Where to stay: Tucked away in the mystical lakes and hills of Sweden, more than 100 miles (160km) north of the Arctic Circle, this ice hotel is rebuilt each winter entirely from snow and ice from the nearby Torne River. Not just any frozen dwelling, it was the first ice hotel in the entire world and it remains the largest to this day. The area in and around Jukkasjärvi is popular for outdoor winter activities such as reindeer sledding, snowmobile safaris and a Dogsled Adventure. Visitors can book a Kiruna Northern Lights Tour with a Photographer just a short drive away in pursuit of the northern lights to experience a natural phenomenon as mysterious as a Ghostbusters Proton Pack Stream.
Where to stay: A chilling adventure awaits travelers in the central Romanian region of Transylvania. Nestled in the Făgăraș Mountains, this remote ice hotel, accessible only by cable car, features cozy igloos, an ice restaurant and a majestic church blessed by priests with a cross on its roof. Hand-carved by local craftsmen, the frozen waters of Bâlea Lake are transformed into this intricate dwelling each year where travelers can hunker down for the night wrapped in warm blankets. While there are no ghosts in sight at this icy stay, visit the nearby medieval fortress of Bran Castle, perched high atop a cliff, to discover its ominous history wrapped up in the legend of Count Dracula.
Where to stay: Norway takes its lead from nature when it comes to the country’s most unique sleeps, and an igloo hotel freshly sculpted out of the first big shower of winter snow is no exception. With nearly half (48%)** of travelers picking destinations based on whether they have unique accommodation options, the Arctic town of Alta offers the world’s northernmost ice hotel, a majestic masterpiece with ice chandeliers, towering frozen sculptures and a bar where even the glasses are made of ice. In the pristine white wilderness of the high Arctic, the mystical aurora regularly dances around the clear night skies, and maps and tours are provided for guests to explore the northern lights. For another once-in-a-lifetime experience, the Ice Chapel can be booked for wedding ceremonies for those wanting to commit until death do us part.
Where to stay: The epitome of cool, this ice village nestled in the Tyrolean mountains presents an exclusive stay high in the Austrian Alps surrounded by over 49 miles (80km) of ski slopes. Offering live music, ice skating and tobogganing, the only strange thing in this neighborhood is the igloo hotel splashed with snow art and graffiti. In the morning, guests will enjoy hot tea served to them in their sleeping bags and a hearty breakfast at a mountain restaurant before hitting the slopes, with après-ski hosted in an ice bar full of enough potent spirits to keep warm until sunrise. Guests can even get creative and build their own igloo under the direction of an experienced guide, or carve snow sculptures, turning compact ice blocks into works of art. The hotel is just a short drive to the city of Innsbruck, a popular destination for winter sports, and travelers can book an Innsbruck Cable Car Round Trip to experience unparalleled views of the Nordkette range from above.
Where to stay: For an Arctic thrill, this snow village offers travelers an otherworldly retreat in the western part of Finnish Lapland close to Ylläs and Levi ski resorts. The theme this year is Nordic mythology with enchanting elves lining the interior corridors, rooms guarded by Norse gods, and a chiseled ice bar featuring Odin’s throne where every drink is served on the rocks. Just a short drive away in Levi, winter wonderland lovers can enjoy Reindeer and Husky Sleigh Rides, including a tour of an Arctic animal farm before zooming across the countryside making fresh tracks in white powder. RIP boredom.
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