This document discusses the 25th anniversary of the Icehotel in Swedish Lapland. It provides background on how the Icehotel was founded in 1989 and has grown over 25 years to become a renowned work of art built entirely of ice and snow each winter. The document explores some of the creative challenges the Icehotel team has undertaken and looks forward to the special events and installations planned for the 25th anniversary season. It also shares tips for visiting the Icehotel and experiencing other aspects of authentic Lapland culture.

1. Icehotel
C r e a t i n g i n s p i r a t i o n a l t a i l o r m a d e h o l i d a y s
SEP TEMB ER 2 0 1 4 5
25
YEARS OF THE
ICEHOTEL
ANNIVERSARY
EDITION
The coolest hotel
in the world
favourite
ice designs Discover
PHOTOGRAPHING
THE NORTHERN
LIGHTS
the best
of Lapland
STORY OF
THE ICEHOTEL

2. Welcome to the Icehotel
It’s a year of special anniversaries. This winter marks the 25th year of the Icehotel,
and at Discover the World we’re celebrating 30 years of creating inspirational
tailor made holidays.
As the UK’s leading operator of holidays to
the Icehotel, we’d like to wish the whole team
there many happy returns – especially since
we always enjoy seeing how this incredible
place surpasses itself with each new build.
In this special issue we’re exploring
what goes into creating each
new Icehotel as well as looking
back at its history, what makes
Swedish Lapland such an
incredible place to visit –
and, most importantly,
how you can make the
most of your time there.
What’s InsIDE
04 The story of the Icehotel
06 Art & Design in ice
08 The life of a husky musher
09 Fly direct to the Icehotel
10 Experience authentic Lapland
12 Tips for sleeping on ice Discover the Icehotel is interactive!
Click on the green links to explore...
02 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812
13 5 minutes with Arne Bergh
14 Searching for the aurora?
16 When to travel to Swedish Lapland
18 Icehotel combinations

3. Celebrate the 25th Icehotel in the
Aurora Hall! Brand new for winter
2014/15, a spectacular ice theatre will
host live performances and events
throughout the season. The events
schedule will be released in the autumn
so keep an eye on our blog for further
details as they’re announced.
Guarantee yourself a white Christmas
Where better to immerse yourself in Christmas spirit than
Lapland? Join the locals as they take a torchlight procession
to Jukkasjärvi’s picturesque church for a Christmas Day carol
concert. And don’t forget to look out overhead for the
northern lights! See when to travel to Swedish Lapland
on page 16.
2500 blocks of ice are
harvested each year for the
Icehotel – each one weighing
1.6 tonnes and measuring
2 x 1 x 0.8 metres.
Did you know? There are more huskies than
there are people in Swedish Lapland! Husky
sledding is one of the most fun ways to explore
the snow covered surrounds of the Icehotel and you can
even opt to transfer from the airport to Jukkasjärvi
on a husky sled for an exciting way to start your holiday.
Read our Q&A master musher on page 08.
FUN FACT
Fly Direct The quickest
and most convenient way to
reach the Icehotel from the UK
is on our direct flight to Kiruna
which takes just 3½ hours from
London Heathrow. Find out
more on page 09.
Northern Lights
Learn how to capture incredible
aurora images on page 14.
discover-the-world.co.uk 03
©William Gray
©Ragnar TH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com

4. Seize the day and make the most of every
moment. Live up to that motto and you’ll
discover that, even if we don’t live
forever, almost anything is possible.
Yngve Berqvist on creativity and possibilities.
The story
of the Icehotel
The story started in November 1989 when Yngve Berqvist, an
adventure tour director and entrepreneur, invited two Japanese
ice sculptors to lead a workshop for artists in Swedish Lapland.
04 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812

