We are in a privileged situation here at ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi. Living so close to nature, even living off nature, with an abundance of pure freshwater from the Torne River, we are able to tap this inexhaustible source daily. I feel a sense of pride and gratitude to be able to witness and take part in the river's ecocycle. In the spring, it is humbling when ICEHOTEL melts and we return our "building material" to the Torne River.
A focus on environment and sustainability comes naturally when one works, as we do, so close to the delicate nature of Swedish Lapland. In 2008 ICEHOTEL set the goal to not only become climate-neutral by 2015, but also to deliver an energy surplus. We refer to this as the CO2-negative project. During the year, we have left no stone unturned in this effort, and the commitment in our organization has been fantastic. Everyone wants to help out. We have gone through everything from heating and lighting at ICEHOTEL to logistics and transportation. Now, we are much closer to achieving our goal several years ahead of target. We won't let up, but will continue to innovate and inspire others to take the same step.
We wish to share the knowledge and experience we have gained from the power of the pure water and the wild, untamed Torne River, far north of the Arctic Circle. It is therefore incredibly exciting to be able to tell you about how the ICEHOTEL family is growing throughout the world. The most recent addition is the sixth ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL, in Istanbul, which opens in fall 2011. And more bars are in the making in some of the world's hottest major cities. Did you know that the pure freshwater is even purer in ice form? The freezing process pushes out certain minerals, salts and impurities. Therefore, serving drinks "in the rocks", instead of "on the rocks", seems only natural.
Innovation and development based on snow and ice characterize our operations. Several projects are under way; among other things, we are upgrading our prefabrication to be able to extend the season and open ICEHOTEL even earlier. We are also following current research in snow and ice with great interest. One example, at Luleå University of Technology, is a project of which the aim is to extract cold from snow and ice. It is a matter of using the energy, concentrating it, and making cold even colder. We think this is very exciting.
Follow ICEHOTEL on our website and learn how we live hand-in-hand with nature, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland, and of our travels with the Torne River throughout the world. Please feel free to share your own stories and pictures of your encounter with our region and the ICEHOTEL family in Jukkasjärvi and elsewhere in the world.
Yngve Bergqvist
Founder of ICEHOTEL
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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, ella.jonsson@vintermail.se, twitter.com/ellajonsson
Ella Jonsson is a copywriter and author that lives in Luleå, Sweden. She loves vast forests and large cities, loneliness and crowds of people, silence and loud music. Ella says: I’m enchanted with...