Discover the World - Ice Hotel

C r e a t i n g i n s p i r a t i o n a l t a i l o r m a d e h o l i d a y s

s e P t e m B e r 2 0 1 4

Icehotel5

ANNIVERSARY

YEARS OF THEICEHOTEL

25EDITION

THE COOLEST HOTEL IN THE wORLD

PHOTOGRAPHING THE NORTHERNLIGHTS

FAVOuRITEICE DESIGNS DISCOVER

THE bEST OF LAPLAND

STORY OF THE ICEHOTEL

welcome to the Icehotelit’s a year of special anniversaries. this winter marks the 25th year of the icehotel, and at discover the World we’re celebrating 30 years of creating inspirational tailor made holidays.

As the UK’s leading operator of holidays to the Icehotel, we’d like to wish the whole team there many happy returns – especially since we always enjoy seeing how this incredible place surpasses itself with each new build.

In this special issue we’re exploring what goes into creating each new Icehotel as well as looking back at its history, what makes Swedish Lapland such an incredible place to visit – and, most importantly, how you can make the most of your time there.

wHAT’S INSIDE04 The story of the Icehotel

06 Art & Design in ice

08 The life of a husky musher

09 Fly direct to the Icehotel

10 Experience authentic Lapland

12 Tips for sleeping on ice discover the icehotel is interactive! Click on the green links to explore...

02 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812

13 5 minutes with Arne bergh

14 Searching for the aurora?

16 when to travel to Swedish Lapland

18 Icehotel combinations

Guarantee yourself a white Christmas Where better to immerse yourself in Christmas spirit than Lapland? Join the locals as they take a torchlight procession to Jukkasjärvi’s picturesque church for a Christmas Day carol concert. And don’t forget to look out overhead for the northern lights! see when to travel to swedish lapland on page 16.

2500 blocks of ice are harvested each year for the Icehotel – each one weighing 1.6 tonnes and measuring 2 x 1 x 0.8 metres.

Did you know? There are more huskies than there are people in Swedish Lapland! Husky sledding is one of the most fun ways to explore

the snow covered surrounds of the Icehotel and you can even opt to transfer from the airport to Jukkasjärvi on a husky sled for an exciting way to start your holiday. read our Q&a master musher on page 08.

Celebrate the 25th Icehotel in the Aurora Hall! brand new for winter 2014/15, a spectacular ice theatre will host live performances and events throughout the season. The events schedule will be released in the autumn so keep an eye on our blog for further details as they’re announced.

FuN FACT

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Northern Lights Learn how to capture incredible aurora images on page 14.

Fly Direct The quickest and most convenient way to reach the Icehotel from the UK is on our direct flight to Kiruna which takes just 3½ hours from London Heathrow. Find out more on page 09.

©William Gray

©Ragnar TH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com


The story started in November 1989 when Yngve berqvist, an adventure tour director and entrepreneur, invited two Japanese ice sculptors to lead a workshop for artists in Swedish Lapland.

of the IcehotelThe story

Seize the day and make the most of every moment. Live up to that motto and you’ll discover that, even if we don’t live forever, almost anything is possible.

Yngve Berqvist on creativity and possibilities.


an iceberg for a Chanel catwalk. They’ve even built an ice bar in the Sahara!

It won’t surprise you to hear that the question that the team, under Creative Director Arne, asks is not ‘can we?’ but ‘how can we…?’ when it comes to planning each year. Design submissions for Art Suites are considered from both experienced ice sculptors and novices to keep challenging what is possible.

For the ‘cold accommodation’ it’s a clean slate each year – but the extreme creativity of this aspect of the hotel is balanced by the well planned and developed year-round buildings and facilities. The combination makes a stay at the Icehotel a special experience all round.

It’s not long now until we open the reindeer-hide doors on the 25th chapter in the Icehotel’s story. seeing is believing with the Icehotel and for this very special season they have some extra special Art Suites, celebrations and innovations planned....

It was so successful that, in 1990, berqvist’s team decided to see what else was possible in ice and snow, and built an igloo which was used as a community centre and art gallery. It wasn’t until a group of tourists asked if they could stay overnight in this ‘Artic Hall’ – a play on its Arctic location and artistic conception – a couple of years later that he really started to think big.

TORNE RIVER

ICEMeanwhile, sculptors and friends Arne Bergh and Ake Larsson visited the much talked about ‘Artic Hall’ while competing in the Kiruna Snow Festival in 1993. Seduced by lapland and surprised by the possibilities of working in ice, they joined Berqvist’s team at the newly renamed Icehotel, and never looked back.

