1 00:00:00,930 --> 00:00:03,960 ♪ 2 00:00:03,970 --> 00:00:07,370 Narrator: Deep inside the arctic circle... 3 00:00:07,370 --> 00:00:09,200 Yeah. No, no, no. 4 00:00:09,210 --> 00:00:11,710 ...This team of elite engineers 5 00:00:11,710 --> 00:00:14,810 Is embarking on an epic endeavor. 6 00:00:14,810 --> 00:00:16,540 Yeah, it's a challenge. 7 00:00:16,550 --> 00:00:18,010 Let's go. 8 00:00:18,010 --> 00:00:21,380 Narrator: They're attempting to build a unique structure -- 9 00:00:21,380 --> 00:00:25,650 One of the largest snow and ice hotels in the world. 10 00:00:25,650 --> 00:00:27,420 Tjasa: We work so hard. 11 00:00:27,420 --> 00:00:29,320 My arms are aching. 12 00:00:29,330 --> 00:00:33,090 There's no instruction manual for how to build an ice hotel. 13 00:00:33,100 --> 00:00:34,730 Ooh! Aha! 14 00:00:34,730 --> 00:00:37,600 Narrator: Constructed from more than 15,000 tons 15 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:40,030 Of snow and ice, 16 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:44,070 Spanning over 26,000 square feet, 17 00:00:44,070 --> 00:00:46,970 They are pushing to complete this ambitious build 18 00:00:46,980 --> 00:00:49,640 In an unheard-of six weeks. 19 00:00:49,650 --> 00:00:51,580 Roncoroni: The rooms are booked. 20 00:00:51,580 --> 00:00:53,150 No matter when we start, 21 00:00:53,150 --> 00:00:56,420 We know that we have to be done by that day. 22 00:00:56,420 --> 00:00:58,620 Narrator: To construct this colossus, 23 00:00:58,620 --> 00:01:01,790 The team must battle extreme cold... 24 00:01:01,790 --> 00:01:04,490 The temperature now is 20 below. 25 00:01:04,490 --> 00:01:06,030 Narrator: ...Failing equipment... 26 00:01:06,030 --> 00:01:07,800 Something is broken. 27 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:09,100 (indistinct conversation) 28 00:01:09,100 --> 00:01:11,700 Narrator: ...And long, dark nights. 29 00:01:11,700 --> 00:01:13,130 Oh. 30 00:01:13,140 --> 00:01:14,770 There's a hole in the roof. 31 00:01:14,770 --> 00:01:17,540 ♪ 32 00:01:17,540 --> 00:01:19,870 This remarkable structure ranks 33 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:23,610 In a league of ambitious new engineering wonders 34 00:01:23,610 --> 00:01:26,980 That are bigger, faster, taller, 35 00:01:26,980 --> 00:01:31,320 And more advanced than anything ever constructed before. 36 00:01:31,320 --> 00:01:35,760 This is the inside story of the extraordinary challenge 37 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:37,930 Of building these giants. 38 00:01:37,930 --> 00:01:40,930 -- Captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com 39 00:01:40,930 --> 00:01:43,960 Captions paid for by discovery communications 40 00:01:47,270 --> 00:01:51,370 ♪ 41 00:01:51,370 --> 00:01:57,580 Northern sweden -- 120 miles inside the arctic circle. 42 00:01:57,580 --> 00:02:00,980 ♪ 43 00:02:00,980 --> 00:02:04,420 Here, on the banks of the mighty torne river, 44 00:02:04,420 --> 00:02:09,860 Lies the small, snowy outpost of jukkasjarvi. 45 00:02:09,860 --> 00:02:11,230 During the winter, 46 00:02:11,230 --> 00:02:14,900 Temperatures plummet to minus-20 degrees fahrenheit. 47 00:02:14,900 --> 00:02:18,930 ♪ 48 00:02:18,930 --> 00:02:21,100 Despite the extreme conditions, 49 00:02:21,100 --> 00:02:23,440 A team of engineers is assembling here 50 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:27,840 To build an extraordinary megastructure -- 51 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:31,910 A remarkable hotel made entirely from ice 52 00:02:31,910 --> 00:02:34,920 That will enable travelers from across the world 53 00:02:34,920 --> 00:02:38,950 To experience the harsh beauty of the arctic winter. 54 00:02:38,950 --> 00:02:42,960 You can get a bit obsessed by the ice. 55 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:45,830 Narrator: Creative director arne bergh wants a night here 56 00:02:45,830 --> 00:02:48,760 To be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 57 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:50,930 ♪ 58 00:02:50,930 --> 00:02:55,270 The special things we have here with the nature of the ice 59 00:02:55,270 --> 00:02:56,900 And the snow -- that's what I like. 60 00:02:56,910 --> 00:02:59,610 The light and the darkness and the northern lights. 61 00:02:59,610 --> 00:03:03,380 ♪ 62 00:03:03,380 --> 00:03:05,780 Narrator: Arne and his team plan to design 63 00:03:05,780 --> 00:03:10,750 And build a brand-new luxury winter retreat like no other. 64 00:03:10,750 --> 00:03:13,390 Bergh: This is a hotel, but it's much more. 65 00:03:13,390 --> 00:03:15,490 All your senses are involved. 66 00:03:15,490 --> 00:03:19,090 When you enter the building, it's the smell of winter. 67 00:03:19,090 --> 00:03:20,990 It's an experience hotel. 68 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:22,930 You go there for the adventure. 69 00:03:22,930 --> 00:03:24,800 ♪ 70 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:26,430 Narrator: The idea for the ice hotel 71 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:30,040 Was conceived accidentally back in 1990, 72 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:32,170 When an exhibition inside an igloo 73 00:03:32,170 --> 00:03:36,680 Attracted a surprisingly large crowd to jukkasjarvi. 74 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,650 Bergh: One night, there was people who had nowhere to sleep, 75 00:03:39,650 --> 00:03:42,850 So we fixed them sleeping bags and animal skins on the floor 76 00:03:42,850 --> 00:03:43,980 And they slept there. 77 00:03:43,990 --> 00:03:45,750 And one guy was coming out in the morning, 78 00:03:45,750 --> 00:03:46,920 He had slept great, 79 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,190 And said this was like sleeping in a hotel, 80 00:03:49,190 --> 00:03:52,730 And that's how the idea was born. 81 00:03:52,730 --> 00:03:55,700 Narrator: This year, arne aims to construct the boldest 82 00:03:55,700 --> 00:04:00,100 And most ambitious ice hotel ever conceived. 83 00:04:00,100 --> 00:04:03,940 I want to say this year, this is the best ice hotel ever 84 00:04:03,940 --> 00:04:07,170 Because I know that's the challenge and the inspiration. 85 00:04:07,180 --> 00:04:09,880 ♪ 86 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:12,110 Narrator: This is the icy giant 87 00:04:12,110 --> 00:04:16,120 Arne and his team must somehow build. 88 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:20,920 20 interlocking arches of snow and ice up to 16 feet high 89 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:23,920 Make up the hotel's walls and roof. 90 00:04:23,930 --> 00:04:27,090 ♪ 91 00:04:27,100 --> 00:04:31,600 Inside, an intricately carved reception hall 92 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:34,900 Supported by columns of solid ice 93 00:04:34,900 --> 00:04:40,610 And elegantly lit by three 175-pound ice chandeliers. 