Although Jukkasjårvi is in northern Sweden it is unusually warm, currently around 32° F. Normally at this time of year it should be -18 to -25 C (0 to -25 F) in December the temperature can drop as low as -35 to -40 C. Though work continues on the ICEHOTEL it has been slowed by the warm weather and new construction on the unfinished wings has halted until the temperature can drop below -6 to -8 degrees C. The snow is shot onto huge steel forms to create the vaulted ceilings but the temperature is too high, the snow will take on too much water, become too heavy, thus making the structure unsound. Until the polar frost returns, expanding the footprint of the hotel is impossible. 

OUR TEAMS ICE SUITE’S BUILDING SHELL IS DONE

The rough structure housing Studio-RMA’s suite is done. Yesterday the walls on either end of their suite were placed. The designers can now start their work. Some of the larger ice-blocks will need to be carved outside. Once carved they will be delivered on sleds to the suite. The crates of smaller ice-blocks, required to build the interior design structures, are ready to go inside the suite.

NEXT DAYS TASKS

Jennifer and Robert, will now start to lay out the designs inside the space. The free standing double helix (or  keyhole) viewing walls will be created out of 9”x9”x40” strips of ice, each strip slightly shifted from the last creating a vertical curve. These 12’ high helix shapes must be perfectly balanced and level to avoid collapse.

THANKSGIVING

Our Swedish friends, did not forget Thanksgiving, Alas No Turkey! Unfortunately a stuffed bird is about as close as we will get to turkey this year. For the rest of the thanksgiving feast we have to substitute lingonberries for cranberries, reindeer filet for turkey, potatoes for stuffing and… well… potatoes again for yams. Well there’s always next year. For now we must go find a twig to substitute for a wish bone. Happy Thanksgiving! Until our next update eat lots of turkey. Just remember when you enjoy your cold leftover turkey sandwich to think cold thoughts for the Studio-RMA team.

CBS TO BROADCAST LIVE UPDATE FROM LAPLAND

Tune into Jim and Vicki at 3PM Tuesday and Thursday