What happens when you combine 550 tons of ice, 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools of “snis” (a mixture of snow and ice) and 89 talented people over a period of six weeks? A brand new Icehotel emerges on the banks of the frozen River Torne in Swedish Lapland, that’s what. Icehotel #36 opened its doors on 12 December 2025, revealing the latest collection of mind-blowing ice suites, art and design, including a full-size grand piano made of ice.
This amazing, yet transient hotel, built entirely of ice and snow first appeared in the winter of 1989, the brainchild of founder, Yngve Bergqvist. Every year since it has been built anew with incredibly conceived ice suites, ice rooms and an iconic main hall – each incarnation unique and utterly spectacular.
This year’s hotel will take your breath away from the moment you step into the 30m-long main hall, Cathedral Grove. The supporting pillars are one of the only constants in the Icehotel’s seasonal design, together with the iconic chandeliers, and this year are accompanied by an enchanting forest with sculpted trees reaching to the ceiling.
Frozen corridors lead off the main hall to the 12 art suites and 20 ice rooms where guests for the 2025/26 winter season will experience sleeping on ice. The build started in November, with 33 artists from around the world working with a team of builders, lighting designers and artist support teams to create a hotel like no other. At the helm is Creative Director Luca Roncoroni.
“I am very proud of each and every one who contributed to ICEHOTEL 36, some of the artists came with years of experience and others never worked in snow and ice before. Thanks to hard work and a positive spirit we managed to get everything ready on time! Another thing we’re especially proud of is the grand piano made of ice. Assembling it was both nerve-racking and magical — we didn’t know if it would hold until the very last minute. Now we look forward to hearing music echo through the corridors of ICEHOTEL,”
– Luca Roncoroni, Icehotel Creative Director
A stay at this season’s Icehotel promises something special. Spend the night in the eye of the storm, drift away in an Arctic library, feel the cosmic power of a black hole or drop into an otter’s midwinter dream. Take a moment of quiet reflection in brand-new Ceremony Hall and sip a cocktail or two at the Icebar housed in Icehotel365 – the year round building next door.
Take a look at images of some of the suites.
Sweep Me Off My Feet by Elin Julin & Ida Mangsbo, Sweden
Arctic Archive by Kristina Möckel & Sebastian Scheller, Germany
Soap Bubbles by Coralie Quincey, France & Peter Hobbs, UK
An Otter’s Midwinter Night’s Dream by Sandra St-Laurent & Mylène Leboeuf-Gagné, Canada
Parliament of Owls by David Rothstein, USA; Carlos Miguel Ramirez Pereyra & Israel Magaña Rodriguez, Mexico
Spaghettification by Tomasz Czajkowski & Miłosz Matelski, Poland
Dragon of Icehotel by Gao Hongyu & Guo Baiwei, China
Ceremony Hall – Echo by Luc Voisin & Mathieu Brison, France
All images © Asaf Kliger
Things to do at the Icehotel
While art and creation is at its heart, the Icehotel experience delivers far more. An exciting range of activities from husky sledding to snowmobiling, ice fishing to sculpting fill your days, while the prospect of witnessing the northern lights at night adds celestial magic. Delectable dining completes the experience with options for a Starlit Wilderness Dinner or a 12-course Chef’s Table upgrade in addition to the Icehotel restaurant and nearby Homestead.
Visiting the Icehotel
The seasonal Icehotel is open from mid-December the end of March into early April, when it starts to melt back into the River Torne. It can be experienced on our classic 3-night Icehotel Break or you can choose to combine with a stay in Abisko National Park – rated by Lonely Planet as the best place in the world for experiencing the northern lights – on our Northern Lights, Abisko and Icehotel holiday.
Get in touch with our experts on 01737 214 250 to discuss your options or send an enquiry.