94 00:04:40,610 --> 00:04:43,140 ♪ 95 00:04:43,150 --> 00:04:46,810 At the far end, a fully functional chapel 96 00:04:46,820 --> 00:04:49,120 All set for winter weddings. 97 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:51,290 ♪ 98 00:04:51,290 --> 00:04:53,990 Five smaller corridors lead 99 00:04:53,990 --> 00:04:58,230 To 35 individually designed guest suites, 100 00:04:58,230 --> 00:05:02,700 Each with its very own ice-block bed. 101 00:05:02,700 --> 00:05:07,900 In total, the team will use over 15,000 tons of snow and ice 102 00:05:07,900 --> 00:05:12,110 To build this masterpiece of ice engineering. 103 00:05:13,210 --> 00:05:15,780 ♪ 104 00:05:15,780 --> 00:05:17,610 Constructing this giant in the depths 105 00:05:17,610 --> 00:05:21,110 Of a brutal arctic winter won't be easy. 106 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:23,820 ♪ 107 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:34,660 Building the ice hotel 108 00:05:34,660 --> 00:05:39,600 Involves a series of unique engineering challenges. 109 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:44,470 First, arne's team must extract hundreds of blocks of river ice, 110 00:05:44,470 --> 00:05:48,280 Each weighing two tons, and store them in 111 00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:50,440 A temperature-controlled warehouse. 112 00:05:50,450 --> 00:05:52,480 ♪ 113 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:55,680 Next, they'll pump river water through snow cannons 114 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,720 To create over 700,000 cubic feet 115 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:03,960 Of a dense artificial snow called snice. 116 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:08,260 Workers then blast this snice onto special steel molds 117 00:06:08,260 --> 00:06:10,730 To form the hotel's walls and roof. 118 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,040 They reinforce the largest arches with columns 119 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:20,440 And walls of the pure river ice. 120 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:22,780 Once the main structure is in place, 121 00:06:22,780 --> 00:06:28,320 Workers use more ice to hand-carve each individual suite 122 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:31,050 And install custom-made lighting 123 00:06:31,050 --> 00:06:34,590 To make this palace of ice truly shine. 124 00:06:34,590 --> 00:06:39,590 ♪ 125 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:43,530 It's never too early to get ready for the big winter build, 126 00:06:43,530 --> 00:06:46,970 With preparations starting in March. 127 00:06:46,970 --> 00:06:49,940 Enmalm: The project starts now in the spring, 128 00:06:49,940 --> 00:06:53,240 'cause that's when the ice at the thickest it can be. 129 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:54,240 ♪ 130 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:56,140 Narrator: After a long winter, 131 00:06:56,150 --> 00:06:58,210 The ice on the nearby torne river 132 00:06:58,210 --> 00:07:03,050 Is now over 30 inches thick and perfect for building with. 133 00:07:03,050 --> 00:07:04,550 ♪ 134 00:07:04,550 --> 00:07:06,490 Enmalm: This is where it's the thickest, 135 00:07:06,490 --> 00:07:09,360 So this is where we're going to start. 136 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,560 Narrator: They need to harvest an astonishing 2,000 tons 137 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,900 Of the purest ice blocks for the build. 138 00:07:14,900 --> 00:07:17,630 ♪ 139 00:07:17,630 --> 00:07:22,400 So, how do you hack ice out of a frozen river without falling in? 140 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:26,340 ♪ 141 00:07:26,340 --> 00:07:28,610 This is the plan. 142 00:07:28,610 --> 00:07:32,310 First, they drive a tractor with a specially mounted chainsaw 143 00:07:32,310 --> 00:07:33,950 Out onto the frozen river. 144 00:07:33,950 --> 00:07:35,450 ♪ 145 00:07:35,450 --> 00:07:38,150 (chainsaw revving) 146 00:07:38,150 --> 00:07:42,060 Next, they plunge the chainsaw through the ice, 147 00:07:42,060 --> 00:07:45,890 Cutting a neat grid, freeing the floating ice blocks. 148 00:07:45,890 --> 00:07:48,360 ♪ 149 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:52,370 A second tractor lifts ice from the river block by block, 150 00:07:52,370 --> 00:07:56,370 And two forklifts carry them back to land. 151 00:07:56,370 --> 00:07:58,840 But this operation is risky. 152 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:02,240 If the ice is too thin or they cut too much, 153 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,180 They could all end up in the lethal fast-moving water 154 00:08:05,180 --> 00:08:06,950 Beneath the ice. 155 00:08:06,950 --> 00:08:14,090 ♪ 156 00:08:14,090 --> 00:08:16,790 Henrik spett is one of the team members tasked 157 00:08:16,790 --> 00:08:20,390 With extracting the frozen river blocks. 158 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:21,860 Quiet before the storm. 159 00:08:21,860 --> 00:08:24,100 Yeah. Yeah. 160 00:08:24,100 --> 00:08:29,240 It'll pick up around 2,000 tons, so that's quite a lot of ice. 161 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:31,300 ♪ 162 00:08:31,310 --> 00:08:33,440 Narrator: Ten tons of heavy machinery 163 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,340 Ventures out onto the ice. 164 00:08:35,340 --> 00:08:37,240 ♪ 165 00:08:37,250 --> 00:08:40,650 This is precarious work. 166 00:08:40,650 --> 00:08:42,080 When the tractor drives around, 167 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,820 You can feel sometimes that it breaks the ice a bit. 168 00:08:44,820 --> 00:08:47,020 ♪ 169 00:08:47,020 --> 00:08:49,390 Narrator: The chainsaw's razor-sharp teeth spin 170 00:08:49,390 --> 00:08:51,930 At over 5,000 feet per minute. 171 00:08:51,930 --> 00:08:54,530 ♪ 172 00:08:54,530 --> 00:08:58,130 It slices through the ice like a hot knife through butter. 173 00:08:58,130 --> 00:09:00,870 ♪ 174 00:09:00,870 --> 00:09:03,800 Henrik must gently guide the powerful saw 175 00:09:03,810 --> 00:09:06,270 Without ruining the precious crop. 176 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:10,880 ♪ 177 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:15,520 Now they must fish the slippery two-ton blocks out of the water. 178 00:09:17,890 --> 00:09:21,690 First, they flip out smaller chunks of ice to make a hole. 179 00:09:23,730 --> 00:09:25,360 Then they submerge 180 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,600 This specially designed hook to scoop up the blocks. 