Imagine a world where everything is made out of ice... From your house, to the bed you sleep on, the bathroom you use and the table you sit at to eat dinner and drink a few beverages. Couple that vision with stunning ice carvings that are filled with immense intricate detail, larger than life sculptures that will blow your mind and the transcending colors of the Northern Lights shining perfectly upon the gleaming ice - and you have the astonishing ice museum in Alaska that is (literally) too cool for words.
The Aurora Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs Resort in Fairbanks the largest year-round ice environment in the entire world. In this museum you will find that just about everything you see and touch is made purely of ice! The remarkable displays are lit up with beautiful green, pink and blue colors that greatly mimic those of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights).
Completed at the beginning of 2005, this astounding museum was made from 1,000 tons of ice and snow all harvested at the resort. It is unbelievable to know that this resort is actually open all year long. In the winter months one might expect to find this in Fairbanks because temperatures are often times well below the freezing mark which would make it easy to keep this ice sanctuary completely frozen. Luckily for summer visitors, you can even visit this unique place in the dead of summer... and it will still be frozen and sparkling with beauty!
A local couple do the majority of all the ice carving at this incredible place. Both carvers are world champion ice carvers with some of the most incredible visions on the planet. Their carving room is truly a sight to behold. All of the different tools and utensils needed to make sure intricate carvings are completed is absolutely remarkable.
If you've always wanted to see and experience what it would be like inside an igloo in Alaska, well now is your chance!
And if you're feeling like the ultimate Alaskan experience, you can even stay the night inside an "igloo" on a bed made of 100% ice. Brrr!
At temperatures around 20 degrees, you will definitely need that caribou hide on top of the bed to keep you warm. This is the epitome of an "Only in Alaska" experience.
If you do end up taking the ultimate Alaska challenge and staying the night, you will eventually have to revert to the outhouse to use the bathroom. But don't forget your parka because, you guessed it... it's made of ice too! Extra brrrr!
The "Great Wall of Chena" is one of the most incredible displays of ice carving in all of Alaska. Upon entering the museum for a tour, guests are lucky enough to be given a super warm parka to wear so that exploring these massive sights up-close-and-personal is pleasantly enjoyable.
One of the most raved about parts of this museum is the ice bar. Beautiful, isn't it?
Well luckily for visitors, it isn't just for looks. Guests can sit down and enjoy a delicious beverage at the Stoli Ice Bar where everything is made of 100% ice. Even the bar stools (thankfully for your booty, a caribou hide tops the bar stool keeping your tushy from freezing off).
Sip on an Apple Martini from a hand-carved glass made out of 100% ice. But be sure not to forget your gloves or your poor fingers might not survive.
Have you ever been to this amazingly unique place in Alaska? If not, be sure to add it to your bucket list!
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