5. discover-the-world.co.uk 05
an iceberg for a
Chanel catwalk.
They’ve even built an ice
bar in the Sahara!
It won’t surprise you to hear
that the question that the
team, under Creative Director
Arne, asks is not ‘can we?’
but ‘how can we…?’ when
it comes to planning each
year. Design submissions for
Art Suites are considered
from both experienced ice
sculptors and novices to keep
challenging what is possible.
For the ‘cold accommodation’
it’s a clean slate each year –
but the extreme creativity
of this aspect of the hotel is
balanced by the well planned
and developed year-round
buildings and facilities. The
combination makes a stay
at the Icehotel a special
experience all round.
It’s not long now until we
open the reindeer-hide doors
on the 25th chapter in the
Icehotel’s story. Seeing is
believing with the Icehotel
and for this very special
season they have
some extra special
Art Suites,
celebrations
and innovations
planned....
It was so successful that, in 1990, Berqvist’s
team decided to see what else was possible
in ice and snow, and built an igloo which
was used as a community centre and art
gallery. It wasn’t until a group of tourists
asked if they could stay overnight in this
‘Artic Hall’ – a play on its Arctic location
and artistic conception – a couple of years
later that he really started to think big.
TORNE
RIVER
Meanwhile, sculptors and ICE
friends Arne Bergh and Ake
Larsson visited the much
talked about ‘Artic Hall’
while competing in the
Kiruna Snow Festival in 1993.
Seduced by Lapland and
surprised by the possibilities
of working in ice, they joined
Berqvist’s team at the newly
renamed Icehotel, and never
looked back.
Creative challenges (over and
above designing and building
a hotel from scratch each year)
have come thick and fast for
the Icehotel team, pushing the
boundaries of their creativity.
The team have created a
faux-glacier cave for a film
set, staged a Sámi version of
Hamlet in an icy recreation
of The Globe theatre, hosted
fashion shoots for supermodels,
built a working ice drumkit and
©ICEHOTEL
©Ragnar TH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com

6. Art & design in ice
When the creative drive of Arne Bergh and Ake Larsson met the entrepreneurial
oomph of Yngve Berqvist, history was made. Their conceptual stance of creating
‘pure art from pure materials’ has developed over 25 winters, being refined and
re-sculpted each year in new, challenging and beautiful forms.
06 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812

7. discover-the-world.co.uk 07
Over the last quarter of a century the edifice of the
Icehotel has developed from being an art gallery to
becoming a work of art itself – no mere backdrop. Those
visiting this winter will encounter a rainforest, the inner
mechanics of a clock, the inside of a bell-pepper and the
opulence of the 17th century, frozen in time. Here’s a
look back at some of our favourite creations.
D id you know?
You can design your
own suite at the
Icehotel.
Click here to find out more
Click to view our photo gallery

8. HUSKY MUSHER
Master-musher Kenth Fjellborg has been running husky sledding
journeys since the late 1980’s and we’ve worked with him for thirty
years now. Based near the Icehotel, he’s reached the North Pole and
completed the gruelling Iditarod race in Alaska.
How long have you been
working with sled dogs?
When I was a teenager I helped my neighbours
with their dogs. I started teaching people to
mush around 1987, then travelled to Alaska to
learn more about the competitive side of the
sport. I got my own dogs in 1990.
What has been your most rewarding
experience of husky sledding?
Travelling across Alaska in the Iditarod (a 1200
mile sled dog race – the longest in the world)
was very memorable. Also, reaching the North
Pole with Prince Albert II of Monaco’s husky
expedition in 2006 was very rewarding.
What do you need to enjoy a husky
sledding experience?
Nothing! If you are able to walk you can ride
a sled, or even drive your own dog team –
although to drive a team we recommend
being over 12 years old.
What else would you recommend
in Swedish Lapland?
Check out the reindeers and try ice-sculpting,
I don’t think anyone should miss that.
How has the Icehotel influenced
Jukkasjärvi over the last 25 years?
A lot, it has really changed everything. The
Icehotel has put our little village on the map.
What’s next for you? Do you foresee
a return to competitive dog sledding?
Yes, actually I do, but I think it is a few
more years away…
The life of a
Check out our Exclusive Winter Wilderness
Escape, which you can read about on our blog
08 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812

