With its breathtaking landscapes and proximity to the northern city of Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi has always been a popular summer destination. However, back in 1989, inspired by the Japanese tradition of ice sculpting, villager Yngve Bergqvist set out to create a wintertime attraction. His ice sculpting workshop on the banks of the Torne River was an instant success.
The following year saw the construction of Jukkasjärvi’s first ice structure, a 60 square metre igloo that served as an art gallery, cleverly dubbed ARTic Hall. Year after year, ARTic Hall was built anew, growing to an impressive 250 square metres. Then, one fateful night, a party armed with reindeer skins and sleeping bags asked if they might spend the night inside its icy walls. Thus, Icehotel – the first ice hotel in the world – was born.
Now, almost 35 years later, Icehotel is one of the world’s top attractions, drawing visitors from around the globe eager to tick this truly unique experience off their bucket lists.
Icehotel keeps sustainability at the forefront of its development as it continues to grow. The hotel is working towards becoming CO2-negative, utilising sustainable building materials, solar panels to regulate temperature and ice sourced directly from the Torne River – returning to its source as it thaws each spring.
Sub-zero craftsmanship and arctic artistry in Swedish Lapland
Each year, as the river freezes over, the Icehotel is reborn. Starting in November, around 30 artists from varying countries and creative disciplines gather in Jukkasjärvi to bring their innovative designs to life. From water to ice to art, the transformation is complete six weeks later. By now, more than 500 artists have contributed to the various incarnations of Icehotel – chiselling, scraping and shaping the ice into works of art reflecting their extraordinary artistic visions.