The magical ice hotel in Quebec City

We just received these amazing photos of the Hôtel de Glace, located just outside of downtown Quebec City in Quebec, Canada. This is the only ice hotel in North America composed entirely of ice and snow; that is 500 tons of ice and 15,000 tons of snow! The interior architecture covers a surface of 32,000 square feet (3,000 square meters) and a ceiling height of 19 feet (5.4 meters). Offering 36 rooms and theme suites, the hotel has been in operation for the past 12 years and is entirely redesigned every year with incredible sculptures that will delight and amaze you. The hotel is open for operation from January 6th until March 25th, 2012. Stepping foot inside this winter wonderland is a magical experience, but be sure to dress warmly, as temperatures at this time of the year varies from -13°F to 41°F (25°C to 5°C).

The Hotel and its furniture are made entirely of ice and snow, but the beds are comfortable for sleeping. The foundation of the bed is a block of ice followed by a solid wood base and layered with a comfortable mattress. Before bedtime, a cozy thermal sleeping bag, an isolating bed sheet and a pillow are delivered to your room to make your stay enjoyable. The internal temperatures of the room varies between 23°F to 27°F (-3°C to -5°C), but don’t worry, a nice toasty fireplace in your room will help to take the chill off.

The hotel offers a myriad of unique amenities, such as a Nordic area with hot tubs and sauna under the stars, an Ice Bar with bar glasses made entirely of ice, which can be kept as souvenirs if you can get them home! There is also an Ice Café that can be converted into a chapel for weddings (a wonderful place to renew your vows), an exhibition room and the most delightful of all is the Grand Ice Slide for all ages to enjoy! With the specialized expertise of the Hôtel de Glace’s artisans, they also offer opportunities to create special corporate and party planning events that can fulfill your every dream of a snow and ice fantasy.

We can’t wait to see what they do for next year; to see the incredible work of art from last year click here. An overnight stay at the Hôtel de Glace starts from $219 per person which includes a welcome cocktail, the Nordic equipment for the night, and access to the spa and sauna as well as breakfast. Book your once in a lifetime overnight stay from here.

Photos: Courtesy of Hôtel de Glace, ©XDachez.com and ©Luc Rousseau