Crafting Snow and Ice

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snow, ice, crafting, sculptureWow oh Wow what I found yesterday during my travels about the internet.  If it exists, it is there for crafting into different and unusual forms of beauty.  This is exactly what these folks did at the Quebec Ice Hotel in Canada.  You won’t believe your eyes.snow, ice, crafting

I would like to thank Justin and Laren for bring this fantastical place to my attention.  They have actually visited and spent a night in the Ice Hotel!   Just had to share it with everyone as it is so exquisitely crafted!

This so reminded me of my childhood.  Originally from Amherst, Massachusetts, I grew up in a small (at that time) college town home to University of Massachusetts and Amherst College.  Every year a Winter Festival was held during which all the fraternities would build snow sculptures.  I believe it was around February) as that is the best month for lots of snow as well as after the winter holiday break.  As a family, we went out and walked to all the fraternities to see what they had made. snow sculpture, crafting These were no mere snowmen but rather detailed maybe 8+ foot high sculptures of people, animals, castles, you name it they probably sculpted it one year or other.  It was a magical fantasy world to walk through.  Oh how I miss those days.  snow, ice, sculpture, crafting

Now, back to the Quebec Ice Hotel. This building is all made of ice from the walls to the furniture to the glasses used at the bar.  Do keep in mind this is a functional hotel and built  to human scale.  Everything is larger than life fully useable for people. snow, ice, crafting

An ice  chandelier hangs grandly from cathedral ceilings.  Colored lights filtrate through ice  giving a mystical  appearance to the already enigmatic atmosphere of clear see-through ice.  One sits on ice chairs at ice tables with ice beds awaiting for your nights slumber.   One is not directly upon the ice for sleeping There is a mattress on each bed creating a barrier between you and the cold.  Importantly, there are fireplaces through the building which absolutely mesmerizes me.

How can they have a fireplace in the middle of an ice room!  I do not know how this works but it does.

snow, ice, craftingSeems it would turn it into a melting slush but it does not. Jacuzzi/spas dot the grounds for relaxation and warmth.  If all else fails, the main hotel is across the way and you can return to your ‘normal’ room to warm up and rest.

Any bride would be enchanted with a winter wonderland wedding.  The Ice Chapel would bring it altogether in its fantastical fairytale world.   Guests will be awed at the beauty all around.  snow, ice, craftingA dream come true.

Have to say that being so cold and with such long nights, it is an amazing and well needed lift to come across such talented craftsmen that can turn things into incredible beauty to lift our spirits.

Let it be known that one does not have to spend the entire day and night there.  Visiting hours begin at 9 a.m. for others to tour and experience the magnificence.

Now my mind is on a roll.  I recall sand sculpture events on the beaches.  Do not recall the which beach.  Hmmm, guess I’ll have to look that up.  In the meantime, be creative with whatever media you have available at this time. Your imagination has no boundaries.

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little coarse and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice? Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never be afraid to be yourself.  Let the world see your creativity.  Keep on creating everyday!