“The best place to succeed is where you are with what you have”

Charles M. Schwab

I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Schwab. Winter is back in full force and it is a season we have learned to embrace. Sure it has its advantages and inconveniences but some brilliant people have seen great opportunities to do something extraordinary with the free and unlimited resource provided by Mother Nature: ice and snow.

Such is the case of l’Hôtel de Glace, or the Ice Hotel, is a man-made wonder that has been built near Quebec City since 2001. It has been so successful that over half a million visitors from all over the world have entered its doors. Moreover, about 30 000 daring, brave and adventurous souls have experienced a night at the hotel. It definitely is a bucket list item!

It is now a major tourist attraction in the wintertime and recognized the world over along with similar hotels in Montreal, Finland, Norway and Sweden among others. The Ice Hotel is a source of temporary employment to hundreds of persons, which help boost the tourism industry in the area, city and province of Quebec!

My first visit to l’Hôtel de Glace was a few years ago and let me tell you that nothing prepared me for what we were about to experience. It was like travelling to a different dimension, another world, frozen in time…literally!

Allow me to take you on a photographic tour of the Ice Hotel, a true winter wonderland that will impress and leave you speechless.

Entrance

Native image sculpted on ice

Intricate details

Ice column

The Ice Café is the place to have drinks on the rocks or chill at the bar 🙂

Ice blocks and hallway

Spectacular and color-changing chandelier

Watch guards

Down to the details

Angel watching over us

Federal sponsor

One of the main sponsors, the provincial tourism organization

An artist using a block of ice and turning it into a work of art

Another of his incredible creations

Inside one of the bedrooms at l’Hôtel de Glace.

Plush mattress on an ice base, fluffy pillows and velvet duvet cover

Snow sculpture

One of the most genius marketing/publicity strategies: logo carved on snow.

Did I enjoy the tour even though it left me cold? (Pun intended!)

Absolutely 🙂

Not only I thought it was a pretty cool and original idea (and well worth the trip); I thought it was an excellent way to make use of Nature’s abundance.

As long as you go prepared (dressed appropriately and an adventurous spirit as well as your camera to capture special moments) it will be an unforgettable experience.

I did not get the chance to stay overnight but I am pretty sure it must be quite an experience which totally brings you out of your comfort zone and lets you appreciate what we have at home!

If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend a stop on the way to or from Quebec City.

I also invite you to visit the Snow Village and Ice Hotel in Montreal! Winter will never be the same after that 😉

Now it’s your turn!

I want to know…

 

Have you ever been to an ice hotel or a winter theme park or attraction?

If so, where was it?

Would you ever sleep over inside a cold room?

 

I can’t wait to read all about in the comments!

If you have any photos or link, include them too.

Until next time,

Enjoy the season…Au revoir!

All the best,

K 🙂