Creative challenges (over and above designing and building a hotel from scratch each year) have come thick and fast for the Icehotel team, pushing the boundaries of their creativity.

The team have created a faux-glacier cave for a film set, staged a Sámi version of Hamlet in an icy recreation of The Globe theatre, hosted fashion shoots for supermodels, built a working ice drumkit and

©ICEHOTEL



Art & design in icewhen the creative drive of Arne bergh and Ake Larsson met the entrepreneurial oomph of Yngve berqvist, history was made. Their conceptual stance of creating ‘pure art from pure materials’ has developed over 25 winters, being refined and re-sculpted each year in new, challenging and beautiful forms.


Over the last quarter of a century the edifice of the Icehotel has developed from being an art gallery to becoming a work of art itself – no mere backdrop. Those visiting this winter will encounter a rainforest, the inner mechanics of a clock, the inside of a bell-pepper and the opulence of the 17th century, frozen in time. Here’s a look back at some of our favourite creations.

Did you know? You can design your own suite at the Icehotel.

Click here to find out more

Click to view our photo gallery

How long have you been working with sled dogs?

When I was a teenager I helped my neighbours with their dogs. I started teaching people to mush around 1987, then travelled to Alaska to learn more about the competitive side of the sport. I got my own dogs in 1990.

what has been your most rewarding experience of husky sledding?

Travelling across Alaska in the Iditarod (a 1200 mile sled dog race – the longest in the world) was very memorable. Also, reaching the North Pole with Prince Albert II of Monaco’s husky expedition in 2006 was very rewarding.

what do you need to enjoy a husky sledding experience?

Nothing! If you are able to walk you can ride a sled, or even drive your own dog team –

although to drive a team we recommend being over 12 years old.

what else would you recommend in Swedish Lapland?

Check out the reindeers and try ice-sculpting, I don’t think anyone should miss that.

How has the Icehotel influenced Jukkasjärvi over the last 25 years?

A lot, it has really changed everything. The Icehotel has put our little village on the map.

what’s next for you? Do you foresee a return to competitive dog sledding?

Yes, actually I do, but I think it is a few more years away…

Master-musher Kenth Fjellborg has been running husky sledding journeys since the late 1980’s and we’ve worked with him for thirty years now. based near the Icehotel, he’s reached the North Pole and completed the gruelling Iditarod race in Alaska.

the life of a

Check out our Exclusive winter wilderness Escape, which you can read about on our blog


HuSKY MuSHER

Fly direct to the Icehotel


benefits of flying direct• Flight time: 3.5hrs

• Meals & drinks included

• Standard baggage allowance: 23kg

• Pre-bookable seats: free of charge

• Departures: 12 return flights between December and March

•Dedicated Discover the World representatives at the airport & at the Icehotel

With convenient flight times from the newly redeveloped Heathrow Terminal 2 to Kiruna, it’s the quickest and most convenient way for you to reach the Icehotel. There are plenty of additional benefits too, and a Premium Class upgrade available to really start your holiday in style. Find out more about flying direct to the icehotel

when you’re jetting off on a short break, especially one as special as a visit to the Icehotel, no-one wants to spend more time at the airport than necessary. Our exclusive direct flight from the uK to the Icehotel takes just 3½ hours, saving you 5-9 hours in transit compared to the alternative route via Stockholm.

PREMIuMuPGRADE

5 things to do with the time you save by flying direct

Snow covered forests, cloudberry delicacies, Sami culture and the howling of huskies in the distance…these are just some of the highlights that epitomise Swedish Lapland and that no visitor should leave without experiencing! Here’s a roundup of some of our favourite things to see and do in this real life winter wonderland.


Authentic LaplandEXPERIENCE

Tips from our Travel Specialists

1 HuSKY SLEDDING Whether you’re taking a ride as a passenger or mushing your own team of dogs, whooshing across the vast, unspoilt landscape of Swedish Lapland is an experience not to be missed.

2 DELICIOuS LOCAL CuISINENothing tops off a day out in the snow than a homely meal savoured by the fire at the Homestead. Just a ten minute walk from the Icehotel through Jukkasjärvi, this charming log building offers a rustic and welcoming atmosphere.

3 EXPLORE bY SNOwMObILEThere are said to be 65,000 snowmobiles in Lapland, and it’s one of the quickest and most convenient ways to explore this corner of the world. Going in search of the northern lights by snowmobile is definitely one of the most exhilarating ways to spend an evening!

4 THE NORTHERN LIGHTSAlthough you can view the magical aurora borealis from most locations in Swedish Lapland, Abisko National Park offers increased chances of witnessing this incredible occurrence. Go to page 14 to find out why.

