Ice hotels are some of the most unique and magical places to stay, perfect for anyone wanting a truly one-of-a-kind winter experience. These hotels, built entirely from ice and snow, are not just about sleeping in sub-zero temperatures but also offer incredible art, activities, and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, the Icehotel is the original and most famous ice hotel in the world. It’s open year-round thanks to its permanent Icehotel 365 section, but the winter edition, which includes brand-new art suites and structures, opens every December and lasts until April. For the 2024/2025 season, expect to see stunning ice art, including rooms inspired by rhinos, bird nests, and even a South Korean touch. If you're lucky, you'll catch the northern lights while you're there.
Opening Dates: Winter hotel opens in December 2024. The year-round Icehotel 365 remains open throughout.
Activities: In addition to staying in the ice suites, you can enjoy ice sculpting, snowmobile tours, husky sledding, and aurora-watching tours. Don't miss out on the ice bar for some truly "cool" drinks.
How to get there: Fly into Kiruna Airport (KRN), which is the closest airport, about 15 km (9 miles) from Icehotel. You can take a 90-minute flight from Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN). Or take overnight train from Stockholm to Kiruna.
Located near Kirkenes, Norway, Snowhotel Kirkenes offers an icy experience even during summer! However, the real magic happens in winter. This hotel is known for its winter activities like dog-sledding and king crab safaris, making it an ideal destination for those looking for adventure as well as a unique place to stay. The Snowhotel is open all year, but the ice hotel experience is best enjoyed in winter.
Opening Dates: Open year-round.
Activities: Dog-sledding, northern lights tours, king crab safaris, and snowmobile adventures. For a more relaxed experience, visit their ice restaurant and bar.
How to get there: Fly into Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen (KKN). It’s about 15 km (9 miles) from the hotel, and there are direct flights from Oslo and other Norwegian cities. From the airport, the Snowhotel provides dog sled taxi to the hotel. Or take Hurtigruten Coastal Express Ferry or simply a bus.
Just outside Rovaniemi, Finland, the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos opens every year in December. In addition to snow and ice rooms, the site also offers glass igloos where you can watch the northern lights from the comfort of a warm bed. There’s also an ice chapel and an ice restaurant. The 2024/2025 season opens on December 15, 2024.
Opening Dates: December 15, 2024, through the winter season.
Activities: Enjoy snowshoeing, ice fishing, or visit the ice bar and restaurant. You can also book northern lights safaris and snowmobile tours.
How to get there: Fly into Rovaniemi Airport (RVN), which is about 30 km (18 miles) from the hotel. There are frequent flights from Helsinki and other European cities. The Arctic SnowHotel offers airport transfers, or you can take a taxi from the airport.
The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta, Norway, is known for its intricate ice carvings and themed suites. Each year, the hotel is rebuilt with a fresh new theme, and it opens from December 20, 2024, to April 7, 2025. This is a smaller and more intimate ice hotel, but it offers cozy igloo suites and a fine-dining experience.
Opening Dates: December 20, 2024 – April 7, 2025.
Activities: Aside from admiring the ice art, guests can enjoy snowshoeing, dog sledding, and even dining in an ice restaurant.
How to get there: The nearest airport is Alta Airport (ALF), located about 20 km (12 miles) from the hotel. You can fly to Alta via Oslo or Tromsø. Sorrisniva offers airport transfers, or you can take a taxi to reach the hotel, which takes about 20 minutes.
Hôtel de Glace is North America's only ice hotel, and it offers amazing winter experience with its spectacular ice sculptures and themed suites. Activities include ice sliding, dog-sledding, snowshoeing, and a chance to soak in the outdoor hot tubs under the stars. There's also an ice chapel for weddings and an ice bar where you can enjoy cocktails served in ice glasses.
Opening Dates: The hotel is open from January 4th 2025 to late March
Activities: Explore intricate ice sculptures, snowshoe through winter trails, and slide down an ice slide.
How to Get There: Fly into Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). The hotel is located about 30 minutes from the airport.
