Mathieu Brison have created props representing the 1920s for one of the suites, while designers Viktor Tsarski and Wouter Biegelaar have dreamt up a crystal forest suite. Another room creates the feeling of being at the bottom of the ocean.

Guests are encouraged to craft their own ice sculptures. Other activities throughout the year include taking an arctic wilderness survival course, travelling to witness the Midnight Sun phenomenon and plunging into the river as part of the Jukkasjärvi sauna ritual.

A series of architects and designers have created suites for the hotel Credit: Icehotel
Sculptures in the permanent Icehotel will be changed throughout the year Credit: Icehotel
The Icehotel 365 has been erected on the site of an ice storage plant, and its icy walls will be maintained by a refrigerating plant Credit: Icehotel
The temporary Icehotel will return as normal, creating a total of 55 rooms Credit: Icehotel
The Icehotel is located 200km from the Arctic Circle Credit: Icehotel
All materials used to build the hotel have been harvested from the Torne River Credit: Icehotel
RELATED STORIES
  Icehotel is back: Take a look at this year's amazing art-themed frozen rooms


Sweden’s famous Icehotel has reopened for its 26th winter and is brimming with hand- crafted, ice-sculpted art.
  The power of the midnight sun will be harnassed to create an ice hotel that doesn't melt


The creators of Sweden’s famous melting Icehotel have revealed plans for a new ice venture which will have one key difference: guests will be able to stay all year round.
  FEATURE: Design: Icy reception


As the original Icehotel near Kiruna celebrates its 25th birthday, we take a look at some of this year’s stunning rooms
  Sweden's Icehotel invites guests to design and build bespoke suites


Northern Sweden’s isolated Icehotel is inviting its guests to design and build their own ice suites, with successful suggestions being maintained for the designer's exclusive use throughout the season.
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NEWS
Permanent ice hotel chilled by solar power opens near Arctic Circle
POSTED 02 Dec 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Eleven art suites feature at the new permanent Icehotel Credit: Icehotel
The world’s first permanent ice hotel has opened to guests 200km (124m) north of the Arctic Circle.

Icehotel 365, located in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, is a year-round extension to the world-famous 26-year old temporary structure, which is sculpted every winter using ice from the Torne River before melting in spring.

To ensure the new structure stands firm all year round – despite its walls, floors and ceiling being made exclusively from ice and snow – a refrigerating plant powered by solar energy will maintain a temperature of minus five degrees Celsius in the warmer months. In Jukkasjärvi, the sun shines for 100 consecutive days and nights during the summer.

The new 2,100sq m (22,600sq ft) building – erected on the site of a former ice storage facility – features nine deluxe suites, each with its own warm bathroom and sauna, and eleven art suites. It also holds a large ice bar and an ice art gallery. A curved roof covered in greenery provides a vantage point of the surroundings and space for tobogganing.

The classic temporary Icehotel will be opened as usual on 16 December, creating a total of 55 rooms between the two structures. Several tons of ice will create both buildings, which sit on adjacent plots.

Ice sculptures feature heavily throughout the wintry complex. In the permanent version, the art will change during the year, melting back into Torne River when a new selection is needed. Over forty artists, designers and architects from nine different countries have created initial pieces.

French architects Luc Voisin and Mathieu Brison have created props representing the 1920s for one of the suites, while designers Viktor Tsarski and Wouter Biegelaar have dreamt up a crystal forest suite. Another room creates the feeling of being at the bottom of the ocean.

Guests are encouraged to craft their own ice sculptures. Other activities throughout the year include taking an arctic wilderness survival course, travelling to witness the Midnight Sun phenomenon and plunging into the river as part of the Jukkasjärvi sauna ritual.

A series of architects and designers have created suites for the hotel Credit: Icehotel
Sculptures in the permanent Icehotel will be changed throughout the year Credit: Icehotel
The Icehotel 365 has been erected on the site of an ice storage plant, and its icy walls will be maintained by a refrigerating plant Credit: Icehotel
The temporary Icehotel will return as normal, creating a total of 55 rooms Credit: Icehotel
The Icehotel is located 200km from the Arctic Circle Credit: Icehotel
All materials used to build the hotel have been harvested from the Torne River Credit: Icehotel
RELATED STORIES
Icehotel is back: Take a look at this year's amazing art-themed frozen rooms


Sweden’s famous Icehotel has reopened for its 26th winter and is brimming with hand- crafted, ice-sculpted art.
The power of the midnight sun will be harnassed to create an ice hotel that doesn't melt


The creators of Sweden’s famous melting Icehotel have revealed plans for a new ice venture which will have one key difference: guests will be able to stay all year round.
FEATURE: Design: Icy reception


As the original Icehotel near Kiruna celebrates its 25th birthday, we take a look at some of this year’s stunning rooms
Sweden's Icehotel invites guests to design and build bespoke suites


Northern Sweden’s isolated Icehotel is inviting its guests to design and build their own ice suites, with successful suggestions being maintained for the designer's exclusive use throughout the season.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
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IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
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ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
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