5 SAMI REINDEER ENCOuNTER Lapland’s indigenous people are the Sami and around 20,000 live in Swedish Lapland along with 120,000 reindeer and 65,000 snowmobiles! With 2,000 years of tradition behind them, their influence and customs are still much in evidence today.

6 SLEEPING ON ICE Snuggling down in your sleeping bag at -5C might sound daunting, but the cool and quiet means it’s often described as the best nights’ sleep of your life. Waking up to hot lingonberry juice and a sauna is a treat in itself.

Did you know?The Sámi year is traditionally divided into eight seasons, each tied to a period of reindeer herding.

click here



©ICEHOTEL/Hans Olof Utsi©

ICEH

OTE

L

Don’t settle down too earlyWait until you are feeling a little

sleepy before retreating to

your Snow Room or Art Suite.

Don’t take a shower or sauna before bedtime Wet skin and hair are a definite no no. The

natural oils on your skin offer a layer of protection

against the elements.

Don’t overdress – just a thin

thermal layer, socks, gloves and a hat

are sufficient for many. For added

comfort you may want to take

a zip up fleece, just in case.

Do keep your snow boots next to your bed – just in case you need

to take a middle of the night dash

to the facilities! Keepwarm!

a greatnight’s sleep!

Zzz…

Do relax Many claim the pure air and silence

of the snowy surrounds gives them a great

night’s sleep. So just

remember to relax and

enjoy the experience.

It’s an adventure after all…

sleeping in iceTips for

Do acclimatise in the Icebarwith a delicious cocktail made from local

ingredients such as cloudberry and vodka.

Best to stick to just a couple of drinks.


a great !


what attracts you to working with ice?

The idea of not thinking about the future – working with an ephemeral material and being in the creative moment.

How do you make sure each year is different? where do you find inspiration?

Both new and old artists arrive for each new Icehotel build and they always challenge what is possible to create; that’s how I get inspiration. We also have a policy that nothing is repeated except the chandeliers.

Describe your typical day during the building of the Icehotel?

First thing I check my emails and meet with all the artists. After that, my day is spent consulting the teams, attending to whichever project I’m running myself and meeting with the press. Sometimes in the evening I serve dinner in my house across the river; I like to cook with local fish and game.

Sculptor Arne bergh became the Creative Director of the Icehotel in 1997 and oversees the annual selection of the international team of artists who come together to design and build this incredible feat of architecture. we caught up with him to find out more...

Try ice sculpting for yourself or read our blog to find out what it’s like.

How important is Icehotel’s 25th anniversary to you?

It means that we have become a sustainable attraction, valuable not only for ourselves but also for the community, Lapland and Sweden.

what’s been your favourite design/ Art Suite/ice creation?

Hmm...difficult question! I get new favourites each year. My intention is that every new edition of the Icehotel should be the best, and so I always fancy the new designs that interpret the ice and snow in a new way.

what is your vision for Icehotel’s future?

To keep up the good work, never leaning back and trusting that we can just go on like before. To continue developing new techniques in building, to create more art!

5 minutes with

ARNE bERGH


The northern lights often feature high on travel wish lists and bucket lists alike. And not without good reason. Mystery and wonder shroud this spectacular natural phenomenon. And whilst we know what causes the aurora, the relative uncertainty as to when they’ll be visible is behind much of the excitement and anticipation surrounding this fantastical display light display.

the northern lights?Searching for

In January 2014 there was a huge 80.5% chance of witnessing the lights at Aurora Sky Station.fact

See the lights on one of our Cool

Combinations on page 18


when can I see the northern lights? where is best to see the aurora? Can you guarantee I’ll see them?

All of these are questions we’re frequently asked.And whilst the answer to the last is probably the most certain (no we can’t!) our years of experience have taught us a thing or two about improving your chances of finding them.

With this in mind it’s no wonder that Abisko National Park is such a popular destination for avid aurora seekers. Deep in the heart of Lapland, the aurora sky station in

Abisko has one of the best track records for northern lights sightings on earth.

The reason being a quirk of climate and the local prevailing winds which keep the skies overhead almost always cloud free and the area one of the driest in Lapland. This creates the perfect weather conditions for viewing the aurora.

Easily combined with a stay at the Icehotel, Abisko is just an hour’s drive north of Kiruna airport. And if you don’t opt to stay overnight at the Mountain Station, night time excursions to the area are offered from the Icehotel.

5 THINGS TO REMEMbER wHEN PHOTOGRAPHING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Don’t become so obsessed with trying to capture an image that you forget to just stop and stare and wonder.