9. Fly direct to the Icehotel
When you’re jetting off on a short break, especially one as special as a visit
to the Icehotel, no-one wants to spend more time at the airport than necessary.
Our exclusive direct flight from the UK to the Icehotel takes just 3½ hours,
saving you 5-9 hours in transit compared to the alternative route via Stockholm.
Benefits of flying direct
• Flight time: 3.5hrs
• Meals & drinks included
• Standard baggage allowance: 23kg
• Pre-bookable seats: free of charge
• Departures: 12 return flights between
December and March
• Dedicated Discover the World representatives
at the airport & at the Icehotel
discover-the-world.co.uk 09
PREMIUM
UPGRADE
With convenient flight times
from the newly redeveloped
Heathrow Terminal 2 to
Kiruna, it’s the quickest and
most convenient way for you to reach the
Icehotel. There are plenty of additional
benefits too, and a Premium Class upgrade
available to really start your holiday in style.
Find out more about flying direct
to the Icehotel
5 things to do with the time
you save by flying direct

10. EXPERIENCE
Authentic Lapland
Snow covered forests, cloudberry delicacies, Sami culture and
the howling of huskies in the distance…these are just some of the
highlights that epitomise Swedish Lapland and that no visitor
should leave without experiencing! Here’s a roundup of some of our
favourite things to see and do in this real life winter wonderland.
10 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812

11. Tips from our Travel Specialists
1 Husky Sledding
Whether you’re taking a ride as a passenger or mushing
your own team of dogs, whooshing across the vast,
unspoilt landscape of Swedish Lapland is an experience
not to be missed.
2 Delicious Local Cuisine
Nothing tops off a day out in the snow than a homely meal
savoured by the fire at the Homestead. Just a ten minute
walk from the Icehotel through Jukkasjärvi, this charming
log building offers a rustic and welcoming atmosphere.
3 Explore by Snowmobile
There are said to be 65,000 snowmobiles in Lapland,
and it’s one of the quickest and most convenient ways to
explore this corner of the world. Going in search of the
northern lights by snowmobile is definitely one of the
most exhilarating ways to spend an evening!
4 The Northern Lights
Although you can view the magical aurora borealis from
most locations in Swedish Lapland, Abisko National Park
offers increased chances of witnessing this incredible
occurrence. Go to page 14 to find out why.
5 Sami Reindeer Encounter
Lapland’s indigenous people are the Sami and around
20,000 live in Swedish Lapland along with 120,000 reindeer
and 65,000 snowmobiles! With 2,000 years of tradition
behind them, their influence and customs are still much in
evidence today.
6 Sleeping on Ice
Snuggling down in your sleeping bag at -5C might sound
daunting, but the cool and quiet means it’s often described
as the best nights’ sleep of your life. Waking up to hot
lingonberry juice and a sauna is a treat in itself.
©Ragnar TH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com
Did you know?
The Sámi year is traditionally
divided into eight seasons,
each tied to a period of
reindeer herding.
click here
©ICEHOTEL/Hans Olof Utsi
©ICEHOTEL
discover-the-world.co.uk 11

12. Tips for
Don’t settle down too early
Wait until you are feeling a little
sleepy before retreating to
your Snow Room or Art Suite.
Don’t take a shower
or sauna before bedtime
Wet skin and hair are a definite no no. The
natural oils on your skin offer a layer of protection
against the elements.
Don’t overdress – just a thin
thermal layer, socks, gloves and a hat
are sufficient for many. For added
comfort you may want to take
a zip up fleece, just in case.
Do keep your snow boots next
to your bed – just in case you need
to take a middle of the night dash
to the facilities! Keep
warm!
a great
night ’s leep!
Zzz…
Do relax Many claim the pure air and silence
of the snowy surrounds gives them a great
night’s sleep. So just
remember to relax and
enjoy the experience.
It’s an adventure after all…
sleeping in ice
Do acclimatise in the Icebar
with a delicious cocktail made from local
ingredients such as cloudberry and vodka.
Best to stick to just a couple of drinks.
12 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812

