A snowflake falls on the snow-covered ground next to the ice hotel, which has a beautiful view of the northern lights. This makes it the best ice hotel to see the northern lights. Even though it’s winter, the air has been getting warmer. But it doesn’t have as much of an effect on northern Sweden. There’s a magical building made of ice there! Inside and outside of the Ice Hotel, there are amazing ice statues that will amaze you. There are rooms inside the building and in houses nearby that you can rent if you’d like to.

Where is it Located?

This beautiful ice hotel has been in northern Sweden since 1989. You can see the northern lights from over there. If you were to drive from Stockholm, it would take about 14 to 16 hours, depending on which way you go. Its address is Marknadsvagen 63, 981 91 Jukkasjarvi. You can even take the bus. But get ready, because the bus ride lasts for 20 hours. To get here, you can either take the E4 or the E45, which both have some turns and small roads ahead of them.

You are at the best ice hotel in Sweden to see the northern lights since you are in northern Sweden. Besides that, you can often see reindeer walking near the roads and learn about the Sami culture. These are the people who have always lived in the country. Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden and is only 17 km (11 miles) from the ice hotel. It has stunning views of the mountains and is home to the Kiruna church, which looks a lot like the traditional huts of the Sami people.

The Tallest Mountain, Kebnekaise

There is a lot of beauty in the northern part of Sweden. There are a few national parks and Kebnekaise, Sweden’s biggest mountain. There is also the ice hotel and the northern lights. If you like being ready for excitement and climbing mountains, this is a great trail for you. My husband and I went up it as soon as COVID got better in June. Here you can find out more about our walk and the things that you can do there.

History About the Ice Hotel

The snow fell hard one day, and a man had the thought to build. So, in 1989, he took a block of ice and made the world’s first ice hotel. With the Northern Lights all around it, this Ice Hotel is now remade every year into a new work of art. The building looks and feels like something from a fairy tale as you walk through it. The air is cold and fresh, and every art will amaze you. The whole place makes you feel like you’re in a different world.

The ice hotel with the northern lights opened for the first time in 1990. From December to April of each year, it is brought back to life. Ice blocks from the Torne River are used to make the chairs and beds again. The different styles of decoration in each room give it a unique feel. The ice church, a bar that serves drinks in ice glasses, and the ice bar are just a few of the popular places to visit. They keep it below freezing, at about -5°C (23°F), so that this structure doesn’t melt.

What to See at the Ice Hotel

If you still want to see more, don’t forget about the ice church I talked about above. It’s the best ice hotel to see the northern lights. You can also sleep somewhere else if you don’t want to sleep in an ice house. They have a fixed hotel called Ice Hotel 365. It’s a real building with rooms that aren’t made of ice. There’s also camping in the wilderness if you want to be close to wildlife.

They also have some package deals that can make a lot of people want to go. One of the bags is a birthday present for someone! It’s for two nights, with one night in the best ice hotel to see the northern lights and the other in a regular hotel that stays open all year. This comes with food and a trip of your choice. Oh, and don’t forget that on your first night in the ice hotel room, there will be a bottle of champagne and ice art all over the place. Besides that, they have a few other packs check them out to help you decide if you want to spend one or two nights at this amazing place.

Northern Lights

As soon as the sky turns dark, colors start to burst over it. You can see the northern lights and the ice hotel at the same time. You can see that the background of greens and blues is painted on, and the ice hotel stands tall and proud as the main subject. One of the best places to see the northern lights is in the very north of Sweden, where you are. If you want to learn more about the northern lights and where in Sweden you can see them best, read TThe Best Places for the Northern Lights in Sweden.

Northern lights in Abisko National Park, Sweden Photo by David Becker on Unsplash

Best Time to Go

There are good and bad things about going to the ice hotel in every season. I’ll explain it in more detail below so you can get a better idea of what the weather is like and when it’s the busiest. This will help you choose where to go and what to bring. But bring sunscreen whenever there is sun, no matter what time of year it is!

The Cold Winter Bite

During the Arctic winter, visit the ice hotel with the northern lights is the busiest and most tourists-filled time to go. From December to February, that is. Since it’s the shortest day of the year, the days are very dark. During this time, the weather can also get pretty high or low. It can get as cold as -40°C (-40°F) in Jukkasjarvi. So, this is not the time of year for people who can’t stand the cold. If you really want to go during the busiest times, you should try to book a room almost a year ahead of time.

The Soft Light of Spring

People who live there love spring and the sunny days that come with it. The days get longer from March to early May, and the temperature rises from -10°C (14°F) to 10°C (50°F). People will be riding snowmobiles or cooking hot dogs over a fire, which will make the snowy scenery come to life with the sound of motors. There will be laughter in the air. Right now is the best time to see the Northern Lights because it’s not as cold as it would be in the winter. Expeditions are even more exciting this time of year! You can go dog sledding, skiing, snowboarding, and do many other things outside.

Ice Harvest During Springtime

Now is the time to gather ice and get ready to build the next ice hotel. The Torne River provides thousands of tons of natural ice, which is then stored during the summer so that the process can begin again. The ice hotel is made from this river. In late April, it melts and flows back into the Torne River. So, this process starts all over again every year.

Summertime Filled with 24 Hour Days

There is a lot of light in Jukkasjarvi because it is 200 km above the Arctic Circle. There are 24 hours of sun. It can be hard to sleep because it never gets dark. Soak in the night sky’s sunshine or take a break in a sauna if that’s the case. From the middle of March to the middle of July, these warm days last for about 16°C (61°F). You can do a few things during these months that will make you appreciate how beautiful the area is.

The Beginning of Shorter Days, Fall Time

Nature is getting ready for the cooler months with a golden mist that covers everything after a summer full of life. In September, the days start to get shorter, and fall lasts until November. The Northern lights are coming back because it’s getting dark again. At this point, you should go into the woods and pick some ripe, tasty mushrooms and berries. At this time, the forest floor and the wild are covered in bright colors. People call fall “harvest time.” Anyone in Sweden can eat any berries or mushrooms they find in the wild. But don’t forget that animals eat them too, so only take what you need.

Best Gear for the Cold

Making sure you have the right gear on is important if you want to stay outside for a long time. I’ve written a few pieces about gear that might be useful to you. I have a list of The Best Essential Winter Hiking Gear for Sweden. A lot of it can be used for any winter trip. I have The Best Outdoor Gear Sweden: The Nature Country on top of that post. The stuff is broken down by season in this piece. But you should bring warmer clothes even if it’s summer in northern Sweden. It’s not like you’re in southern Sweden. Make sure you have the right clothes on and know what the weather will be like before you pack your bags.

Adventures in Sweden

Do you want to have even more exciting things happen in Sweden? Then, at Adventures in Sweden, you can read more about some of the interesting places I’ve visited or see some of the fun things you can do in Sweden. There is a Moose Park in Varmland County where you can get close to them. You can even touch them! Mormor’s glas café is one of my favorite places to get dessert and enjoy a beautiful view of a lake. When you take your first bite of one of their unique treats, you’ll feel like a kid again.

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