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Finland's Snow Hotel

It is that time of year again. Despite a relatively bad season throughout the rest of Europe, Scandinavia has received enough cold and snow to open up their annual snow and ice hotels. We've posted before about the most famous of these, the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, but haven't brought to your attention the very impressive Snow Castle located in Kemi, on the northern coast of Finland.

As you might imagine, EVERYTHING is made of snow. Of course, there are wooden doors, glass light bulbs, sleeping bags (no beds!) and a few other amenities from non-snow material, but for the most part, when you check into the Snow Hotel, you check into the world's largest igloo.
Like most other hotels, the Snow Hotel also has its own restaurant. The Snow Restaurant features tables made from ice and seats covered with reindeer fur.

I was initially going to post just one photo from their site, but after checking out their photo gallery, I was so blown away with the architecture and workmanship I had to turn this post into a little photo essay honoring past and present Snow Hotels.
Filed under: Finland, Hotels and Accommodations












Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Kathy Jan 28th 2007 6:29PM
Definetely not for me. A few days of below normal temps and your walking in water. Of course that is of the extreme in this climate, but I find it a bit scary to be in there.
Sue Jan 28th 2007 6:52PM
This place was made for me. I think I was an eskimo in another life. Perfect spot for those who have occasional hot flashes!
JetsetKnight Jan 28th 2007 7:17PM
Get used to this.....global freezing is enroute within 2.75 years, so I suggest everyone prepare!
celeste Jan 28th 2007 7:30PM
N-ICE!!!
floey Jan 28th 2007 7:42PM
I'm wondering about the toilet business. Sitting on ice!
Fancy Nancy Jan 29th 2007 11:19PM
Good looking Ice Castle,but,definately why I live in Texas{always will}. I can't imagine a man wanting to take a women there...most claim their old'ladies are already cold...lol...not in Texas..
Eric Jan 28th 2007 8:10PM
Remember that the Shining is based in a hotel (Overlook, I think). So yeah, I'd agree that the hotel resembles a hotel. My question is, is the kitchen in the resteraunt made out of ice? So they only serve slushies and ice cream?
Jennifer Jan 28th 2007 9:46PM
This is really cool. (No pun intended) I clicked on one of the links above and found out we have an ice hotel in Canada. I never knew this stuff existed. Very interesting. Here is the link to the Canadian Hotel: http://www.icehotel-canada.com/en/index.en.php
It has amazing pictures on there. Check it out.
Carrie Jan 29th 2007 11:47AM
i'd say this is a pretty bad idea considering snow is so unpredictable...call me crazy..