Photos of Ice Museum

First built in 2003, the Ice Hotel melted in the summer of 2004.

It was rebuilt in the fall of 2004 with a refrigeration system in the walls to keep it 20 degrees inside year round. It became the Aurora Ice Museum.

The ice is harvested from the nearby rivers and lakes. Notice the design made by Mother Nature (taken with flash).

(taken w/o flash)

Samurai sculpture

Pillars of ice with carved and colored designs in the globes at the top (more detailed photos later). 

The crystal chandeliers made of ice have 3 fiber-optic strands to provide light without heat that would melt the ice.

Life-size knights jousting (taken w/o flash)

Bernie Carl points out the intricate carving of the lances (taken with flash).

The Aurora Ice Bar with barstools made of ice has its seats covered with faux fur.

There is a chapel for weddings. Bernie stands at the pulpit.

Detail of a carving (taken without flash)

(taken with flash)

One of the beds in what was originally the hotel. State regulations do not permit use as a hotel any more.

Here's the headboard—you literally are sleeping in the belly of the bear.

Doorway to one of the “hotel” rooms.

More sculpture done by resident carvers Steve and Heather Brice.

The real outhouse.

Another bed (taken with flash).

 Same bed (taken without flash).

Beautiful carved rose.

 From peoples’ breathe hoarfrost has coated some of the ice inside the museum.

Bernie heads for another room.

The hallway inside the Ice Museum with 4 rooms to left and right. Note chandeliers.

The Christmas room (taken without flash).

Same tree (taken with flash).

The music room even has a working xylophone made of ice.

Carl comes out of one of the rooms.

This Coca-Cola bear will soon lose his bottle of Coke due to licensing fees.

Bernie Carl mixes one of his famous Appletinis at the Aurora Ice Bar.

The dishes are made of ice—the serving plates AND the martini glasses.

Bernie explains that the bowl of the martini glass is made of snow-cone manufactured ice and the stem of lake ice to meet food safety standards.

What a fun way to sip a martini!

Use of clear and shadowy ice.

The ice carvers’ tools were mostly hand made.

The carvers start with blocks of ice like this.