In the Hotel of Ice and Snow.

This past weekend Miriam and I headed north to Quebec City and the Ice Hotel.  I was last in the Ice Hotel in March of 2008 for a Vermont Vows photo shoot (possibly my favorite of the 100+  shoots I've done with them), but I've never spent any amount of time in Quebec City.  

Aside from the incessant wind that brought the already chilly temperatures down to what even I would call 'pretty cold', we had a great time meandering our way through the Old City, stopping every so often for delicious food and the warmth of cafes.

 Then it was off to the Ice Hotel.  Winter is by far my favorite season and after being wowed by the Ice Hotel a few years ago, I've felt a need to go back.  The sheer size of the structure is impressive, 36 rooms to sleep in, a chapel, bar/club, ice slide, gallery, and a cafe. Ceilings in the main hallways were about 20ft tall and temperatures never stray from the mid 20's (regardless of outside temps).  The Ice Hotel now has it's own special location, a mere 10 minutes from downtown Quebec City.  Each year's incarnation is open from January - March.

They change the design of the rooms each year, asking artists to work their magic.  

As always, these (and many more) photos of Quebec City and the Ice Hotel are available for purchase digitally or as framed prints through my stock photostore.

The Old City with the giant Chateau Frontenac towering over it.

One of the many horse drawn carriages.

Le Chateau Frontenac

Miriam enjoying the sun and snow.

Ice skating outside the Palais Montcalm.

The Ice Hotel Chapel's front door

The alter inside the chapel.

Great details on the 'stained ice' windows and columns.

It took some time to push past the tour groups, but they finally thinned out.

Inside the bar/club.  There was an under the sea theme throughout.

The door to the main gallery at sunset.

A basic double room

Themed room.

The gas fireplace is just for show.  It's insulated so that heat doesn't escape and melt the room.

The chandelier in the main gallery.

Seating and wall.

Seating in the cafe.

The cafe

Inside the roots of a tree.

Gingerbread candy house.

The largest of the suites, this one had it's own hot tub (outside the door)

After the sun set, the lights created a very psychedelic feel in the club.

Deer skins keep you from melting the ice when you sit.

Electrical outlets are throughout the hotel.

Chandelier

An ice shot glass with delicious maple whiskey

Sliding down the ice slide

I can't wait to see what they do next year!