It’s only appropriate that I begin this story about Iglu Dorf with Once Upon A Time …
We got off at the Rotenboden train station in Switzerland with trepidation. The train track seemed to be decorated with glistening ice while all around us snow flakes continued to fall. There was snow as far as the eye could see. Once the train chugged away, there was a deep silence.
Surprisingly Vid and I were snuggly. We had wrapped warm – a dozen layers, thermals, snowboots, the works! We looked at each other and wondered what we had put ourselves up for. Long back, while compiling our travel bucket-list, we had booked ourselves an overnight stay in Iglu Dorf, a unique igloo village which rents igloos to curious souls like us. At that moment, backpacks strung to our backs, we were beginning to doubt our decision as our feet slipped deeper and deeper into the snow.
Within seconds two guides from Iglu Dorf and a couple of other guests appeared on skis as if from nowhere and put our momentary doubts to rest. The guides escorted us to the Iglu Village, a ten minute walk away from the train station. 6-7 stumpy igloos stood in the middle of untouched snow smugly claiming the surreal surroundings as their own.
Our guides, Chris and Patricia, welcomed guests to Iglu Dorf over a cup of gluhwein (warm wine), bowls full of buttery popcorn, and a cheese platter. I confess! I might have missed half of what they said during the induction because I was too busy marvelling at the ice sculptures on the walls of the Ice Bar and the handsome fur rugs that adorned the ice-seats of the li’l amphitheatre next door. Seriously, a whole bar and theatre carved out of ice – how cool is that?
Induction over, we were shown our igloo. We opted for Iglu Dorf’s Romantic Igloo – a private igloo for 2 people with a double sleeping bag. We just dumped our backpacks in our igloo and went to explore the rest of the ‘village’ as powdery snow continued to settle on the ground by the inch. Iglu Dorf in Zermatt (Switzerland) had 8 igloos for overnight guests, 2 bars (an ice bar and a heated bar), a fondue lounge, and hot tubs overlooking the mighty Alps.
Soon it was time for dinner. Dinner was an archetypal Swiss fondue. We sat and conversed with other guest over pieces of bread dipped in rich and luxurious melted cheese. There were just 12 other guests besides us, so everyone became quite friendly over dinner.
At dusk we crept outside and stared at the setting sun and examined intricate snowflakes as they fell on our gloves, relishing every bit of the silence. When the cold got too much to bear, we huddled in front of the fire at the heated bar. Hours passed over a few beers and cheery conversation. It was midnight.
[box] As we stepped outside the bar, we collectively gasped in disbelief. It was full moon night and the entire landscape was bathed in a mellow blue light. I wouldn’t be surprised if this other-worldly beauty brought a tear to some eyes.[/box]
Nobody wanted to let this vision go to waste. Chris, our guide, took all of us ‘snowbooting’ (wearing special snow shoes) at midnight. We spent some time hunting for star-studded skies and shadowy visions of the Alps, especially the Matterhorn and came back to warm jacuzzis.
The alcohol, hot tubs, and exercise warmed up our bodies like nobody’s business. We crawled into our sleeping bag, spread over a bed of ice. Iglu Dorf boasts of heavy duty sleeping bags made for Arctic conditions, so we were warm within minutes. In fact we just didn’t want to wake up when Patricia came to our igloo in the morning with 2 steaming cups of tea.
Most guests left right after breakfast but we lingered on till 11 am, not wanting to leave this winter wonderland. Iglu Dorf we will definitely be back …. 🙂
FACT FILE
- Sleeping in an igloo should definitely be on your bucket list. It is an experience like no other. Unforgettable and memorable.
- Iglu Dorf is one of the most unique hotels in the world. It is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or (if you’re anything like us!) life in general.
- We stayed at Iglu Dorf in Zermatt, Switzerland. But they also have similar igloo hotels in Germany and Andorra.
- The hotel is weather dependent. So it is possible to stay at Iglu Dorf only between November and April
- Toilet facilities are located in a heated complex next to the Igloo Village.
- The price includes welcome drinks, breakfast, dinner, unlimited tea, coffee, and soup. It is important to drink lots of hot liquids to stay hydrated at such a high altitude, so make good use of the unlimited hot drinks.
- More information on their website www.iglu-dorf.com
Would you ever stay overnight in an igloo? 🙂
We were guests of Zermatt Tourism and Iglu Dorf in Switzerland. We are two extremely opinionated ninjas – so all views (good and bad) are entirely our own. Click on to read our full Disclosure Policy
This looks amazing! I REALLY want to stay in an iglo/ice hotel, I’m definitely a winter holiday kind of person. Although, I’d be a little worried about all the snow collapsing on me in the night. Glad you had a great time!
Hey Harriet,
You’ll definitely enjoy this experience. You know, Vid had the same fear (about the ice collapsing while we were sleeping hehe) but it was all intact when we woke up.
