November 10, 2011 – Lovers of winter have something to celebrate: Finland’s Snow Village, the world’s first ice hotel chain with existing complexes in both Finland and Norway, is setting up Montréal’s very own ice complex in Parc Jean-Drapeau this winter.
The Snow Village, designed by the Montréal firm Snow Village Canada in conjunction with the architectural firm of DCYSA Architecture et Design and the Camdi design firm, is the first of its kind to be set up in a major metropolitan area. With its breathtaking décor sculpted by none other than specialists from the city of Harbin (China), renowned for its annual International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, it promises to be spectacular. The imposing structure will include an hotel featuring 25 suites, four polar igloos, a fully-heated panoramic igloo, a bar, a restaurant, a conference centre, a terrace, a boutique and a chapel – wedding bells, anyone? – all completely constructed from ice and snow. There will even be a section with 5 hot tubs!
The guest rooms and suites will be available to those who dare to try this extraordinary wintry accommodation experience. What’s more, clients, colleagues or business partners will long talk of the meeting they attended in one of the conference centre’s three meeting rooms – two of which are fully-heated –, sure to be the most unique (and memorable) corporate setting ever!
All work and no play just isn’t any fun, and the Snow Village is well set up for that, too. Epicureans will flock to the enchanting Pommery Ice Restaurant for fine cuisine incorporating local products. Visitors will also quickly warm up to the Amarula Ice Bar, a large igloo with its splendid décor, musical entertainment and – ironically – its warm atmosphere.
If you’re worried about the cold, the interior temperature of the Village buildings stays between a balmy -2 and -5°C (28 and 23°F) thanks to snow’s incredible insulating properties. So if you’re the type who laughs in the face of Old Man Winter, bundle up and head over to the Snow Village (until March 31 that is)!