181 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:32,800 ♪ 182 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:38,140 One wrong move and the team could be taking an ice bath. 183 00:09:38,140 --> 00:09:40,170 Enmalm: Everyone knows the excite part. 184 00:09:40,180 --> 00:09:41,840 No one does anything else. 185 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:50,550 ♪ 186 00:09:50,550 --> 00:09:52,920 First block -- up. 187 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:54,650 ♪ 188 00:09:54,660 --> 00:09:59,630 Narrator: One block down, 999 to go. 189 00:09:59,630 --> 00:10:02,000 This is a monumental mission. 190 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,600 ♪ 191 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:06,630 Spett: The weathers can change pretty fast, 192 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:10,070 Even though it's still March. 193 00:10:10,070 --> 00:10:12,410 Narrator: Just as they make the next cuts, 194 00:10:12,410 --> 00:10:14,410 Suddenly, air temperatures plunge 195 00:10:14,410 --> 00:10:16,640 To minus-20 degrees fahrenheit. 196 00:10:16,650 --> 00:10:19,150 (indistinct conversation) 197 00:10:19,150 --> 00:10:23,120 In such extreme cold, the fragile ice is vulnerable 198 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:24,990 Once they pull it from the river. 199 00:10:24,990 --> 00:10:26,790 ♪ 200 00:10:26,790 --> 00:10:29,890 It can become unstable. 201 00:10:29,890 --> 00:10:31,860 Bergh: If it's too cold, there is tension. 202 00:10:31,860 --> 00:10:33,330 It's cracking on the surface 203 00:10:33,330 --> 00:10:37,730 Because it's warmer inside the ice than the air outside. 204 00:10:37,730 --> 00:10:39,800 ♪ 205 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:43,200 Narrator: As the ice rises up from the 32-degree water 206 00:10:43,210 --> 00:10:46,640 Into the even colder minus-20-degree air, 207 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:49,610 The sudden change in temperature can cause the ice 208 00:10:49,610 --> 00:10:54,680 To contract so quickly, it could explode. 209 00:10:54,680 --> 00:10:57,780 Enmalm: Just a few seconds, and a temperature change 210 00:10:57,790 --> 00:11:02,260 Between zero degrees and to minus-30, so it's a risk. 211 00:11:02,260 --> 00:11:06,160 Narrator: A risk this brave team can't afford. 212 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:10,560 ♪ 213 00:11:17,170 --> 00:11:26,010 ♪ 214 00:11:26,010 --> 00:11:29,850 Narrator: In northern sweden, workers are attempting 215 00:11:29,850 --> 00:11:33,320 To harvest over 1,000 two-ton blocks of ice 216 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:36,060 From the torne river... 217 00:11:36,060 --> 00:11:40,930 To build one of the world's biggest ice hotels... 218 00:11:40,930 --> 00:11:44,260 But air temperatures of minus-20 degrees fahrenheit 219 00:11:44,270 --> 00:11:47,170 Threaten to cause the ice blocks to explode 220 00:11:47,170 --> 00:11:49,470 As they haul them out of the water. 221 00:11:49,470 --> 00:11:51,500 ♪ 222 00:11:51,510 --> 00:11:52,810 Spett: We have to make sure 223 00:11:52,810 --> 00:11:54,140 That the ice blocks that we take up -- 224 00:11:54,140 --> 00:11:57,740 Everything that we can use so nothing goes to waste. 225 00:11:57,750 --> 00:11:58,710 ♪ 226 00:11:58,710 --> 00:12:00,350 Narrator: They wait several hours 227 00:12:00,350 --> 00:12:02,050 For the temperature to rise. 228 00:12:02,050 --> 00:12:07,590 ♪ 229 00:12:07,590 --> 00:12:12,690 Temperature has risen a bit now from minus-30 to minus-18. 230 00:12:12,690 --> 00:12:14,630 ♪ 231 00:12:14,630 --> 00:12:18,570 Narrator: They race to harvest as many blocks as they can. 232 00:12:18,570 --> 00:12:20,270 Over the next two weeks, 233 00:12:20,270 --> 00:12:24,200 They fill the warehouse with 2,000 tons of ice. 234 00:12:24,210 --> 00:12:27,240 ♪ 235 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:30,240 But now the team must wait eight months 236 00:12:30,250 --> 00:12:32,850 Until the arctic winter begins to bite 237 00:12:32,850 --> 00:12:35,180 To start work on the construction 238 00:12:35,180 --> 00:12:36,820 Of the hotel itself. 239 00:12:36,820 --> 00:12:40,990 ♪ 240 00:12:40,990 --> 00:12:44,290 The brief summer comes and goes. 241 00:12:44,290 --> 00:12:54,000 ♪ 242 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:55,870 It's now November. 243 00:12:55,870 --> 00:12:57,940 ♪ 244 00:12:57,940 --> 00:13:01,340 It's finally cold enough for the team to start work. 245 00:13:01,340 --> 00:13:03,840 ♪ 246 00:13:03,850 --> 00:13:05,910 There are less than five weeks to go 247 00:13:05,910 --> 00:13:11,620 Until the icehotel is scheduled to open on December 14th. 248 00:13:11,620 --> 00:13:16,720 With all the rooms fully booked, arne's team is under pressure. 249 00:13:16,730 --> 00:13:19,490 Oh, I can feel it. It's, like, quite stressful. 250 00:13:19,490 --> 00:13:23,300 ♪ 251 00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:25,570 Narrator: Their first construction challenge 252 00:13:25,570 --> 00:13:29,770 Is to create thousands of tons of a dense snow they call snice 253 00:13:29,770 --> 00:13:32,170 To build the hotel's outer shell. 254 00:13:32,170 --> 00:13:36,880 ♪ 255 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:40,350 To make snice, they manually adjust the pressure 256 00:13:40,350 --> 00:13:43,650 Of four powerful snow cannons to produce a material 257 00:13:43,650 --> 00:13:47,290 Up to six times denser than natural fallen snow. 258 00:13:47,290 --> 00:13:52,830 ♪ 259 00:13:52,830 --> 00:13:57,000 Construction leader jocke enmalm is responsible for building 260 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:58,970 The hotel's outer structure. 261 00:13:58,970 --> 00:14:01,230 ♪ 262 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:03,000 It's perfect. 263 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,140 It's the composition of the snow. 264 00:14:05,140 --> 00:14:07,340 It's a little, little bit thick, 265 00:14:07,340 --> 00:14:10,840 But it's still very dry, and that's what we want. 266 00:14:10,850 --> 00:14:13,510 ♪ 267 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:16,650 Narrator: But just how do they make a rock-solid structure 268 00:14:16,650 --> 00:14:18,480 Out of soft snow? 269 00:14:18,490 --> 00:14:23,790 ♪ 270 00:14:23,790 --> 00:14:26,130 First, the team must carefully position 271 00:14:26,130 --> 00:14:28,390 Custom-made steel molds, 272 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:33,470 Locking them together to create a series of arch tunnels. 