Plans have been unveiled for the 26th rendition of the famed Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. The 2016 hotel is due to open December 11. The hotel is rebuilt each fall and lasts until the ice melts in spring.
Icehotel re-opens "Eternity' by Fernando Incaurgarat and Alfredo Juan Diez —
Plans have been unveiled for the 26th rendition of the famed Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. The 2016 hotel is due to open December 11. The hotel is rebuilt each fall and lasts until the ice melts in spring.
Paulina Holmgren
In one suite, Scandinavian artist AnnaSofia Maag will create a life-size ice sculpture of an African elephant. <br />
'Elephant in the Room' —
In one suite, Scandinavian artist AnnaSofia Maag will create a life-size ice sculpture of an African elephant.
AnnaSofia Maag
The building material used for the hotel is called "snice" (a snow and ice mixture). Construction involves enough to make 700 million snowballs.
Doors to the ice kingdom —
The building material used for the hotel is called "snice" (a snow and ice mixture). Construction involves enough to make 700 million snowballs.
Martin Smedsen
More than 540 artists have created works for the hotel since it was founded in 1989. In 2010, AnnaSofia Maag designed this suite titled "Arktikos."
Arctic artists —
More than 540 artists have created works for the hotel since it was founded in 1989. In 2010, AnnaSofia Maag designed this suite titled "Arktikos."
AnnaSofia Maag/ICEHOTEL
To get an idea of what to expect in 2015-16, here are some shots from last year, including this "Blue Marine" suite designed by William Blomstrand and Andrew Winch.
'Blue Marine' —
To get an idea of what to expect in 2015-16, here are some shots from last year, including this "Blue Marine" suite designed by William Blomstrand and Andrew Winch.
Courtesy Paulina Holmgren
The Icehotel is the closest we'll ever get to visiting Superman's frozen Fortress of Solitude.
Frozen fortress —
The Icehotel is the closest we'll ever get to visiting Superman's frozen Fortress of Solitude.
Paulina Holmgren
This art suite by Karl-Johan Ekeroth and Christian Stromqvist had a Frankenstein theme.
'It's Alive!' —
This art suite by Karl-Johan Ekeroth and Christian Stromqvist had a Frankenstein theme.
By Karl-Johan Ekeroth & Christian Stromqvist/Photo by Christopher Hauser
This suite inspired by the London Underground was created by Marcus Dillistone and Magdalena Akerstrom. Did someone turn the carriage's air conditioning too high?
Subzero subway —
This suite inspired by the London Underground was created by Marcus Dillistone and Magdalena Akerstrom. Did someone turn the carriage's air conditioning too high?
By Marcus Dillistone & Magdalena Akerstrom/Photo by Christopher Hauser
This art suite by Nina Hedman and Magnus Hedman was inspired by the Greek myth of Narcissus, who was so in love with gazing at his own reflection that he forgot to eat and wasted away.
'Narcissus' —
This art suite by Nina Hedman and Magnus Hedman was inspired by the Greek myth of Narcissus, who was so in love with gazing at his own reflection that he forgot to eat and wasted away.
By Nina Hedman & Magnus Hedman/Photo by Christopher Hauser
To ensure guests don't miss the Northern Lights, there's a special auroral alarm.
Aurora borealis —
To ensure guests don't miss the Northern Lights, there's a special auroral alarm.
Paulina Holmgren
The hotel has its own chapel, which hosts around 100 weddings each year. That's a lot of happy snow queens.
Cold ice, warm hearts —
The hotel has its own chapel, which hosts around 100 weddings each year. That's a lot of happy snow queens.
Paulina Holmgren
The 5,000 tons of ice used to build the hotel comes from the nearby River Torne. The hotel's creators say this year has yielded a bumper harvest, with blocks 10 centimeters thicker than usual.
Mongolian-themed 'Dragon Residence' —
The 5,000 tons of ice used to build the hotel comes from the nearby River Torne. The hotel's creators say this year has yielded a bumper harvest, with blocks 10 centimeters thicker than usual.
Paulina Holmgren
When it's freezing cold inside and out, how do guests warm up? At least 11,000 cups of steaming hot lingonberry juice are consumed each season.
Hot drinks —
When it's freezing cold inside and out, how do guests warm up? At least 11,000 cups of steaming hot lingonberry juice are consumed each season.
AnnaSofia Maag & Alessandro Falca/Photo by Christopher Hauser
And how do guests chill out? About 27,000 cocktails are consumed each season in the Icebar, which now has branches worldwide.
Icebar —
And how do guests chill out? About 27,000 cocktails are consumed each season in the Icebar, which now has branches worldwide.
Simply Sweden