With its snow vaults and ice sculptures, this hotel infrastructure has nothing to do with the others.
It is even an exception in North America.
The Ice Hotel of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, in the suburbs of Quebec, reopened its doors on January 3 for the 23rd edition.
A later date than expected (the initial date was December 31) due to the mild spell that hit Canada in December.
Temperatures rose up to nearly five degrees above seasonal norms for most of the month.
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Global warming will have led to adjustments in the agenda.
Because - you will understand - the rooms of this extraordinary hotel, which depends on the Valcartier vacation village, are built from snow and ice.
Not enough to worry the teams in charge of the construction of the building.
“Our artificial snow has a much higher density than natural snow.
We're going to look for a density of almost 75%, so there's just 25% air left.
They say it's snow, but it's more like white ice,”
explained Hugues Painchaud, the site manager, on the program
Première Heure,
on Radio-Canada.
Read alsoIn Quebec, the magic of winter on the St. Lawrence
The fourth phase of the project, the opening of new suites, was thus completed on January 10.
Other steps have yet to take place, including the construction of the Great Slide, on January 16, according to the Ice Hotel website.
As revealed by Radio-Canada, it took 35,000 tons of snow (or 35 million liters of water, depending on the version) to build the hotel.
The artificial snow, cement of this ephemeral construction, was made using cannons, as on the ski slopes.
In total, more than 30 rooms, including 22 themed suites are planned.
In Quebec, the Ice Hotel reopens its doors
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-5°C in the bedrooms
Advantage of the fleeting, the Ice Hotel unveils a new theme this year, inspired by places, themes and atmospheres of nightlife.
Various suites are already available for reservation.
Count at least 399 Canadian dollars, or about 275 euros, to stay in a standard room.
But prices can quickly climb.
You will have to pay 849 Canadian dollars (nearly 590 euros) to access a luxury premium suite, with fireplace, spa and private sauna.
Read alsoSleeping in an ice hotel, instructions for use
For “optimal” comfort, each room is equipped with an insulating sheet and sleeping bags suitable for this frosty experience.
Because the thermometer inside the building is generally around -5°C (it is often -30°C outside).
The hotel asks its customers to dress warmly (principle of three layers) to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
The more cautious can make do with a free visit and discover the chapel, the Grand Hall, but also the ice bar.
If everything goes as planned (i.e. temperatures in line with seasonal norms), the Ice Hotel will be open until April.
And for those who cannot travel to Canada in the coming months, similar structures exist in Europe, more specifically in Finland, Sweden and Norway.
