

Canada's Htel de Glace, the unique ice hotel, is back this season for its 13th annual reconstruction. The magical castle-like lodge is built each year with a new themed design out of hundred of thousands of tons of ice and snow. We got a glimpse of last year's wondrous icy architecture featuring elaborate carvings inspired by nature, but this year's construct appears to focus far more on the beauty of the wintery season as explored through its “A Journey to the Center of Winter” theme, inspired by Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth.

The walls are carefully and artistically crafted to transport visitors to a winter wonderland filled with ornate dcor and meticulously sculpted furnishings. Located just outside of Quebec City, the glacial hotel has proven to be quite the hot spot (ironically), drawing the attention of crowds eager to tour, spend the night, or even get married in the frozen venue's equally spectacular chapel. Due to its growth in traffic over the years, the hotel has expanded its number of rooms and suites to 44 from its previous 36. This is, of course, in addition to the hotel's popular Ice Bar and various family-friendly amenities.

Htel de Glace is now open to the public and is welcoming visitors through March 24th.

















Photo credit: [Xavier Dachez]

Htel de Glace website

via [Inhabitat]