273 00:14:33,470 --> 00:14:35,870 Large molds make up the main hall, 274 00:14:35,870 --> 00:14:38,270 Small molds make up the corridors, 275 00:14:38,270 --> 00:14:43,540 And finally, midsize molds form the guest rooms. 276 00:14:43,550 --> 00:14:46,350 Next, workers use a powerful snow blower 277 00:14:46,350 --> 00:14:48,350 To spray the special snice mixture 278 00:14:48,350 --> 00:14:52,520 On top of the molds to form layers over three feet thick. 279 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:55,320 ♪ 280 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:58,460 Overnight, the freezing arctic temperatures 281 00:14:58,460 --> 00:15:01,330 Should cure and harden the icy shell. 282 00:15:01,330 --> 00:15:03,400 ♪ 283 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:06,400 The next day, workers slide the molds out, 284 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:11,940 Leaving an incredibly strong thick-walled structure behind. 285 00:15:11,940 --> 00:15:14,010 The team must repeat this process 286 00:15:14,010 --> 00:15:17,680 Until the entire hotel's outer shell is complete. 287 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:23,620 ♪ 288 00:15:23,620 --> 00:15:26,490 Man: Let's go, yep. 289 00:15:26,490 --> 00:15:31,020 Narrator: The team races to set the first molds. 290 00:15:31,030 --> 00:15:35,560 The molds are shaped in the form of a structural arch. 291 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:39,500 Just like an arch made of stone, its shape distributes weight 292 00:15:39,500 --> 00:15:44,700 Out to the sides, making it incredibly strong. 293 00:15:44,710 --> 00:15:48,680 A little bit more on the left side. 294 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:52,180 They haul in two-ton ice blocks to form solid doorways 295 00:15:52,180 --> 00:15:54,550 Between the guest rooms and corridors. 296 00:15:58,050 --> 00:16:00,520 Finally, they secure steel plates 297 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:04,860 To form a barrier around the molds. 298 00:16:04,860 --> 00:16:06,390 As night falls, 299 00:16:06,390 --> 00:16:09,960 It's time for jocke's team to bring out the big gun... 300 00:16:09,970 --> 00:16:12,600 ♪ 301 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:17,500 ...Their 25-ton, 700-horsepower snowblower tractor. 302 00:16:17,510 --> 00:16:19,810 ♪ 303 00:16:19,810 --> 00:16:22,710 The monstrous machine uses spiraled metal blades 304 00:16:22,710 --> 00:16:24,680 To churn up the snice... 305 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:29,480 ♪ 306 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:32,720 ...Blasting it up through an articulating chute 307 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:34,820 And onto the steel molds. 308 00:16:34,820 --> 00:16:37,520 ♪ 309 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,340 ♪ 310 00:16:49,340 --> 00:16:51,840 Workers on top of the slippery arches 311 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,970 Face the most dangerous challenge -- 312 00:16:54,980 --> 00:16:59,280 They must spread the snice to an even thickness by hand. 313 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:05,650 There's even a risk that the powerful snowblower could shoot 314 00:17:05,650 --> 00:17:07,690 More than just snow at them. 315 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:27,970 ♪ 316 00:17:33,180 --> 00:17:36,920 It takes two hours to complete the first casting session. 317 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:41,990 ♪ 318 00:17:41,990 --> 00:17:44,220 The team must leave the casting to harden 319 00:17:44,230 --> 00:17:47,060 In the cold winter air, 320 00:17:47,060 --> 00:17:50,800 But with only 29 days left until the grand opening, 321 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:54,700 Mother nature can be a fickle partner. 322 00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:56,540 Oh. 323 00:17:56,540 --> 00:17:58,170 There's a hole in the roof. 324 00:17:58,170 --> 00:18:00,240 A big hole. 325 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,780 ♪ 326 00:18:10,620 --> 00:18:16,590 ♪ 327 00:18:16,590 --> 00:18:20,090 Narrator: In arctic sweden, a team of engineers is racing 328 00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:24,460 To build a giant ice hotel. 329 00:18:24,470 --> 00:18:27,630 Having left the soft snow arches to harden overnight, 330 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:32,240 The workers are ready to remove the first steel molds. 331 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:33,940 ♪ 332 00:18:38,610 --> 00:18:41,910 They hook a chain to the molds... 333 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,990 And gear up to pull them free. 334 00:18:45,990 --> 00:18:48,790 It's vital that the workers stay underneath the frame 335 00:18:48,790 --> 00:18:50,820 As they pull it out. 336 00:18:50,830 --> 00:18:53,760 A collapsing roof could be lethal. 337 00:18:58,070 --> 00:18:59,870 Man: Yeah. 338 00:18:59,870 --> 00:19:03,540 ♪ 339 00:19:10,850 --> 00:19:15,150 With the first row of molds out, jocke ventures inside 340 00:19:15,150 --> 00:19:18,350 To check whether the new snice walls have set firm. 341 00:19:23,660 --> 00:19:26,560 The first tunnel gets the all-clear. 342 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:28,790 They move on to the next row. 343 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:34,200 ♪ 344 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:36,240 Just as they pull out the first mold, 345 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,440 They discover a major problem. 346 00:19:45,350 --> 00:19:49,520 A section of the archway has broken loose, leaving a hole. 347 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:51,350 It hasn't set properly. 348 00:20:02,460 --> 00:20:06,570 With just 26 days until the hotel is due to open, 349 00:20:06,570 --> 00:20:10,640 The arch must freeze solid before they can attempt a fix. 350 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:17,280 ♪ 351 00:20:20,950 --> 00:20:26,820 The following day, temperatures continue to rise above freezing. 352 00:20:26,820 --> 00:20:29,290 It's now too warm to make more snice 353 00:20:29,290 --> 00:20:32,760 For the hotel's outer shell. 354 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:35,290 Work onsite grinds to a halt. 355 00:20:35,300 --> 00:20:37,930 ♪ 356 00:20:37,930 --> 00:20:42,000 It's an unprecedented problem for arne. 357 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,740 Bergh: We're looking at the weather prediction every day. 358 00:20:44,740 --> 00:20:47,710 We need below-zero temperature. 