One suddenly starts to feel how heavy these blocks of ice actually are, as our muscles are getting sore! Both Jennifer and I are starting to get a little worn out. Sure the heavy equipment is here, yet it is the constant fine-tuning of the design that simply can only be done with hand precision.

This Friday the ICEHOTEL opens, the suites need to be finished by Thursday 4 pm, for cleaning and of course for the household staff to make the ice-beds. We will be sleeping in our Ice Suite that night!  Friday night our room is booked and we will be flying back home.

The ICEHOTEL is now fully staffed, close to 250 people will be working here over the season. Last Friday we had the Kick-Off party at the theater in Kiruna, where a temporary Absolut Vodka ICEBAR was set up outside in front of the theater, followed by great meal – yes inside – a large dining room on the stage followed by partying and lot’s to drink, I must say the Swedes and Laplanders know how to put down a few drinks.

For the Designers and Workers the days have been Non Stop. The warm weather delay is now putting lot’s of pressure on getting all done. The temperatures are excellent -10F so what ever ice-composition one puts together freezes in minutes – what a delight! The lighting in our design is partially installed, so we can study the light effects and adjust these to highlight the Ice. The light is what will make the Ice come to life.

It will be busy the last days! I am sure we will also miss this “Wonder Winterland” and the hospitable Laplanders! But I must say only 1.5 hr. daylight gets a little sad after a while. We are looking forwards to some California Sunshine!

CBS TO BROADCAST LIVE UPDATE FROM LAPLAND

Tune into Jim and Vicki at 3PM Tuesday and Thursday