How an Arctic Resort Builds a Hotel From 30K Tons of Ice and Snow | WSJ

Icehotel: Building a Business from Snow and Ice

Key Concepts:

• Icehotel Construction: The annual process of designing, building, and maintaining a hotel constructed entirely from snow and ice.
• Snow & Ice Harvesting: Techniques for acquiring and preparing the raw materials – ice from the Tana River and manufactured snow.
• Casting Process: A core building method involving metal forms and sprayed snow to create structural elements like arches.
• Artistic Suites: Custom-designed rooms created by international artists, contributing to the hotel’s unique appeal.
• Sustainability & Adaptation: The hotel’s approach to managing environmental challenges (weather) and reinvesting profits for continuous improvement.
• Arctic Tourism Infrastructure: Challenges and opportunities related to accessibility and development of tourism in the Arctic region.

I. Overview of Icehotel & Construction Challenges

The Icehotel, located approximately 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden, is a unique hospitality venture built anew each year using approximately 30,000 tons of snow and ice. The construction process is heavily influenced by the harsh Arctic environment, presenting significant logistical and operational challenges. Workers, numbering around 90, face cold temperatures and the constant need to adapt to fluctuating weather conditions. As stated by a worker, the start of the season was delayed by over a week due to unusually warm weather in October and November, highlighting the inherent unpredictability of the project.

II. Material Sourcing & Preparation

All materials originate from the nearby Tana River. Construction begins in early March when the river ice reaches a thickness of 80-90 centimeters. Large blocks, measuring 2.5 meters long and 1 meter wide, are cut from the ice, with each block weighing between 1.7 and 1.8 tons. This year, over 1,200 blocks were harvested. However, natural snowfall is insufficient and often too powdery for construction. Therefore, the Icehotel utilizes snow cannons, pumping water from the river to produce snow with the desired water/humidity content, requiring approximately 30,000 cubic meters of snow.

III. The Construction Process: Casting & Artistic Design

Actual construction commences when temperatures consistently remain below freezing, typically around November. The primary building technique is a “casting process.” Metal arches are erected as forms, and snow is sprayed over them. This snow is allowed to rest and harden for one to two days, depending on the temperature. Removing the forms requires careful execution, as the roof could collapse if not done correctly, necessitating strict safety protocols.

This year’s Icehotel spans approximately 30,000 square feet and includes a main hall, a ceremony hall (for weddings and events), and 12 custom-designed suites. These suites are the result of an international open competition, attracting submissions from artists worldwide. In 2025, the competition received 257 applications from 36 or 37 countries. The jury selects projects, then collaborates with the artists to translate their visions into buildable designs. As one artist noted, “We have our sketches, but also it’s a little bit different getting into the room in this.”

IV. Lighting, Finishing & Operational Considerations

Given the monochromatic nature of the building material, meticulous attention is paid to lighting design. The interplay of light and ice color is crucial for creating ambiance. The team focuses on achieving effective contrast, such as utilizing “yellow orangey color of the ice” against a blue backdrop.

Opening a new Icehotel annually is a significant undertaking. Marie, likely a manager, acknowledges the stress involved, stating, “Opening a new hotel can be a little stressful. There are CEOs or hotel managers that do it once in their lifetime. We have to do it every year.” The hotel reinvests all profits back into the business for continuous improvement and evolution.

V. Economic Impact & Sustainability

Ice rooms at the Icehotel start at approximately $300 per night. The hotel has inspired similar lodges globally, but remains a prominent destination. The experience of sleeping in a cold room is described as “meditative,” allowing guests to connect with their surroundings.

A key challenge identified is the limited infrastructure in the Arctic region. The Icehotel advocates for improved transportation links (flights and trains) to benefit not only the hotel but the entire tourism industry in the area. As stated, “We would love for more flights to come here and more trains to come here. So infrastructure is a big challenge for us.” The hotel views the Arctic as a region “really, really worth visiting” and actively promotes its unique appeal.

VI. Adapting to Environmental Factors & Long-Term Vision

Luca emphasizes the importance of adaptability, stating, “I have to realize that I can’t control everything. Yes, it happens that the weather decides for us. Sometimes it's too warm to start building. Sometimes it's too cold because the machines don't work in the cold. So we constantly have to adjust to the weather. So she's in charge, not me.” This highlights the hotel’s pragmatic approach to environmental challenges. Martin, a visitor, marvels at the construction, stating, “It’s hard to believe that it’s made of ice. It really is. It’s just stunning.”

Conclusion:

The Icehotel represents a remarkable feat of engineering, artistry, and business acumen. Its annual reconstruction demands constant adaptation to the Arctic environment, meticulous material management, and a commitment to artistic innovation. The hotel’s success hinges on its ability to balance the challenges of a harsh climate with the allure of a unique and immersive guest experience, while simultaneously advocating for sustainable tourism development in the Arctic region.