359 00:20:47,710 --> 00:20:49,580 So, this is our challenge -- 360 00:20:49,580 --> 00:20:53,080 To have everything there by the 14th of December, 361 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:54,980 We have to have a shining ice hotel 362 00:20:54,980 --> 00:20:56,580 For our guests arriving. 363 00:20:56,580 --> 00:21:05,520 ♪ 364 00:21:05,530 --> 00:21:07,490 Narrator: It takes five days, 365 00:21:07,500 --> 00:21:10,900 But finally, the temperature drops back down to freezing 366 00:21:10,900 --> 00:21:13,570 And work on the build can resume. 367 00:21:13,570 --> 00:21:16,400 The colder it gets, the happier we are. 368 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:17,740 (laughs) 369 00:21:17,740 --> 00:21:21,110 Narrator: They quickly repair the hole in the roof, 370 00:21:21,110 --> 00:21:24,480 But arne's team is now 12 days behind schedule. 371 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:27,210 ♪ 372 00:21:27,220 --> 00:21:29,150 To make up for lost time, 373 00:21:29,150 --> 00:21:31,580 They must now work around the clock 374 00:21:31,590 --> 00:21:35,350 To get the build of the hotel's outer shell back on track. 375 00:21:35,360 --> 00:21:38,060 ♪ 376 00:21:38,060 --> 00:21:41,190 With each casting, the hotel grows bigger. 377 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:46,230 ♪ 378 00:21:46,230 --> 00:21:50,040 But jocke's team can't leave the taller 16-foot-high tunnels 379 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:52,710 Of the main hall unsupported for long. 380 00:21:52,710 --> 00:21:54,570 ♪ 381 00:21:54,580 --> 00:21:57,540 Enmalm: The main hall is the biggest part of the hotel, 382 00:21:57,550 --> 00:21:59,280 The biggest room. 383 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:02,210 There's a lot of weight in the ceiling. 384 00:22:02,220 --> 00:22:04,450 ♪ 385 00:22:04,450 --> 00:22:06,590 Narrator: Over the course of the winter, 386 00:22:06,590 --> 00:22:08,650 The roof can drop dramatically. 387 00:22:08,660 --> 00:22:10,620 ♪ 388 00:22:10,630 --> 00:22:14,090 It's all down to the nature of the building material. 389 00:22:14,100 --> 00:22:17,800 ♪ 390 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:20,270 The snice that makes up the arches contains 391 00:22:20,270 --> 00:22:22,600 Millions of tiny pockets of air. 392 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:25,270 ♪ 393 00:22:25,270 --> 00:22:28,170 In the larger arches, the sheer weight of material 394 00:22:28,180 --> 00:22:30,610 Will gradually force this air out. 395 00:22:30,610 --> 00:22:33,050 ♪ 396 00:22:33,050 --> 00:22:36,350 Over time, this makes the bigger arches contract 397 00:22:36,350 --> 00:22:40,820 And the ceilings sink dangerously. 398 00:22:40,820 --> 00:22:42,250 To counteract this, 399 00:22:42,260 --> 00:22:45,360 The team will stack blocks of the strongest ice, 400 00:22:45,360 --> 00:22:48,030 Harvested from the river nine months earlier, 401 00:22:48,030 --> 00:22:51,900 To form 14 columns that reinforce the ceiling. 402 00:22:51,900 --> 00:22:54,370 ♪ 403 00:22:54,370 --> 00:22:58,170 Huge ice walls at either end will provide extra support 404 00:22:58,170 --> 00:23:01,010 And also protect the hotel's guests 405 00:23:01,010 --> 00:23:03,180 From the harsh winter outside. 406 00:23:03,180 --> 00:23:08,980 ♪ 407 00:23:08,980 --> 00:23:12,050 Without a moment to lose, jocke and his team 408 00:23:12,050 --> 00:23:15,520 Level the ground to build the first ice columns. 409 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:16,990 They are trying to put up the columns 410 00:23:16,990 --> 00:23:18,320 As quickly as possible. 411 00:23:18,330 --> 00:23:21,160 Narrator: They set a massive seven-foot-tall ice block 412 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:24,500 At the base of each column. 413 00:23:24,500 --> 00:23:28,600 It alone weighs over 700 pounds. 414 00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:32,410 You must be careful when you handle that. 415 00:23:32,410 --> 00:23:35,140 Narrator: They use a special hydraulic pusher 416 00:23:35,140 --> 00:23:39,410 To stack smaller 110-pound blocks of ice on top. 417 00:23:40,850 --> 00:23:44,320 It delicately passes the heavy ice to the workers. 418 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:46,550 ♪ 419 00:23:46,550 --> 00:23:48,920 It's crucial they keep the pillars level 420 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:53,060 As they build them higher or they could become unstable. 421 00:23:53,060 --> 00:23:55,430 Enmalm: Everything needs to be perfectly aligned. 422 00:23:55,430 --> 00:23:56,500 Need to be straight. 423 00:23:56,500 --> 00:23:59,000 If we had a bend in the structure 424 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:00,330 And the roof forces it down, 425 00:24:00,330 --> 00:24:02,940 Then it might swing out to the side. 426 00:24:02,940 --> 00:24:04,470 ♪ 427 00:24:04,470 --> 00:24:07,270 Narrator: With guests arriving in three weeks' time, 428 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:11,110 A deadly toppling tower of ice isn't an option. 429 00:24:11,110 --> 00:24:16,550 ♪ 430 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:31,960 ♪ 431 00:24:31,970 --> 00:24:35,330 Narrator: Deep in the arctic circle... 432 00:24:35,340 --> 00:24:38,440 The team building this giant ice hotel 433 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:41,170 Is in a race to support its sinking ceiling 434 00:24:41,180 --> 00:24:43,140 With pillars of ice. 435 00:24:43,140 --> 00:24:45,340 ♪ 436 00:24:45,350 --> 00:24:49,880 As the teams stack the blocks, they pour on cups of cold water. 437 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:52,150 ♪ 438 00:24:52,150 --> 00:24:54,990 The water freezes quickly in the arctic temperatures 439 00:24:54,990 --> 00:24:56,790 To act as a glue. 440 00:24:56,790 --> 00:25:01,560 ♪ 441 00:25:02,900 --> 00:25:04,560 The higher the pillars get, 442 00:25:04,570 --> 00:25:08,130 The closer the tractor pusher comes to the delicate ceiling. 443 00:25:19,180 --> 00:25:21,550 The second set of pillars rise up. 444 00:25:21,550 --> 00:25:24,020 ♪ 445 00:25:24,020 --> 00:25:26,390 But just as they near the top, 446 00:25:26,390 --> 00:25:28,890 They hit an unforeseen challenge. 447 00:25:28,890 --> 00:25:31,320 ♪ 448 00:25:33,130 --> 00:25:37,330 The cold weather causes the hydraulic pusher to seize. 449 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:42,230 They have no option but to carefully haul 450 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:44,740 Each 110-pound block off the shovel 451 00:25:44,740 --> 00:25:49,380 And into place by hand. 452 00:25:49,380 --> 00:25:52,140 They saw one ice block to form a wedge 453 00:25:52,150 --> 00:25:54,050 To place on top of the column, 454 00:25:54,050 --> 00:25:56,820 Squeezing it in tightly to support the ceiling. 