Have you ever thought about staying in an ice hotel? Ice hotels have been

around for less than thirty years, yet they are very popular tourist destinations.

With their great beauty and all they have to offer, one can’t help but view these icy

buildings as symbols. They are symbols of what modern travelers like.

The world’s first ice hotel opened to guests in Sweden in the early 1990s.

Since then, more ice hotels opened in Canada, Romania, Finland, and Norway.

Actually, the first ice houses were igloos, built by local people in the Arctic region.

Ice hotels today are simply grander, with more detailed designs.

At the start of the cold winter season, people arrive on location to help build

the ice hotel. Many artists join the ice hotel building teams each winter. The hotel

in Sweden, for example, is built by over 100 artists. Some of the rooms are handcarved with detailed ice sculptures, tables, and doors. Those are the most expensive

rooms, but the entire hotel is beautiful. Archways and hallways are lit up with

colorful fluorescent light creating a dreamy effect. Even the outside of the hotel

looks icy and magical.

Technology plays a role in making the hotel look modern and last longer.

The artists use tons of ice and another material called “snice”. Snice gets its name

from “snow” and “ice” because the way it freezes gives it characteristics that are in

between snow and ice. It prevents the inside of the hotel from melting quickly.

Ice hotels can differ in the number of guest rooms they offer; some hotels

might have 40 rooms, whereas others may have over 60. Although the hotels can

be different, there are some basics that many ice hotels have. The beds are

typically made of a large solid block of ice with a mattress placed on top. The hotel

usually provides warm blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows to serve as a barrier

between the cold ice and the sleeper’s body. Sometimes furs and animal skins are

also provided for extra warmth. The rooms can get very cold (negative

temperatures), so it is recommended that guests wear several layers of clothing. Ice

hotels have banquet halls for large events such as weddings. In a lot of ways, ice

hotels function similarly to other hotels.

The ice hotel in Sweden attracts about 50,000 to 60,000 visitors every year.

Many people plan weddings at ice hotels. The hotels offer activities that guests can

enjoy in addition to the rooms. Visitors can go on hikes, go rafting, as well as take

ice sculpting and other classes. The ice hotel itself lasts for only four months. But

its guests come from all over the world in that short period of time. The ice hotel in

Sweden accepts guests and offers activities all year round, but it’s only during

winter that the ice building is available to sleep in.

Ice hotels can be found on different continents.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ:

Artists who help to build ice hotels do it for free as volunteers.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ:

Snice makes the ice building stronger.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ:

Mattresses, blankets and pillows in ice hotels are all made of snow.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ:

Even though made of ice, ice hotels always keep the temperature in rooms above

zero.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ:

Ice hotels are popular places for big family celebrations.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ:

Visitors to ice hotels can learn to do something new while staying there.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated