1. The original ICEbar
A drink in the ICEbar is a highlight of everyone’s
stay at the ICEhotel. Drinking colorful vodka cocktails out of ice glasses at a bar made
of ice, whilst surrounded by ice from floor to ceiling. The temperature is -5°
Celsius, both the bar and the glasses, no ice cubes needed!
The very first ICEbar was created in the ICEhotel in
1994. Since then the bar is re-created each year to a new theme. The cocktails
served in the bar, all based on the Swedish Absolut Vodka, are inspired by the
surroundings and heritage of Swedish Lapland. Try the “Rain of Memories”,
created to celebrate the northern lights, made from Absolut Mango, cucumber
syrup, sparkling wine, lime juice and Blue Curaçao.
An innovative cocktail in a unique setting!
2. Sleeping on a bed of ice
It’s not only sleeping in a temperature of -5°
Celsius, it’s also sleeping inside a piece of art. This is a once-in-a-lifetime
experience. And even though it’s -5° inside, it’s better than being outside
where it is -30°! You are kept warm in your ice bed by a mattress of isolating
reindeer skin, and a specially designed thermal sleeping bag that keeps you
warmer than your bed at home.
3. Meeting the indigenous Sámi people
Usually they are pretty hidden in Lapland, living on
remote locations, herding their reindeer. Luckily, there is a reindeer farm in
the forests surrounding the ICEhotel. It’s fascinating to see the original
inhabitants of Lapland in their local habitat, in authentic colorful clothing,
and reindeer skin shoes. You can learn all about reindeer, how to catch them
with a Lappish lasso, and take a ride in a reindeer sled, just like Santa!
4. Go for a husky safari
When entering the husky kennel near the Torne River,
you’re struck by how energetic and noisy the dogs are. As soon as they take
off, the serenity sets in. These dogs are clearly happiest when they are running. There is a
stop on the road in the-middle-of-nowhere for coffee and cake by an open fire.
The huskies on the other hand cuddle up next to each other to keep warm. So friendly and warm these
animals are! They are definitely the
highlight of the trip.
5. Watch the northern lights
You should see this miracle of nature at least once
in your life. The magic of the green lights dancing in the night skies is
unforgettable, not to mention standing in the unique setting of snow-covered
pine trees and fairytale-like frozen lakes. The northern lights can be seen in
the entire north of Scandinavia, take a look at abiskoaurora.com for the best
northern lights holidays in the Abisko area and the ICEhotel. You don’t want to
miss out on this!
