Ice Hotel Québec City 2026 — Guide, Prices, What to Expect
Travel writer — I Love Tour Canada
Updated April 2026. The Hôtel de Glace near Québec City is one of the most unique accommodation experiences in North America — rebuilt from scratch every winter using 15,000 tonnes of snow and 500 tonnes of ice. This guide covers prices, what to expect, and tips for both day visits and overnight stays.
What Is the Hôtel de Glace?
The Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel) is the only ice hotel in North America. Located at Village Vacances Valcartier, 30 minutes north of Québec City, the hotel is constructed entirely from snow and ice each January and melts naturally each April. Every year, the interior design and sculpted rooms are completely new.
Key facts:
- Construction: 15,000 tonnes of snow + 500 tonnes of ice
- Build time: ~5 weeks (100+ workers)
- Season: Late January to late March
- Temperature inside: -5°C to -8°C year-round (regardless of outside temperature)
- Location: Valcartier, 30 minutes north of Québec City
Ice Hotel Prices 2026
Day Visit (No Overnight Stay)
You do not need to stay overnight to experience the Ice Hotel. Day visits include access to all public areas, the ice chapel, sculpted galleries, and the Celsius bar.
| Day Visit Option | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Standard day visit | CAD $29–$35/adult |
| Valcartier park + Ice Hotel combo | CAD $49–$65/person |
| Children under 6 | Free |
Hours: 10am–9pm daily during season (late January to late March). Last entry 7pm.
Overnight Stay in the Ice Hotel
Staying overnight is the bucket-list experience. You sleep in a sleeping bag rated to -30°C on a bed made of ice covered with a thick fur mattress. The rooms are between -5°C and -8°C all night.
| Room Type | Price/Night |
|---|---|
| Standard ice room | CAD $399–$499/couple |
| Themed ice suite | CAD $549–$749/couple |
| Nordic bath + themed suite | CAD $650–$899/couple |
| Prices include: | Warm gear rental, breakfast, return to warm area |
What’s included in overnight stays:
- Access to thermal area (warm chalet, sauna, hot tub)
- Thermal sleeping bag and fur mattress rental
- Complimentary breakfast in warm lodge next morning
- Day visit access the following day
👉 Valcartier Ice Hotel and tours on Viator — book early, January slots sell out by December
The Celsius Ice Bar
The Celsius bar inside the Hôtel de Glace is a highlight even for day visitors. You sit on chairs made of ice, drink from glasses carved from ice blocks, and choose from a menu of signature cocktails.
Celsius Bar cocktails: CAD $14–$18/drink Ice glass deposit: CAD $12 (refunded when you return the glass, or keep it — it melts within hours)
Note: The bar requires a day visit ticket. Cash and cards accepted. The bar gets crowded Fridays and Saturdays after 5pm — visit on a weekday or early afternoon for a better experience.
Activities at Valcartier in Winter
The Ice Hotel is located at Village Vacances Valcartier, which is also Canada’s largest winter playground. Day and overnight visitors have access to:
| Activity | Included / Extra |
|---|---|
| Ice hotel visit | Included in day ticket |
| Celsius ice bar | Pay per drink |
| Snow tubing (70+ slides) | CAD $29–$39/person extra |
| Ice skating (5km trail) | Included with park pass |
| Polar baths (outdoor hot tubs) | CAD $25–$35/person extra |
| Snowshoeing | Included with park pass |
Tips for Visiting the Ice Hotel
Dress in warm layers but don’t overheat: Inside the hotel, it’s consistently -5°C to -8°C. You want:
- Base layer: Merino wool (not cotton)
- Insulating layer: Thick fleece or down vest
- Hands: Warm gloves (mittens are better)
- Feet: Warm, waterproof boots rated to -20°C
For overnight guests: The property provides thermal sleeping bags and fur mattresses — you do NOT need to bring your own sleeping gear. What guests underestimate is how cold getting up in the night is — bring warm slippers.
Best time to visit:
- Weekday afternoons are least crowded — less busy at the Celsius bar, more time for photos in the sculpted rooms
- Early evening (5–7pm) — when the ice carvings are lit for the day and look most dramatic
- February — the hotel is fully built and sculpted, construction usually wraps up mid-January
Book in advance: Overnight rooms sell out early. By late November, February weekends are typically full. January midweek has the most availability.
How to Get to the Ice Hotel from Québec City
By car: 30 minutes north on Highway 369. Free parking at Valcartier.
By shuttle: Several tour operators run return shuttles from Québec City hotels to Valcartier during the Ice Hotel season. CAD $25–$40/person return.
By taxi/Uber: CAD $35–$50 one-way from Vieux-Québec.
Guided tours from Québec City: Available from several operators — include transport + ice hotel entry + guide.
FAQ — Ice Hotel Québec City
Do you have to sleep in the ice hotel to visit it? No — a day visit ticket (CAD $29–$35) gives you access to all public areas: sculpted rooms, the ice chapel, the Celsius ice bar, and all themed galleries. Many people visit just for 2–3 hours and the cocktail experience.
Is it safe to sleep at the ice hotel in winter? Yes — the hotel maintains a consistent -5°C to -8°C inside (warmer than outside). The thermal sleeping bags provided are rated to -30°C. Valcartier staff are present 24/7, and a warm lodge is always available a short walk away.
When does the Ice Hotel open and close in 2026? The hotel typically opens in late January and closes in late March, depending on temperatures. Check Valcartier’s official website for exact 2026–2027 dates, which are announced in December.
Is the Ice Hotel suitable for children? Day visits are family-friendly and children love the ice sculptures and snow slides at Valcartier. Overnight stays with children under 12 are generally not recommended (too cold for young children who wake in the night) but the resort can advise based on age.
Can you combine the Ice Hotel with Québec City’s Winter Carnival? Yes — Québec City’s Carnaval de Québec runs in February, the same time the Ice Hotel is fully operational. This is the most popular combination: spend 3 nights in Québec City (Carnaval events + Old Town) and one night at the Ice Hotel.
Book Your Ice Hotel Experience
👉 Québec City winter experiences including Ice Hotel on Viator — tours from CAD $65/person
👉 Hotels in Québec City for your stay on Booking.com — from CAD $110/night
Written by Alex Tremblay
Rania is a writer and traveler behind I Love Tour Canada. She writes honest travel guides across Canada with real prices in CAD, updated regularly.
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