Québec City in winter feels like stepping into a fairytale. The snow-dusted rooftops, charming cobblestone streets, and festive atmosphere create a magical ambiance. One of the many reasons I chose Québec City for my winter vacation was the chance to visit the Hôtel de Glace or Ice Hotel. Constructed entirely of ice and snow and rebuilt every year with stunning artistry, it was a highlight of my recent trip. If this is on your list of winter destinations, I’m excited to share my experience.
As a kid growing up in Florida, winter activities included building sandcastles on the beach and wearing shorts on Christmas. I never experienced snow days or bundled up for the winter. As an adult, I’m catching up on enjoying those experiences. I chose Québec City because of the range of winter activities it offers. I don’t recall which social platform mentioned the Québec City Ice Hotel as a winter destination, but once I saw it, I couldn’t get it out of my mind.
Book Your Transportation and Tickets
My biggest issue with visiting the Ice Hotel was how I would get there. As you can imagine (being from Florida), I don’t know how to drive in the snow. Uncertain about the weather during my visit, I didn’t book a rental car and planned to rely on Uber for transportation. The Ice Hotel is about 45 minutes from Old Québec City, where I stayed. However, I turned to my reliable travel app, Get Your Guide, to book my transportation and tickets to the Ice Hotel.
Booking through Get Your Guide was incredibly straightforward; the app provided all the necessary information, from directions to where the bus would pick me up to what I could expect during my visit. I received instant confirmation, and the tickets were conveniently stored within the app, ready to be scanned upon arrival. I was so glad I didn’t rent a car. It was so relaxing to let someone else battle the traffic while I sat back and charged my phone using one of the many outlets. During my visit, the 3-hour round-trip tour, including transportation and the entrance ticket to the Ice Hotel, cost 53 dollars. Deal! I couldn’t have Ubered there for less than that. I also visited during the off-season, having the entire bus to myself. I felt like a queen on her way to see her ice castle.
Arriving at the Hôtel de Glace
In my mind, I pictured the Ice Hotel as a distant, remote place nestled deep in the snowy forest, surrounded by snow-capped trees—like something out of a Disney movie. However, that was not the case. It is actually located behind the Valcartier Hotel, a standard beige hotel that, from the parking lot, doesn’t appear to hide a unique artisan-built hotel. After a short walk through the Valcartier Hotel lobby, I showed my ticket to the attendant, walked out the back doors, and found myself immediately in front of the Hôtel de Glace.
I was surprised by how close the two hotels were to each other. The entrance to the Ice Hotel is just a short walk from the back of the Valcartier Hotel. Every year, the entrance to the Ice Hotel looks the same—an arched doorway with large wooden doors on either side. The sheer scale of it is breathtaking. It wasn’t only impressive that it was built entirely of ice and snow; the attention to detail and design was the most remarkable. It’s not just a hotel; it’s a work of art.
Inside the Ice Hotel
As I stepped into the lobby, I was welcomed by life-size statues carved from the clearest ice. Colorful lights from below illuminated the sculptures, giving them a lifelike quality. The temperature inside was surprisingly mild, around 23°F to 25°F, providing a pleasant contrast to the frigid outdoor air. Incredible ice sculptures adorned the space, from a life-sized boat to majestic animals seamlessly integrated into the lobby walls. The level of detail was astonishing. Artists were still putting the finishing touches on parts of the lobby, as the temperatures didn’t drop below freezing until later in winter. With chainsaws, picks, and a lot of creativity, I had the chance to observe the artists as they crafted the sculptures and carved intricate designs into the walls of the building. While seeing the finished product of the Ice Hotel was impressive, witnessing the creation process unfolding before my eyes was even more remarkable.
Ice Hotel Rooms
During the day, visitors can peek into the rooms at the Ice Hotel. Each room features a unique design with various details. At night, guests can sleep in these rooms. According to their website, the accommodations are surprisingly warm and comfortable, thanks to special sleeping bags and furs. I’ll have to take their word for it. Standing in the rooms with multiple layers of clothing, I couldn’t imagine being warm in my pajamas in this setting.
Things to know if you’re thinking about booking a room at the Hôtel de Glace:
- The hotel is open from January to March each year.
- The most basic room can cost $300-$500 a night. Prices vary depending on the room type and the time of year.
- By booking an ice hotel room, you also get a regular hotel room in the Valcartier Hotel, where you shower and leave your suitcases. If the ice hotel room becomes too much in the middle of the night, guest can return to their standard hotel room.
- Guests are provided with sleeping bags and other necessary amenities to keep them warm and comfortable.
- Amenities for guests to enjoy include outdoor hot tubs and saunas where you can relax under the stars during your stay.
- There aren’t any doors to the entrance of your ice hotel room. Imagine a typical hotel hallway, but the rooms are missing the doors. That’s the setup of these rooms. The rooms connect to a hallway that leads outside.
- Your ice hotel room does not have a bathroom. You’ll have to use the bathroom in the Valcartier Hotel lobby or your regular room.
- There aren’t any outlets. No charging your phone in the middle of the night.
Ice Hotel Chapel
If I were staying the night, I would pray fervently to avoid freezing to death. Therefore, having a chapel within the hotel feels quite fitting. On a more serious note, I was genuinely impressed by the chapel, which features a serene space adorned with intricate ice carvings. If you’re looking for a unique venue to say “I do,” this is truly a one-of-a-kind spot. Not only will you stand on an icy stage and exchange vows while chattering your teeth, but your guests will also be seated on ice benches to witness the occasion. Weddings can be challenging even in ideal temperatures, and this takes the challenge to a whole new level.
Ice Hotel Bar
What’s a hotel without a bar? The Ice Hotel has a bar where visitors can enjoy cocktails served in a glass of ice. It was a novelty experience and a perfect way to embrace the icy theme. There are plenty of icy benches to sit and sip on your drink while admiring the details of the room.
My visit to the Hôtel de Glace was a truly magical experience. The creativity and ingenuity make it a must-see for anyone visiting Québec City in the winter. Booking through Get Your Guide made the experience seamless and stress-free, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the wonder of this icy wonderland.
Tips for visiting the Hôtel de Glace:
- Dress warmly: Layers are key! Even though the temperature inside is warmer than outside, you’ll still want to be comfortable.
- Book in advance: The Hôtel de Glace is a popular attraction, so booking your tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially if you’re visiting during peak season. Using Get Your Guide made this super easy!
- Keep an eye on the time: The hour limit my tour guide gave me was plenty of time to see everything. Don’t get distracted when exploring everything, and miss your return time. Set an alarm to return to the bus.
Have you been to the Hôtel de Glace? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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The information in this article was accurate when published but can change without notice. Please confirm rates and details when planning your trip by following the links in this article. If you find out-of-date or inaccurate information, I’d love to hear about it to update the article. Use the comments section below. Thanks!
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