It all started in 1989 when Japanese ice artists visited Jukkasjärvi, resulting in an ice art exhibition, which was much discussed and written about. Shortly thereafter, in the spring of 1990, a cylinder-shaped igloo was constructed directly on the ice of the Torne River, where the French artist Jannot Derid had the opening of his exhibition of paintings. Hundreds of visitors marvelled at the 60 m2 art gallery which was named Artic Hall. One night, some visitors spent the night on reindeer pelts - and the next morning they were very thrilled by the night they had spent. Artic Hall was never planned to be a hotel, however well-rested guests maintained that it was a warm and exciting experience. The idea of Icehotel was born! In 1989, Jukkas AB (today Icehotel AB, Sweden) decided to see the winter as an asset instead. Now in its twelfth year, Icehotel continues a prosperous and prestigious climb as the world's largest hotel made completely of ice and snow. From its modest one room start a decade ago, Icehotel now boasts 4,000 sq.meters, about 3,000 tons of ice and 30,000 m3 of snow. During the winter season of 2000/2001, 14,000 overnight guests and 33,000 day-time visitors came to Icehotel. This 60 room winter wonderland includes a hotel reception, a main hall, an ice-art exhibition, the world-famous Absolut Ice Bar, Icehotel Cinema with ice-screen, the glorious Ice Church where many weddings and christenings take place, and of course - all hotel rooms. In the evenings, all gather in the Absolut Icebar to have a drink "in the rocks", from glasses cut from river ice. The Ice Church is a holy entity of snow and ice where services, weddings and christenings take place

The winter of 2000, Icehotel AB of Sweden tog a big step in its history and enlarged its activity with a project on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean - Icehotel Québec in Canada. In the beautiful area of Duchesnay outside of Québec, Icehotel Québec opens in January and closes at the end of March each winter. Imagine a structure made out of ice and snow with ceilings as high as 16 feet, walls covered with original artwork, furniture carved in ice blocks. Just like its counter part in Sweden, Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada has two art galleries, a movie theatre and the famous Absolut Ice Bar. Covering a total surface of 3,000 square meters (30,000 square feet), the Ice Hotel is one of the most unusual and complex construction undertakings. In fact, 10,000 tons of snow and 350 tons of ice will be used during the five weeks it takes to build this feat of architecture. Grand Hall a doorway to the ice palace, you will be amazed by the sheer size of the Grand Hall with its superb ice candelabra. Its majestic ice columns and the delicate beauty of the shimmering carved walls will undoubtedly leave you breathless. And Art Galleries, Jacques Desbois and his team of skilled artists will display their flair and talent in the construction of the Ice Hotel while giving it a unique Quebec flavour is something you would not wish to miss.