455 00:25:56,820 --> 00:25:59,650 Enmalm: It freezes almost instantly, 456 00:25:59,650 --> 00:26:01,720 And it's basically one big block again. 457 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:03,920 ♪ 458 00:26:03,930 --> 00:26:05,760 It takes the crew over a week 459 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:09,500 To finish the columns and huge ice walls. 460 00:26:09,500 --> 00:26:11,760 ♪ 461 00:26:11,770 --> 00:26:14,400 The hotel's ceiling should now stand securely 462 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:16,270 Through the winter season. 463 00:26:16,270 --> 00:26:23,810 ♪ 464 00:26:23,810 --> 00:26:25,640 It's now December. 465 00:26:25,650 --> 00:26:27,510 ♪ 466 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:30,850 The ice hotel is due to open its doors to paying guests 467 00:26:30,850 --> 00:26:34,590 In just two weeks' time. 468 00:26:34,590 --> 00:26:38,060 Work on the hotel's outer shell is almost complete. 469 00:26:38,060 --> 00:26:43,100 ♪ 470 00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:45,000 Now it rests on the shoulders 471 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:46,930 Of an international group of artists 472 00:26:46,930 --> 00:26:53,140 And designers to build each of the hotel's unique guest rooms 473 00:26:53,140 --> 00:26:55,770 And handcraft the public areas. 474 00:26:55,780 --> 00:26:59,450 ♪ 475 00:26:59,450 --> 00:27:02,920 Luca roncoroni leads this team. 476 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:06,220 Always use helmet and high-visibility vest. 477 00:27:06,220 --> 00:27:10,390 Keep a good clearance from the -- from the machines. 478 00:27:10,390 --> 00:27:13,160 I'm responsible for the team, so I make sure 479 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:17,800 They have everything they need to build the rooms. 480 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:20,700 Narrator: He must make sure that all 33 ice designers 481 00:27:20,700 --> 00:27:24,470 Complete their mission by December 14th 482 00:27:24,470 --> 00:27:27,610 And not a day later. 483 00:27:27,610 --> 00:27:29,740 Roncoroni: The rooms are booked. 484 00:27:29,740 --> 00:27:31,540 We know that there's gonna be guests 485 00:27:31,550 --> 00:27:35,010 Coming from all over the world, so no matter when we start, 486 00:27:35,020 --> 00:27:37,080 We know that we have to be done by that day. 487 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:39,250 ♪ 488 00:27:39,250 --> 00:27:41,320 Narrator: But just how will they transform 489 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:45,890 These hardened icy archways into a beautiful boutique hotel? 490 00:27:45,890 --> 00:27:50,560 ♪ 491 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:53,230 To build the intricate sculpted interiors, 492 00:27:53,230 --> 00:27:57,000 First luca's team must carefully transport tons of snow 493 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:00,210 And ice to each suite... 494 00:28:00,210 --> 00:28:04,280 Then seal it inside with a final wall of snice. 495 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:06,350 ♪ 496 00:28:06,350 --> 00:28:10,220 Next, using a mixture of hand tools and power tools, 497 00:28:10,220 --> 00:28:13,120 The designers carve intricate patterns 498 00:28:13,120 --> 00:28:15,220 And shape stunning sculptures 499 00:28:15,220 --> 00:28:17,420 From the crystal-clear river ice. 500 00:28:17,430 --> 00:28:19,760 ♪ 501 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:22,660 Finally, in the main hall and chapel, 502 00:28:22,660 --> 00:28:26,200 Elite teams of artisans will turn several tons of ice 503 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:31,340 Into towering shapes and statues to transform this cold, 504 00:28:31,340 --> 00:28:35,240 Empty space into a winter wonderland. 505 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:39,110 ♪ 506 00:28:46,590 --> 00:28:48,550 12 days until opening. 507 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:50,560 ♪ 508 00:28:50,560 --> 00:28:52,060 A number of rooms are ready 509 00:28:52,060 --> 00:28:55,090 For the first ice designers to craft their suites. 510 00:28:55,100 --> 00:28:58,260 ♪ 511 00:28:58,270 --> 00:29:01,270 In the production hall, luca is under pressure 512 00:29:01,270 --> 00:29:04,500 To deliver the pre-cut blocks of ice for each team. 513 00:29:04,510 --> 00:29:06,770 ♪ 514 00:29:06,770 --> 00:29:09,680 If you take an average of 12 tons of ice per suite, 515 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:13,550 It's a huge amount of material going in. 516 00:29:13,550 --> 00:29:16,480 Bergh: Luca is fantastic. 517 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:18,980 Almost all the time, he's awake, he's on the site, 518 00:29:18,990 --> 00:29:21,190 And he's, like, really supporting everyone 519 00:29:21,190 --> 00:29:23,790 And seeing that everything is working. 520 00:29:23,790 --> 00:29:25,760 We need 26 and 20. 521 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:28,930 Narrator: Now with so many people and machines onsite, 522 00:29:28,930 --> 00:29:32,400 Everybody needs to stay extra alert. 523 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:35,000 Roncoroni: We have, like, big machinery. We have snow cannons going on. 524 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:39,240 So, yeah, like, sound and light coming in different direction. 525 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:42,980 We all need to be aware of what everybody else is doing 526 00:29:42,980 --> 00:29:45,640 So that we don't get in the way of each other 527 00:29:45,650 --> 00:29:49,380 And that we avoid potentially dangerous situation. 528 00:29:49,380 --> 00:29:51,450 Narrator: But some of the challenges 529 00:29:51,450 --> 00:29:54,950 Aren't so easy to prepare for. 530 00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:57,620 I'm working with my mother. (chuckles) 531 00:29:57,630 --> 00:30:00,430 ♪ 532 00:30:07,070 --> 00:30:12,570 ♪ 533 00:30:19,610 --> 00:30:22,050 Narrator: At the jukkasjarvi icehotel, 534 00:30:22,050 --> 00:30:23,680 Building each unique suite 535 00:30:23,680 --> 00:30:28,020 Within a two-week time span is a major engineering feat. 536 00:30:28,020 --> 00:30:30,160 ♪ 537 00:30:30,160 --> 00:30:32,620 The challenge and the exciting thing about the icehotel 538 00:30:32,630 --> 00:30:34,230 Is that the rooms are so different, 539 00:30:34,230 --> 00:30:35,560 And every single room 540 00:30:35,560 --> 00:30:38,660 Requires a different set of techniques and skills. 541 00:30:38,670 --> 00:30:42,330 So we're doing anything from building to digging 542 00:30:42,340 --> 00:30:45,870 Or building snow with ice. 543 00:30:45,870 --> 00:30:48,140 Narrator: Swedish team tjasa and sam 544 00:30:48,140 --> 00:30:50,510 Are working hard to build their suite. 