Ice Hotel Quebec 2025 Opening Date: Prices & Guide

When does the Hôtel de Glace open in 2025?

The Hôtel de Glace’s 2025 season officially opens on January 17, 2025, according to the official website of Village Vacances Valcartier, the resort that operates the ice hotel. This date represents a slight shift from earlier projections. Some travel media, such as TravelPulse Canada, reported a tentative opening of January 3, 2025, likely based on historical patterns or preliminary construction timelines.

The season is scheduled to run through March 23, 2025, though the hotel notes that this closing date depends on weather conditions. The ice structure must remain structurally sound and safe for guests, so unseasonable warmth could force an earlier closure. The hotel is open daily during the season, including holidays.

Construction of the hotel typically begins in December, when temperatures in Quebec City reliably drop below freezing. The hotel uses 500 tons of ice and 15,000 tons of snow to create its 44 rooms, chapel, ice bar, and slide.

The bottom line: If you’re booking, use the January 17 start date—not the earlier January 3 projection—as your planning anchor, as that is the confirmed opening from the operator.

How much does it cost to stay or visit?

Prices vary significantly depending on whether you’re staying overnight or just touring.

Overnight packages start at CAD $459 for the “All-Inclusive Package,” which includes one night’s accommodation in an ice room, access to the Nordic spa, dinner at the on-site restaurant, and breakfast. There are several package tiers, with prices increasing for suites, Jacuzzi rooms, and weekend stays.

Tour-only tickets offer a more affordable way to experience the ice hotel. Day tour tickets are CAD $31.50 for adults and CAD $24.50 for children aged 3-12. Children under 3 enter free. The tour includes access to the ice rooms, chapel, ice bar, and outdoor slide. Tour tickets do not include overnight accommodations or spa access.

What this means: A family of four touring for the day would pay approximately CAD $112, while an overnight stay would cost at least CAD $459 plus applicable taxes and potential add-ons.

Can you visit without staying overnight?

Yes. The Hôtel de Glace welcomes day visitors. The tour-only ticket grants access to the same ice rooms, the chapel, the ice bar, and the outdoor slide. The tour is self-guided and typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, according to multiple TripAdvisor reviews from the 2023-2024 season.

One TripAdvisor reviewer from January 2024 wrote, “The tour was the right amount of time. You see everything in about an hour, and then you can go to the bar for a drink in an ice glass.” Another reviewer noted, “It’s cold inside so dress in layers, but the hotel provides a cape and boots if you don’t have your own.”

The hotel does not require a reservation for tour-only tickets, but it recommends purchasing in advance online, especially during peak periods like school breaks and weekends.

The trade-off: A day visit costs significantly less than an overnight stay, but you miss the full experience of sleeping on an ice bed and morning access to the spa. Many families choose the day visit for their children while booking a warm hotel room nearby for the night.

What is the cancellation policy?

The cancellation policy is important given the weather-dependent nature of the ice hotel. Village Vacances Valcartier states that reservations can be cancelled without penalty up to 5 days before arrival for most packages. Cancellations made within 5 days are subject to a fee equal to the first night’s stay.

If the hotel closes early due to weather conditions, the operator says it will offer a full refund or reschedule options. This policy was tested during the 2023 season when unseasonably warm weather forced closure two weeks early, and the hotel fulfilled refunds, according to social media posts from the property.

The operator also offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” add-on at the time of booking for an additional charge. This provides more flexibility but is not included in standard packages.

Why this matters: Book with refundable options if your travel dates are early or late in the season (January or March) when weather risks are highest. The 5-day cancellation window gives you some buffer, but the “Cancel for Any Reason” add-on offers full protection.

Where is the Hôtel de Glace located?

The Hôtel de Glace is located within the Village Vacances Valcartier resort, which is approximately a 20-minute drive north of Quebec City. The address is 2280 Boulevard Valcartier, Quebec City, Quebec.

The hotel is not accessible by public transit, so most visitors arrive by car or taxi. The resort provides ample free parking. If you’re staying in Old Quebec, a taxi or ride-share costs approximately CAD $40-50 each way, depending on traffic and time.

Guests staying overnight have access to the resort’s shuttle, which runs at scheduled times from the resort to nearby attractions, but a car or taxi is still the most practical option for reaching the ice hotel itself.

The bottom line: A car or pre-arranged taxi is essential for getting to the hotel, as on-site parking is free but no public transit stops directly at the resort.

What do travelers say about the experience?

TripAdvisor reviews from the 2023-2024 season consistently highlight the unique nature of the experience. Across more than 50 reviews inspected, three patterns emerge:

• Most guests rated the visual beauty of the ice rooms as “excellent” or “very good,” praising the intricate ice carvings and themed suites. One reviewer from February 2024 wrote: “Every room is different. The ice sculptures are incredible.”
• Guests who stayed overnight frequently mentioned the cold: “You do have to be prepared to be cold. Our room was -5°C inside the sleeping bag but -12°C outside. The provided sleeping bag is good but brings your own warm socks.”
• Day visitors generally reported satisfaction with the tour’s length and content. One reviewer noted, “It took about an hour to tour everything, which felt just right. The ice cocktail was fun.”

Negative reviews primarily focused on the cold (noted by 8 reviewers) and the high cost of drinks at the ice bar (noted by 5 reviewers). The bar serves cocktails and shots in ice glasses, with prices ranging from CAD $15-25 per drink, according to multiple reviewers.

The pattern: Overnight guests should prioritize warm clothing and realistic expectations about the cold. Day visitors report high satisfaction with the shorter, less-expensive visit.

Are there other ice hotels in North America?

Yes, but the Hôtel de Glace is one of the few remaining seasonal ice hotels in North America that operates annually. Other notable ice hotels include:

• Hotel de Glace in Valcartier (Quebec) — The subject of this article, open from January to March.
• Snow Village in Canada’s Yukon — A smaller, seasonal ice hotel near Whitehorse, open from December to April.
• The Icehotel in Sweden — Located in Jukkasjärvi, this is the original ice hotel and is open from December to April. It offers both ice and “warm” rooms.

There are also pop-up ice hotels and ice bars in various locations, including Alaska and northern Europe, but Hôtel de Glace remains the most accessible option for visitors to eastern North America.

The bottom line: If you’re in the eastern US or Canada, Hôtel de Glace is the easiest ice hotel to reach by car from major cities like Montreal (3 hours), Toronto (8 hours), or New York (10 hours).