While Kakslauttanen is known for its glass igloos, the resort also offers snow igloos and ice structures. Activities include husky and reindeer safaris, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Northern lights tours are a major draw, and you can also visit Santa’s Home at the nearby Santa Claus Village.
Opening Dates: The resort is open year-round, but snow igloos are typically available from December through April.
Activities: Go on husky or reindeer safaris, ice fishing, and hunt for the Northern Lights.
How to Get There: Fly into Ivalo Airport (IVL), which is just a 30-minute drive from the resort. There are direct flights from Helsinki.
Located at 2,000 meters in the Tyrolean Alps, Iglu-Dorf Kühtai offers incredible mountain views and a true winter wonderland experience. Besides spending the night in beautifully designed igloos, visitors can enjoy snowshoe hikes, a fondue dinner, and relax in the outdoor sauna or hot tub.
Opening Dates: December 26, 2024 – April 6, 2025
Activities: Enjoy igloo-building workshops, snowshoeing tours, and fondue dinners inside an igloo.
How to Get There: Kühtai is easily accessible from Innsbruck. Take a direct bus from Innsbruck (around 35 km away) to Kühtai, or drive up the scenic alpine roads if you prefer to arrive by car.
Located in the famous resort town of Gstaad, this igloo village combines ice art with Swiss charm. Activities include guided snowshoe tours and a romantic dinner in the igloo restaurant. The village also features an outdoor hot tub for stargazing in comfort.
Opening Dates: December 25, 2024 – March 30, 2025
Activities: Enjoy igloo-building workshops, snowshoeing tours, and fondue dinners inside an igloo.
How to Get There: To reach Iglu-Dorf Gstaad, travel to Gstaad by train from major Swiss cities. From the train station, a combination of gondola lifts and short treks will take you to the igloo site.
At the summit of Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze, this igloo village offers breathtaking views over the Bavarian Alps. The igloo features snow sculptures and ice art, while activities include a guided night walk under the stars, snowshoeing, and a relaxing sauna experience.
Opening Dates: December 27, 2024 – April 13, 2025
Activities: Enjoy igloo-building workshops, snowshoeing tours, and fondue dinners inside an igloo.
How to Get There: First, take a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From there, you can take the Zugspitze railway or a cable car to the summit, where the igloo village is located.
With the iconic Matterhorn as a backdrop, the Iglu-Dorf Zermatt provides an unforgettable stay with ice-carved art decorating the rooms. Guests can enjoy guided snowshoe hikes, and for those seeking relaxation, there’s a whirlpool and sauna. These igloo hotels offer more than just a place to sleep—they provide a full winter adventure with artistic ice sculptures, regional cuisine (often fondue), and outdoor activities. They are ideal for those looking for a unique and unforgettable alpine experience.
Opening Dates: December 20, 2024 – April 20, 2025
Activities: Enjoy igloo-building workshops, snowshoeing tours, and fondue dinners inside an igloo.
How to Get There: To reach Zermatt, take a train from any major Swiss city (the area is car-free). From Zermatt, ride the ski lifts to the igloo village located high in the mountain slopes.
At Hoshino Resort Tomamu’s Ice Village, you can take your winter adventure to the next level by sleeping in an ice hotel—yes, a hotel made entirely of ice! You’ll stay inside a cozy ice dome, with frozen walls, furniture, and even the bed, but don’t worry—they provide super warm sleeping bags and blankets to keep you toasty. The setting is magical, especially with an outdoor hot bath surrounded by ice where you can soak under the stars.
The stay also includes a seafood dinner, snacks, and drinks (served in ice glasses!). It’s a super cool (literally) and unique experience, perfect for those who love embracing the winter wonderland​.
Opening Dates: January 20, 2024 – February 28, 2025
Activities: Ice skate, enjoy snow rafting, and explore magical ice sculptures.
How to Get There: From Sapporo, take the JR Hokkaido train to Tomamu Station (around 90 minutes). A shuttle bus from the station will take you directly to the resort.
That's it! We hope you enjoyed and we helped you to plan your holiday! Have fun in the snow! Let as know if you made it to the end of the article :)