545 00:30:50,510 --> 00:30:52,540 ♪ 546 00:30:52,550 --> 00:30:55,080 It's called "wisdom of oak" 547 00:30:55,080 --> 00:30:59,690 And will feature two large trees made from ice. 548 00:30:59,690 --> 00:31:02,250 I'm working with my son. 549 00:31:02,260 --> 00:31:04,020 (laughs) 550 00:31:04,020 --> 00:31:06,460 This is our first project together, 551 00:31:06,460 --> 00:31:07,760 But I also forced him 552 00:31:07,760 --> 00:31:12,800 To work a whole christmas once when he was 11. 553 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:16,170 I'm working with my mother. (chuckles) 554 00:31:16,170 --> 00:31:19,140 I'm a carpenter, so it's a big difference with this. 555 00:31:19,140 --> 00:31:23,280 You don't really know what's gonna work. 556 00:31:23,280 --> 00:31:26,550 Narrator: It takes three days to create the first ice tree. 557 00:31:26,550 --> 00:31:29,550 ♪ 558 00:31:29,550 --> 00:31:34,750 But now tjasa and sam face a complex challenge. 559 00:31:34,760 --> 00:31:39,460 The branches of the second tree, weighing over 700 pounds apiece, 560 00:31:39,460 --> 00:31:43,200 Must hang over where the guests will sleep. 561 00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:47,770 The key challenge is to support this big branches. 562 00:31:47,770 --> 00:31:50,270 Tjasa: The guests should sleep safely here... 563 00:31:50,270 --> 00:31:52,340 [chuckles] during the night. 564 00:31:52,340 --> 00:31:54,870 You have to make sure that there's no branches 565 00:31:54,880 --> 00:31:57,810 Falling down on the guests. 566 00:31:57,810 --> 00:32:00,350 ♪ 567 00:32:00,350 --> 00:32:03,650 Narrator: Sam plans to hide wooden joists out of sight 568 00:32:03,650 --> 00:32:05,480 To hold up the branches. 569 00:32:05,490 --> 00:32:08,850 It's the only way to make them safe. 570 00:32:08,860 --> 00:32:11,060 First, our idea was to just use ice, 571 00:32:11,060 --> 00:32:14,830 But we -- it was impossible. 572 00:32:14,830 --> 00:32:17,000 Narrator: With the supports in the wall, 573 00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:20,630 They can install the heavy branches. 574 00:32:20,630 --> 00:32:24,900 So, here, we have a shelf already made for the ice 575 00:32:24,910 --> 00:32:28,240 And a shelf over here made for the ice. 576 00:32:28,240 --> 00:32:33,880 I think this will be a working solution. 577 00:32:33,880 --> 00:32:36,180 ♪ 578 00:32:36,180 --> 00:32:39,080 Narrator: They use a special manual lifting platform 579 00:32:39,090 --> 00:32:42,690 To hoist the first branch up. 580 00:32:42,690 --> 00:32:45,260 So, maybe a little bit too high. 581 00:32:45,260 --> 00:32:47,030 I think a little bit more down. 582 00:32:47,030 --> 00:32:49,530 ♪ 583 00:32:49,530 --> 00:32:51,960 That's... 584 00:32:51,970 --> 00:32:53,930 You can see the problem. 585 00:32:53,930 --> 00:32:55,770 We're not even on the edge yet. 586 00:32:55,770 --> 00:32:57,440 It's a thing over there. 587 00:32:57,440 --> 00:33:03,880 ♪ 588 00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:04,980 Yeah. 589 00:33:04,980 --> 00:33:07,080 It's looking good. 590 00:33:07,080 --> 00:33:10,080 Narrator: The first branch slots into position. 591 00:33:10,080 --> 00:33:12,020 Now for the second. 592 00:33:12,020 --> 00:33:15,390 One, two, three. 593 00:33:15,390 --> 00:33:17,320 It doesn't fit. 594 00:33:17,320 --> 00:33:22,530 But the good thing about ice is you can chisel it down to size. 595 00:33:22,530 --> 00:33:24,060 Yes. 596 00:33:24,060 --> 00:33:27,600 Perfect. 597 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:30,640 Both ice branches may be in place, 598 00:33:30,640 --> 00:33:34,540 But there's still a huge amount of work to do. 599 00:33:34,540 --> 00:33:37,780 I think the two-week limit is a little bit like, okay, 600 00:33:37,780 --> 00:33:39,080 It's got to be done, 601 00:33:39,080 --> 00:33:44,050 And for many people, it will be very little time. 602 00:33:44,050 --> 00:33:48,650 ♪ 603 00:33:48,660 --> 00:33:52,090 Narrator: As work continues in the suites... 604 00:33:52,090 --> 00:33:53,730 Intricate sculptures 605 00:33:53,730 --> 00:33:56,900 Begin to take shape in the main hall and chapel. 606 00:33:56,900 --> 00:34:01,600 ♪ 607 00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:05,770 As the race to finish the hotel enters its final stages, 608 00:34:05,770 --> 00:34:10,210 The build team faces a new challenge -- 609 00:34:10,210 --> 00:34:12,310 All of the stunning suites and sculptures 610 00:34:12,310 --> 00:34:17,220 Will be for nothing if they're not lit up. 611 00:34:17,220 --> 00:34:20,350 Lighting is definitely the make-or-break deal. 612 00:34:20,350 --> 00:34:23,420 It's very important. 613 00:34:23,420 --> 00:34:26,120 If you just have ice standing, 614 00:34:26,130 --> 00:34:28,630 It will look gray or transparent. 615 00:34:28,630 --> 00:34:30,460 It will look very dull, 616 00:34:30,460 --> 00:34:34,470 But using a little bit of light, it will look magical. 617 00:34:34,470 --> 00:34:37,340 ♪ 618 00:34:37,340 --> 00:34:39,470 Narrator: In charge of illuminating the ice 619 00:34:39,470 --> 00:34:40,640 Is chief electrician 620 00:34:40,640 --> 00:34:43,140 And lighting designer olaf lange. 621 00:34:43,140 --> 00:34:45,810 ♪ 622 00:34:45,810 --> 00:34:49,210 Olaf and his team have just a few days to wire 623 00:34:49,220 --> 00:34:51,720 And light 35 rooms. 624 00:34:51,720 --> 00:34:55,720 ♪ 625 00:34:55,720 --> 00:34:59,060 Remember, that's where the magic happens. 626 00:34:59,060 --> 00:35:01,590 Narrator: The pressure is on. 627 00:35:01,600 --> 00:35:06,160 ♪ 628 00:35:12,840 --> 00:35:17,410 ♪ 629 00:35:17,410 --> 00:35:21,010 Narrator: Deep in the arctic circle... 630 00:35:21,010 --> 00:35:22,910 One of the world's biggest ice hotels 631 00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:27,290 Is scheduled to open in just a few days' time. 632 00:35:27,290 --> 00:35:31,090 I work 15 to 17 hours a day, and it's hard work. 633 00:35:31,090 --> 00:35:34,160 It's really a demanding last few days. 634 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:37,560 ♪ 635 00:35:37,560 --> 00:35:39,330 Narrator: While teams race to complete 636 00:35:39,330 --> 00:35:41,800 The exquisite interior rooms... 637 00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:43,770 (speaking swedish) 638 00:35:43,770 --> 00:35:46,440 Narrator: ...Olaf lange's crew is under pressure to wire 639 00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:48,210 And light them up, 640 00:35:48,210 --> 00:35:52,080 A job that would traditionally take several weeks. 