How to spend a night in an ice hotel or igloo

An ice hotel stay requires balancing extreme cold with thermal gear and proper moisture management. You will spend one night in a sub-zero room and the rest of your trip in a heated cabin or hotel room to recover and stay warm.

1. Book the split stay. Most ice hotels require you to book a warm room or cabin for the nights you aren't sleeping on ice. Never book the ice suite for your entire trip; 1 night is the limit for comfort.
2. Master the sleeping bag layering. Wear one thin layer of merino wool base layers into the sleeping bag. Do not wear heavy parkas or socks inside the bag, as sweat will freeze and make you colder. Use the provided expedition-grade bag over the ice mattress.
3. Manage your moisture. Before entering your ice room for the night, change into completely dry underwear and socks. If you sweat during the day, your body will rapidly lose heat once you stop moving inside the ice structure.
4. Use the midnight bathroom strategy. Most ice hotels have a separate, heated service building for bathrooms. If you need to go in the middle of the night, keep your boots and a thick coat right next to your sleeping bag for a quick transition.

Will I be freezing all night?

If you follow the instruction to wear only one base layer inside the sleeping bag, you will be surprisingly warm. The bags are rated for -30C temperatures.

Are there showers in the ice rooms?

No. All plumbing is located in a separate, heated facility to prevent pipes from bursting.