13. Sculptor Arne Bergh became the Creative Director of the Icehotel
in 1997 and oversees the annual selection of the international team
of artists who come together to design and build this incredible
feat of architecture. We caught up with him to find out more...
How important is Icehotel’s 25th
anniversary to you?
It means that we have become a sustainable
attraction, valuable not only for ourselves but
also for the community, Lapland and Sweden.
What’s been your favourite design/
Art Suite/ice creation?
Hmm...difficult question! I get new favourites
each year. My intention is that every new edition
of the Icehotel should be the best, and so I
always fancy the new designs that interpret the
ice and snow in a new way.
What is your vision for Icehotel’s future?
To keep up the good work, never leaning back
and trusting that we can just go on like before.
To continue developing new techniques in
building, to create more art!
discover-the-world.co.uk 13
What attracts you to working with ice?
The idea of not thinking about the future –
working with an ephemeral material and
being in the creative moment.
How do you make sure each year is
different? Where do you find inspiration?
Both new and old artists arrive for each new
Icehotel build and they always challenge what
is possible to create; that’s how I get inspiration.
We also have a policy that nothing is repeated
except the chandeliers.
Describe your typical day during the
building of the Icehotel?
First thing I check my emails and meet with all
the artists. After that, my day is spent consulting
the teams, attending to whichever project I’m
running myself and meeting with the press.
Sometimes in the evening I serve dinner in my
house across the river; I like to cook with local
fish and game.
Try ice sculpting for yourself or read
our blog to find out what it’s like.
5 minutes with
Arne Bergh

14. Searching for
the northern lights?
The northern lights often feature high on travel wish lists and bucket lists alike.
And not without good reason. Mystery and wonder shroud this spectacular
natural phenomenon. And whilst we know what causes the aurora, the relative
uncertainty as to when they’ll be visible is behind much of the excitement and
anticipation surrounding this fantastical display light display.
In January 2014 there was a huge 80.5% chance
of witnessing the lights at Aurora Sky Station.
fact
14 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812
See the
lights on one
of our Cool
Combinations
on page 18

15. discover-the-world.co.uk 15
When can I see the northern lights?
Where is best to see the aurora?
Can you guarantee I’ll see them?
All of these are questions we’re frequently asked.
And whilst the answer to the last is probably
the most certain (no we can’t!) our years of
experience have taught us a thing or two about
improving your chances of finding them.
With this in mind it’s no wonder that Abisko
National Park is such a popular destination for
avid aurora seekers. Deep in the heart
of Lapland, the Aurora Sky Station in
Abisko has one of the best track records
for northern lights sightings on earth.
The reason being a quirk of climate and
the local prevailing winds which keep the
skies overhead almost always cloud free and
the area one of the driest in Lapland. This
creates the perfect weather conditions for
viewing the aurora.
Easily combined with a stay at the Icehotel,
Abisko is just an hour’s drive north of Kiruna
airport. And if you don’t opt to stay overnight at
the Mountain Station, night time excursions
to the area are offered from the Icehotel.
5 things to remember when
photographing the northern lights
Don’t become so obsessed with trying to capture an image
that you forget to just stop and stare and wonder.
Wear lots of layers – including on your hands. Silk liner gloves
keep your fingers toasty while you’re adjusting camera controls.
The lens that you use is the most important thing – you ideally
need a lens with a fast maximum aperture. The longer your camera
spends taking a picture, the more prone it is to movement.
You’ll need a decent tripod – it’s important to keep your camera
as still as possible when photographing the Northern Lights.
A shot of the sky full of pretty green lights is fine but composition
and some good old-fashioned rules of photography will play
a large part in your success.
1
2
3
4
5
Read Will’s advice on turning protons into pixels
in full on our website.
Award winning
travel writer and
photographer
Will Gray (below)
gives us his tips on
photographing
the aurora.

