Hôtel de Glace, located just 10 minutes from scenic Old Quebec, has opened up once again on January 3, allowing guests from near and far to experience this unique winter attraction: a hotel made entirely of ice and snow. Curious? We have the scoop on everything you need to know about taking a trip to see it for yourself – and why you should.
Whether you simply stop by to check it out, or stay overnight, the experience is sure to be a memorable one.
How the hotel comes to be each year
Each year since 2001 Hôtel de Glace reopens for the winter, and this winter you can plan a visit from January 3 (overnight stays begin on January 5) to March 22. The process of rebuilding the ice structure starts in early December, once the temperature is below zero for a week, and the construction takes six weeks to complete. It takes approximately 50 people to help build it, some of whom are on the construction team and others are sculptors who decorate the structure once it’s complete. More than 15,000 tons of snow is needed to build the hotel and all of that white stuff is made on-site with snow blowers. The snow used to build the hotel needs to be humid and dense so that it becomes as hard as ice, and if you’re wondering why they don’t just use what’s fallen on the ground it is because the snow from the sky is too dry and won’t harden properly.
Since 2001, Hôtel de Glace has become an international tourist destination. More than one million people have visited the hotel, in addition to the more than 49,000 guests who have spent the night.
Get to know this year’s Hôtel de Glace
Hôtel de Glace has a surface area of 3,000 square metres with 44 rooms and thematic suites, a grand hall with a beautiful ice chandelier, an ice bar with a capacity for 400 people, an ice café that can be turned into a chapel for weddings and an ice slide for guests of all ages. Snowshoeing equipment can also be rented on-site.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the stunning and totally unique hotel made of snow and ice and in honour of that, a new section will highlight the history of Hôtel de Glace. It will include a timeline, souvenirs, snow sculptures and more. The design of Hôtel de Glace this year was inspired by space-time, a theme that takes visitors on a journey through successive areas, where the idea is that the past and future are frozen in time. ‘Time bubbles’ – from the Big Bang to space travel – are featured throughout the hotel as a way to showcase the theme.
Visiting the hotel
There are many ways to experience the Hôtel de Glace that don’t involve an overnight stay. Take a tour of the property either alone, or with a guide, to learn more about its architecture or choose a cocktail package that, in addition to a tour, includes a visit to the bar where you’ll get a cocktail served in an ice glass. If you have more time, opt for lunch and a tour, which gets you access to the hotel as well as a lunch of soup, salad and sandwich. A behind the scenes tour includes a more in-depth explanation of how the hotel works, a visit to the ice workshop, the making of your own ice glass and a trip to the Ice Bar for a cocktail in your ice glass.
Staying at the hotel
Feel like spending the night? There are four types of accommodations available at the Hôtel de Glace for those wanting to get the full experience of the unique property. Choose from regular rooms, theme suites, premium theme suites with a fireplace, and premium deluxe suites with a fireplace and a private spa.
Even in the hotel, the rooms and its furniture are entirely made of ice and snow, but we promise you will still be getting a very comfortable bed. The base of the bed is made from blocks of ice followed by a solid wood base and a comfortable mattress. When it’s time to turn in, a cozy sleeping bag, an isolating bed sheet and a pillow will be delivered to your room. The thick snow walls of the hotel act as a windshield and keep the Hôtel de Glace well insulated. The temperature inside varies only by a few degrees, between -3 C and -5 C.
Between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., all the overnight guests have access to the hotel’s nordic relaxation area which has outdoor spas and a sauna to enjoy. You’ll have the opportunity to relax under the stars, so if you’re staying the night, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
There are also various packages to choose from such as the discovery package, the adventure package, the romantic getaway package, and an ultimate getaway package to help personalize your experience.
Fun winter activities nearby
Take advantage of some of the area’s winter activities during your stay. Located just five minutes from the Hôtel de Glace you’ll find Ski de fond Charlesbourg, a non-profit organization that offers 15 cross-country skiing circuits, two snowshoeing trails and 18 kilometres of hiking trails. Also nearby is the opportunity to go for a dogsled ride with Aventures Nord-Bec Stoneham, or check out La Faune Spa et détente, where you can enjoy the polar thermal experience, which includes a heated spa-pool, cold bath, Finnish sauna and relaxing fireplace area.
Featured image: © Luc Rousseau
