World Premiere: Space-Inspired Icebar at Icehotel
The world-renowned Icehotel is celebrating its 35th anniversary this winter with a brand new version of the Icebar in Jukkasjärvi. Here, you can warm up in the crystal-clear cold with a drink and embark on an unforgettable space journey! The new Icebar, “In Orbit,” is being created by the Swedish design studio PinPin Studio in collaboration with astronaut Christer Fuglesang, Sweden’s first astronaut.
Construction will soon begin on a completely redesigned Icebar, unlike any previous versions. Welcome to "In Orbit," where guests can experience life as an astronaut and take part in different aspects of a spectacular space journey, from the launch to the breathtaking view of Earth, and finally, the descent over the ISS.
So, put on your spacesuit, say goodbye to gravity, and let the vastness of space become a part of your visit to Icehotel.
"We all have a longing to travel beyond the known, to gaze at the stars and dream of the infinite. That's why it feels both exciting and rewarding to be able to contribute with the experience from my space journeys in the creation of 'In Orbit,'" says Christer Fuglesang, astronaut.
Fuglesang's Experience Elevates the Icebar to New Heights
Icebar “In Orbit” is being designed by Karl-Johan Ekeroth and Christian Strömqvist, PinPin Studio. When they were asked to create the Icebar in Jukkasjärvi, they immediately knew they wanted to use space as their inspiration.
"For us, the parallels between the natural surroundings of Icehotel and space are obvious. The rugged landscape, the cold, and the feeling of being far away," say Christian Strömqvist and Karl-Johan Ekeroth.
The result? A space journey designed and constructed in collaboration with astronaut Christer Fuglesang. Icebar “In Orbit” is inspired by Fuglesang's journeys to the International Space Station (ISS), and he has contributed his invaluable experiences and knowledge of what it’s really like to be in space.
"We hope to convey Fuglesang’s experiences through the snow and ice in a way that will create new experiences for all visitors for years to come," say the creators of "In Orbit," who are experienced in creating playful and interactive ice and snow projects, including suites for ICEHOTEL, designs for ICEBAR Stockholm, and the annual winter playground in Kiruna.
Icebar In Orbit Grand Opening on November 8
For 35 years, people from around the world have gathered at Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, and the Icebar has always been the natural meeting place. Here, guests exchange experiences and are served drinks in ice glasses made from the ice of the Torne River. The Icebar’s grand opening in the permanent Icehotel 365 section will take place on November 8, and the seasonal part of Icehotel will open on December 13 – we warmly welcome you into the cold!
Sketch presenting Icebar "In Orbit", design by Karl-Johan Ekeroth & Christian Strömqvist, Sweden, in collaboration with Christer Fuglesang.
Ice cold facts: Icebar "In Orbit"
90 cubic meters of ice: The Icebar requires 90 cubic meters of ice, harvested from the Torne River late last winter.
80 cubic meters of snow: That’s how much snow is needed to build the Icebar.
1:1 Astronaut: A life-sized astronaut made of snow will be featured in the Icebar.
3 weeks: It will take three weeks to create the new Icebar. The construction is done in collaboration with Icehotel’s building team.
Long-lasting experience: Icebar Jukkasjärvi is a long-lasting experience, with the previous Icebar remaining for five years and visited by hundreds of thousands of guests.
Icebar “In Orbit”: Located in Icehotel 365, which is the year-round section of Icehotel.
Grand Opening: The Icebar “In Orbit” will open on November 8.
Facts: Icehotel
44 Warm hotel rooms
28 Warm cabins
18 Year-round open art and deluxe suites of ice (-5 degrees Celsius)
32 Winter open art suites and ice rooms (-5 degrees Celsius)
1 Accessible art suite of ice (-5 degrees Celsius)
3 Meeting rooms
1 Ceremonial hall made of ice in the winter hotel (mid-Dec to mid-April)
1 Ice and snow cinema for 29 guests, open year-round
1 Exhibition room made of ice and snow
1 Icebar “In Orbit”
1 Specially designed entrance
3 Restaurants
5 Wilderness camps
ABOUT ICEHOTEL Icehotel opened in 1989 and is besides a hotel also an art exhibition with ever-changing art made out of ice and snow. ICEHOTEL is created in a new guise every winter, made completely from natural ice from the Torne River - one of Sweden's national rivers and last untouched waters. When the winter season's hotel has melted back to the river in the spring, a part of the hotel remains so that visitors can experience the ice and snow year-round.
On December 13, 2024, Icehotel 35 will be ready for the winter with 12 art suites, 20 ice rooms, as well as the Main Hall, and the Ceremony Hall. Everything is handcrafted in ice and snow by artists from around the world. To celebrate the 35th anniversary, there will also be a specially designed art experience outside the entrance of Icehotel. Here, the visitors are encouraged to interact with the material—touch the ice and snow—and collectively participate in the "unveiling" of this year's Icehotel.
The creation of Icehotel 35 begins as soon as the snow falls in northern Sweden. At that time, artists will traditionally gather in Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, to work with the build team, ice production, art support, and lighting team to create and design the 3,000 square meters of winter hotel space made of snow and ice.
See all the design concepts of this year's Icehotel.
