Hôtel de Glace

The only one of its kind in North America, the Hôtel de Glace (ice hotel) changes theme each winter to the delight of locals and tourists alike.

It is the first and only ice hotel in North America and is built each December for an opening date in early January. The hotel has a three-month lifespan each year before being brought down in April.

It has now 51 double beds, all made of ice and followed by a solid wood base and comfortable mattress. When the time comes, a cozy sleeping bag, an isolating bed sheet and a pillow are delivered to the rooms. Only the bathrooms are heated and located in a separate insulated structure.

It takes about a month and a half to build with 50 workers. The Hotel makes its own snow using a special mixture to adjust the humidity. It is built with metal frames, it is allowed to harden for a few days, and then the cranes are removed. The hotel is made of 30,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice and the walls are up to four feet thick.

Hotel de Glace provides rooms in Saint-Gabriel-De-Valcartier. The hotels features three thematic ice bars. There is also an indoor ice slide, and free WiFi is provided.

Guests will sleep in rooms at a temperature between -3 and -5 degrees Celsius. Rooms come with a sleeping bag and pillows, and guests will be greeted with a cocktail in an ice glass. Guests have access to shared bathrooms and a bed in a dormitory room if choosing to sleep indoors.

There is an ice chapel with 70 seats. Guests will also enjoy the relaxing Nordic relaxation area featuring outdoor spas and sauna. There is an indoor water park, which guests can access for an additional fee.

Facilities

• Free parking
• Free WiFi
• Non-smoking rooms
• Bar
• Hot tub/jacuzzi
• Fitness centre
• Sauna
• 24-hour front desk
• Chapel/shrine
• Non-smoking rooms