Whether it is located inside a tree or under the sea, let’s face it, there are some pretty interesting places around the world where one can kick back and have a drink. Some of the coolest places to warm up with a cold one this winter are in the bars of these 10 amazing ice hotels.

Igloo Village – Saariselka, Finland

After partying it up at Igloo Village’s ice bar, the Hotel Kakslauttanen features a different take on the traditional ice hotel by offering a variety of igloos to sleep it off in. Whether you choose the thermal glass igloo, or the more hardcore snow igloo, you’ll be sure to awake feeling refreshed. And if the previous night’s cocktails are still making you feel a little slow and sluggish you can always sweat it out in the morning with a sauna.

Snow Village – Kittila, Finland

Sister to Igloo Village is Finland’s Snow Village. Where the former gives you the option of rooms from man-made materials, Snow Village is completely made out of ice and snow, and lots of it! Covering an area of approximately 220,000 square feet, Snow Village is made up of 1650 tons of snow and 330 tons of ice. But don’t worry if the thought of all that snow and ice is making you cold, you can always warm up with a few cold ones in the famous Snow Village Ice Bar.

Icehotel – Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Billed as the largest ice hotel in the world, Sweden’s Icehotel is comprised of over 30,000 tons of snow and ice. Boasting 60 rooms and an amazing ice bar it is no wonder that the small village of Jukkasjärvi sees some 50,000 guests each winter.

Bjorli Ice Lodge – Bjorli, Norway

The Bjorli Ice Lodge is the largest ice hotel in Norway. Built each year within the Dovre-Sundalsfjella National Park, each room is uniquely created by local artists. If the cold rooms aren’t really your thing, they also offer a number of warm rooms for the more timid guests. Either way, stopping by the ice bar for a few nightcaps is highly recommended.

Kirkenes Snowhotel – Kirkenes, Norway

Situated not too far from the Russian border in Norway’s sub-Arctic north is the Kirkness Snowhotel. The hotel has been in operation since 2006 and consists of 20 differently themed rooms. The ice bar alone takes up to 15 tons of ice to create each year.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – Alta, Norway

Norway’s third most popular ice hotel, and the world’s northernmost one, boasts 30 rooms, an ice chapel, and an incredible ice bar complete with a full set of ice glasses. This 2000 square meter ice hotel has been built each and every year since it first opened in 2000.

Ice Hotel – Balea Lake, Romania

One of the world’s most remote ice hotels is situated high in the mountainous region of Romania. Although it is only accessible by cable car and can only accommodate a small amount of guests, since only 10 to 14 rooms are constructed each winter, Romania’s ice hotel, and especially the ice bar, is by far one of the coolest places to have a drink.

Engelberg-Titlis Igloo Village – Engelberg, Switzerland

At an altitude of 5,900 feet, Switzerland’s Igloo Village provides some of the most spectacular view of the Swiss Alps. Some of the igloos even come complete with your very own private whirlpool, which is a great way to relax before bed after spending the evening pounding back a few in the ice bar.

Hôtel de Glace – Quebec City, Canada

Hôtel de Glace was first built in 2001 on the shores of Lac-Saint-Joseph and has since been relocated to just outside Quebec City’s Old Town. With no permanent structures of any kind, Hôtel de Glace is entirely made out of snow and ice – 15,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice to be exact. So if you plan your visit too late in the season, remember you’ll have to drink fast, because once they ice melts that bar (and glassware) will be no more.

Snow Village – Montreal, Canada

Just a few hours west of Quebec City is Montreal’s very own take on the ice hotel called Snow Village, which is a snow and ice replica of the very city it is built in, Montreal.
If you know anything about Montreal, they have some pretty good bars, and Snow Village’s ice bar is no exception. The official opening for this year’s Snow Village is planned for January 18th 2013.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.