641 00:35:52,080 --> 00:35:54,150 The idea is that you would have the guests 642 00:35:54,150 --> 00:35:56,950 Coming into each suite and just [gasps] 643 00:35:56,950 --> 00:35:58,420 Basically dropping their jaw. 644 00:35:58,420 --> 00:36:00,990 (chuckles) then we've done our job good. 645 00:36:00,990 --> 00:36:01,990 ♪ 646 00:36:01,990 --> 00:36:03,960 Narrator: This is how they'll do it. 647 00:36:03,960 --> 00:36:07,390 ♪ 648 00:36:07,390 --> 00:36:09,530 They wire up nine power outlets 649 00:36:09,530 --> 00:36:11,660 Buried around the hotel's perimeter. 650 00:36:11,670 --> 00:36:13,870 ♪ 651 00:36:13,870 --> 00:36:17,700 Next, they'll punch specially shielded high-voltage cables 652 00:36:17,700 --> 00:36:20,610 Through the thick ice walls... 653 00:36:20,610 --> 00:36:24,680 Connect them to 15 junction boxes... 654 00:36:24,680 --> 00:36:29,380 Then branch upwards to reach the ice hotel's roof. 655 00:36:29,380 --> 00:36:33,590 Here, they'll rig a complex electrified grid, 656 00:36:33,590 --> 00:36:36,760 Feeding all 35 guest rooms 657 00:36:36,760 --> 00:36:40,590 And the hotel's main hall and chapel with wires 658 00:36:40,590 --> 00:36:44,600 To power hundreds of individual l.E.D.S. 659 00:36:44,600 --> 00:36:48,530 Finally, they'll hoist four giant ice chandeliers, 660 00:36:48,540 --> 00:36:52,140 Each weighing 175 pounds, 661 00:36:52,140 --> 00:36:56,070 And hang them from the fragile snow-and-ice ceiling -- 662 00:36:56,080 --> 00:37:00,810 An entire hotel wired and lit in just seven days. 663 00:37:08,790 --> 00:37:10,290 ♪ 664 00:37:10,290 --> 00:37:13,290 As olaf drives the cables through the hotel's walls 665 00:37:13,290 --> 00:37:15,260 And roof from the outside... 666 00:37:15,260 --> 00:37:17,560 ♪ 667 00:37:17,560 --> 00:37:23,000 ...Inside, electricians install hundreds of individual l.E.D.S. 668 00:37:23,000 --> 00:37:25,070 ♪ 669 00:37:25,070 --> 00:37:31,210 These shine through sculptures and icy lampshades. 670 00:37:31,210 --> 00:37:35,050 They carefully conceal each wire in the walls with snice. 671 00:37:35,050 --> 00:37:36,850 ♪ 672 00:37:36,850 --> 00:37:39,680 (laughs) 673 00:37:39,690 --> 00:37:43,420 Now olaf faces his greatest challenge. 674 00:37:43,420 --> 00:37:46,390 He must mount the most important lights of all -- 675 00:37:46,390 --> 00:37:50,230 The 175-pound ice chandeliers. 676 00:37:50,230 --> 00:37:52,660 There must be a chandelier in the icehotel. 677 00:37:52,670 --> 00:37:54,730 Otherwise, it's not the icehotel. 678 00:37:54,740 --> 00:37:58,700 ♪ 679 00:37:58,710 --> 00:38:02,670 Narrator: Olaf must erect a special winch up on the roof. 680 00:38:02,680 --> 00:38:07,110 Lange: This is the winch to raise and hang the chandelier. 681 00:38:07,110 --> 00:38:09,680 So, we use it to lift it from the pillow 682 00:38:09,680 --> 00:38:13,490 And then another lock to keep it in place. 683 00:38:13,490 --> 00:38:15,390 Narrator: These support boards will help spread 684 00:38:15,390 --> 00:38:19,860 The 220-pound weight of the winch and chandelier. 685 00:38:19,860 --> 00:38:23,160 Time feels very much longer when you're up here in the cold 686 00:38:23,160 --> 00:38:25,830 Waiting for something to happen. 687 00:38:25,830 --> 00:38:29,570 Narrator: Finally, the moment of truth. 688 00:38:29,570 --> 00:38:32,040 Now we raise it up. 689 00:38:32,040 --> 00:38:36,940 ♪ 690 00:39:00,070 --> 00:39:03,070 It's hanging. It's shining. 691 00:39:03,070 --> 00:39:04,540 It'd never feel quite finished 692 00:39:04,540 --> 00:39:06,740 Unless we have the chandelier in place. 693 00:39:06,740 --> 00:39:13,850 ♪ 694 00:39:20,820 --> 00:39:25,090 Narrator: With the clock counting down to opening... 695 00:39:25,090 --> 00:39:27,890 Crews battle to finish the hotel. 696 00:39:27,890 --> 00:39:31,060 ♪ 697 00:39:31,060 --> 00:39:34,400 Yeah, it's so many that need their stuff now in the rooms. 698 00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:40,310 In the suites, giant sculptures emerge from the ice. 699 00:39:40,310 --> 00:39:42,340 There is definitely a buzz in the air. 700 00:39:42,340 --> 00:39:48,480 ♪ 701 00:39:48,480 --> 00:39:54,190 So, now it's just a few hours left to the guests will arrive 702 00:39:54,190 --> 00:39:57,690 To see the whole creation. 703 00:39:57,690 --> 00:39:59,890 You work so hard. 704 00:39:59,890 --> 00:40:01,490 My arms are aching. (chuckles) 705 00:40:01,500 --> 00:40:02,990 ♪ 706 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:07,200 Narrator: Workers race to clear corridors... 707 00:40:07,200 --> 00:40:10,300 And put the finishing touches to the ice beds. 708 00:40:10,300 --> 00:40:14,270 ♪ 709 00:40:26,390 --> 00:40:30,890 It's taken more than 4,000 hours of intricate labor 710 00:40:30,890 --> 00:40:33,730 And ingenious sub-zero engineering... 711 00:40:33,730 --> 00:40:36,090 ♪ 712 00:40:36,100 --> 00:40:39,660 ...But one of the world's largest snow-and-ice hotels 713 00:40:39,670 --> 00:40:41,730 Is finally complete. 714 00:40:41,740 --> 00:40:45,400 ♪ 715 00:40:45,410 --> 00:40:48,540 For mother-and-son design team tjasa and sam, 716 00:40:48,540 --> 00:40:51,510 Completing their suite is a huge relief. 717 00:40:51,510 --> 00:40:54,880 I hope that the guests will enjoy it. 718 00:40:54,880 --> 00:40:57,880 Tjasa: I'm super proud and also grateful 719 00:40:57,880 --> 00:41:00,620 That we were able to do this room together. 720 00:41:00,620 --> 00:41:02,750 ♪ 721 00:41:02,760 --> 00:41:06,830 Narrator: Their suite is one of 35 unique guest rooms 722 00:41:06,830 --> 00:41:08,190 Carefully crafted 723 00:41:08,200 --> 00:41:13,100 From over 120,000 gallons of frozen water, 724 00:41:13,100 --> 00:41:16,670 Providing guests with a one-of-a-kind experience 725 00:41:16,670 --> 00:41:18,870 That they'll never forget. 726 00:41:18,870 --> 00:41:20,710 ♪ 727 00:41:20,710 --> 00:41:23,680 So, we want to welcome you all to see the icehotel. 728 00:41:23,680 --> 00:41:25,580 Thank you very much. Welcome. 729 00:41:25,580 --> 00:41:28,210 (cheers and applause) 730 00:41:28,220 --> 00:41:32,920 ♪ 731 00:41:47,100 --> 00:41:49,470 It's a relief and a great moment. 732 00:41:49,470 --> 00:41:52,070 I think we have the best team ever. 733 00:41:52,070 --> 00:41:54,470 Narrator: Guests from around the world 734 00:41:54,470 --> 00:41:59,610 Will now enjoy a spectacular arctic escape all winter long. 735 00:41:59,610 --> 00:42:01,450 Bergh: I'd like our guests to, you know, 736 00:42:01,450 --> 00:42:03,880 Experience the contrast of staying in the icehotel, 737 00:42:03,880 --> 00:42:05,050 Staying in minus-five, 738 00:42:05,050 --> 00:42:07,420 Being out on an adventure with snowmobiles, 739 00:42:07,420 --> 00:42:09,850 And then going by a fire. 740 00:42:09,860 --> 00:42:12,560 That's what I like, and I hope that everyone else does. 741 00:42:12,560 --> 00:42:18,800 ♪