16. Direct Flight
Departure Dates
Winter 2014-2015
20, 23*, 27, 30* Dec 2014
24, 31 Jan 2015
07, 14, 17*, 21, 28 Feb 2015
07 Mar 2015
16 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812
When to travel to
Swedish Lapland
*4 night departures
For more benefits of flying
direct, visit our website.
November Icehotel build commences. Dependent
on the weather conditions and snow,
the Icehotel Art & Design team will begin
work on creating the 25th Icehotel.
December Icehotel opens! Travel in December and
you will get to see the build in action.
20 First direct flight! Take advantage of the
dark skies overhead to watch out for the
northern lights.
24 Spend Christmas in a winter wonderland
like no other and enjoy a torch lit
procession and candle lit carol service at
the quaint village church in Jukkasjärvi.
31 See the new year in somewhere different
with colourful ice cocktails in the Icebar!
January Experience the return of the daylight as
Polar night, ‘Kaamos’, comes to an end.
February Longer hours of daylight and increasingly
mild temperatures make outdoor
activities even more fun.
14 Spend the most romantic day of the
year in romantic Scandi style.
17 For teenagers and grown up children
alike, spend the school holidays exploring
Swedish Lapland.
March Increased solar activity around the Spring
Equinox often means dramatic Northern
Lights sightings.
7 Last chance to fly direct to the Icehotel…
until next winter!
©Ragnar TH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com
©Ragnar TH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com

17. discover-the-world.co.uk 17
The ICEHOTEL is phenomenal –
it’s such a unique experience to stay
there and it’s so beautiful. I think
this has been one of our best holidays
ever; it was truly magical.
The Art Suite just blew our minds
– it’s hard to put into words just
how spectacular this hotel is.
Gemma May & Donna Venn
Rowena Summers

18. Cool combinations:
the Icehotel and beyond
Best for…an aurora adventure:
Northern Lights, Abisko
and the Icehotel
Combining human creativity with natural scenic
beauty, the Icehotel and Abisko are a perfect
complement to each other. This short break, visiting
both, has it all – a stay in the spectacular Icehotel,
the chance to experience a range of thrilling winter
activities and a night at the Abisko Mountain
Station in Abisko National Park, one of the best
places in the world for northern lights viewings.
3 nights from £1,278 (incl direct flights)
Best for…travelling like a local:
Husky Wilderness Adventures
Experience Lapland’s great outdoors on a
traditional dogsled as you ‘mush’ your own
team of huskies through the beautiful forests of
Jukkasjärvi. Staying at the rustic Wilderness Lodge
you’ll spend your days whooshing through the
sparkling snow, and your evenings relaxing in a
wood-fired sauna and keeping a lookout
for the aurora.
3, 4 or 6 nights from £1,673
(incl direct flights)
18 Talk to the experts 01737 218 812

19. discover-the-world.co.uk 19
Best for…natural wonders:
Iceland and the Icehotel
Discover a plethora of wonders – both natural
and man-made – on this cracking combination
trip. Geysers, waterfalls and volcanoes await in
Iceland’s striking volcanic landscapes, making a
striking contrast to the elegance of the Icehotel
and the sweeping, snow-blanketed beauty
of Swedish Lapland.
7 nights from £1,680 (incl flights)
Best for…an independent adventure:
Tromsø, Abisko & Icehotel
Explore the charismatic Arctic city of Tromsø –
nicknamed ‘Paris of the North’ – before catching a
train across the frozen landscape of high mountains
and sweeping snowy vistas on your way to Abisko
for some world-class aurora hunting. Continue by
train to Kiruna for a visit to the iconic Icehotel.
7 nights from £1,535 (incl flights)
Best for…scenic Nordic charm:
Icehotel, Abisko
& Lofoten
Chase the aurora across the snow-covered north,
staying at the ultra-cool Icehotel, visiting the Aurora
Sky Station, exploring the dramatic and spectacular
Arctic islands and enjoying a scenic rail journey
across Lapland.
7 nights from £1,447 (incl flights)
©MennoSchaefer
©RelaxFoto.de

20. Plan your
Icehotel
adventure
Start planning…
To browse our full range of
Icehotel breaks and holidays
in all our destinations:
Visit our website
discover-the-world.co.uk
Order a copy of our brochures
or read them online
Ready to book?
Contact our team of Travel
Specialists to request a tailor
made quote via our website, email
travel@discover-the-world.co.uk
Call us on 01737 218 812
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