Wear lots of layers – including on your hands. Silk liner gloves keep your fingers toasty while you’re adjusting camera controls.

The lens that you use is the most important thing – you ideally need a lens with a fast maximum aperture. The longer your camera spends taking a picture, the more prone it is to movement.

You’ll need a decent tripod – it’s important to keep your camera as still as possible when photographing the Northern Lights.

A shot of the sky full of pretty green lights is fine but composition and some good old-fashioned rules of photography will play a large part in your success.

Read will’s advice on turning protons into pixels in full on our website.

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Award winning travel writer and photographer Will Gray (below) gives us his tips on photographing the aurora.


Direct Flight Departure Dateswinter 2014-2015

20, 23*, 27, 30* Dec 201424, 31 Jan 201507, 14, 17*, 21, 28 Feb 201507 Mar 2015

when to travel to Swedish Lapland

*4 night departuresFor more benefits of flying direct, visit our website.

November Icehotel build commences. Dependent on the weather conditions and snow, the Icehotel Art & Design team will begin work on creating the 25th Icehotel.

December Icehotel opens! Travel in December and you will get to see the build in action.

20 First direct flight! Take advantage of the dark skies overhead to watch out for the northern lights.

24 Spend Christmas in a winter wonderland like no other and enjoy a torch lit procession and candle lit carol service at the quaint village church in Jukkasjärvi. 31 See the new year in somewhere different with colourful ice cocktails in the Icebar!

January Experience the return of the daylight as Polar night, ‘Kaamos’, comes to an end.

February Longer hours of daylight and increasingly mild temperatures make outdoor activities even more fun.

14 Spend the most romantic day of the year in romantic Scandi style. 17 For teenagers and grown up children alike, spend the school holidays exploring Swedish Lapland.

March Increased solar activity around the Spring Equinox often means dramatic Northern Lights sightings.

7 Last chance to fly direct to the Icehotel… until next winter!




The ICEHOTEL is phenomenal – it’s such a unique experience to stay there and it’s so beautiful. I think this has been one of our best holidays ever; it was truly magical.

The Art Suite just blew our minds – it’s hard to put into words just how spectacular this hotel is.

Gemma May & Donna Venn

Rowena Summers


the Icehotel and beyondCool combinations:

Best for…an aurora adventure:

Northern Lights, Abisko and the IcehotelCombining human creativity with natural scenic beauty, the Icehotel and Abisko are a perfect complement to each other. This short break, visiting both, has it all – a stay in the spectacular Icehotel, the chance to experience a range of thrilling winter activities and a night at the Abisko Mountain Station in Abisko National Park, one of the best places in the world for northern lights viewings.

3 nights from £1,278 (incl direct flights)

Best for…travelling like a local:

Husky wilderness Adventures Experience Lapland’s great outdoors on a traditional dogsled as you ‘mush’ your own team of huskies through the beautiful forests of Jukkasjärvi. Staying at the rustic Wilderness Lodge you’ll spend your days whooshing through the sparkling snow, and your evenings relaxing in a wood-fired sauna and keeping a lookout for the aurora.

3, 4 or 6 nights from £1,673 (incl direct flights)


Best for…natural wonders:

Iceland and the IcehotelDiscover a plethora of wonders – both natural and man-made – on this cracking combination trip. Geysers, waterfalls and volcanoes await in Iceland’s striking volcanic landscapes, making a striking contrast to the elegance of the Icehotel and the sweeping, snow-blanketed beauty of Swedish Lapland.

7 nights from £1,680 (incl flights)

Best for…an independent adventure:

Tromsø, Abisko & IcehotelExplore the charismatic Arctic city of Tromsø – nicknamed ‘Paris of the North’ – before catching a train across the frozen landscape of high mountains and sweeping snowy vistas on your way to Abisko for some world-class aurora hunting. Continue by train to Kiruna for a visit to the iconic Icehotel.


Best for…scenic Nordic charm:

Icehotel, Abisko & Lofoten Chase the aurora across the snow-covered north, staying at the ultra-cool Icehotel, visiting the Aurora Sky Station, exploring the dramatic and spectacular Arctic islands and enjoying a scenic rail journey across Lapland.


©MennoSchaefer

©RelaxFoto.de

Start planning…To browse our full range of Icehotel breaks and holidays in all our destinations:

Visit our website discover-the-world.co.uk

Order a copy of our brochures or read them online

Ready to book?Contact our team of Travel Specialists to request a tailor made quote via our website, email [email protected] Call us on 01737 218 812

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