Cheers
Oh my God this place looks absolutely amazing! How lucky are you to have stayed there. This is definitely going on my 30 before 30, I HAVE to stay in an igloo. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Fiona tell us how it goes. Would love to know whether you loved it as much as we did 🙂
I’d always dreamt of Staying in an Igloo during my childhood, later thought its impossible. You guys are too much!!! I mean Staying in an Igloo is in my bucket list!!!!!! 😀 😀
Laks this is one experience we’re not forgetting easily 🙂
Very cool experience. Definitely something I HAVE to do one day and Switzerland being one of my favorite countries may very well be where to experience it. Lot the pics!
Amazing! Funnily enough, this is the second thing I’ve read this morning about igloos! It all looks fantastic. I knew someone who got married in an ice hotel in Finland – that looked amazing too.
ooh – that would be fun. Wonder what the bridge wore – I can’t imagine wrapping up this warm on a wedding 🙂
I have never dreamt of doing this, until now! This sounds too good to be true. Definitely on my bucket list now.
Stuti you’ll really enjoy it 🙂
Oh my goodness, this sounds amazing. I have often dreamt (literally) about sleeping in an igloo despite never consciously wanting to, this post has definitely changed my mind!
I know right? It seemed right out of our childhood fantasies 🙂
WoW! is all I can say this looks amazing. I have wanted to stay in one of the Ice hotels for ages, and this looks a great alternative.
It’s such an offbeat experience Mellissa, highly recommended 🙂
I would definitely want to try this, it looks divine! I love th sculptures a really different break, thanks for sharing.
Think you’ll love it Jo 🙂
I have to ask – what was the toilet facilities like? Looks like a crazy COOL adventure for sure 🙂
Teehee, they had a heated toilet complex which could be used by everyone staying at the igloo village 🙂
That place looks insane. It is on my bucket list for sure!
Suki Iglu Dorf is definitely a special place 🙂
Fascinating post, guys. We’re guessing mulled wine never tasted so good. Nor fondue.
Aye true that!! We’re were eating/drinking all night long 😉
I’ve been curious to stay in an igloo or an ice hotel, but I hate the cold. I don’t know if I could handle it even if the sleeping bags are warm. Still worth trying out though!
Adelina we can promise you, you will be super warm. Savi hates the cold too but loved this experience 🙂
This looks absolutely amazing! We will be adding this to our bucket list
Staying in an igloo definitely needs to go on your bucket list Simone 🙂
Absolutely! This is right up my alley, and I’m adding this to my bucket list right now. What fabulous photos, and it sounds like you two had a wonderfully romantic time.
We did Jessica. Iglu Dorf is such a magical place 🙂
Oh. No. I was in Zermatt in 2012 – how is it possible that I totally missed this?! Only consolation is that it was summer time so perhaps wouldn’t have been possible anyway but this really is a must see from the sounds of things! I love the look of that bar – the whole thing looks so cosy and romantic – just love it! 🙂
Oh. No. I was in Zermatt in 2012 – how is it possible that I totally missed this?! Only consolation is that it was summer time so perhaps wouldn’t have been possible anyway but this really is a must see from the sounds of things! I love the look of that bar – the whole thing looks so cosy and romantic – just love it! 🙂
Shikha this was one experience we’ll remember for a long time to come 🙂
We stayed there in February 2013 – absolutely loved it! If it’s possible, it’s even more magical than it sounds in this well written review. As hinted at in the article, book to stay during a full moon. Midnight, moonlight on the tip of the Matterhorn,hot tub, champagne… it’s all you need to know!
Paul you’re absolutely right. Words or photos can’t ever do justice to the experience of staying in an igloo *sigh*
This is something superb!! I never though as a traveler you could actually stay inside an igloo!!! awesome!!!
Hey Rashmi, this was an amazing experience. Highly recommended!!
Hi Savi
Nice blog man…i have a question for you, what you do for earning and affording such expensive places….dont mind but i want to live same life as yours….i hope you wud help me here ….
Love
Naina
Hey Naina, we’ve answered this question in detail in one of our posts. Here’s the link :- http://bit.ly/1mCpLUW
Some amazing pictures out there 🙂 We are planning a last min trip there this coming Easter, would you recommend the igloo hotel during that time? Would there be enough snow? Thx
Hey Nikita – most igloo villages are still standing till Easter. But the weather varied a lot from year to year – so it’s best to confirm with the hotel before you book your stay 🙂
Hey there again…this is definitely on my bucket list and we are planning our trip to Swiss very soon. Just have a question which is the fastest and cheapest way to travel from zurich to zematt.
Thanks guys for inspiring us.
Hi Savi / Vid,
We are considering visiting Iglu Dorf for a 1 night stay in March. We’ll be traveling to Zermatt specially for this from Interlaken. We’ll have a couple of big bags with us. Is there an option of checking in the luggage somewhere or are there lockers available? We don’t want to take those heavy bags with us to the Igloo.
Thanks!
Sandeep
Hi Sandeep,
We had 1 small day bag each and left our big bags in the cottage we were staying at. If we remember well, if guests had bigger bags, they could store them at Hotel Riffelberg for free. However, please double check with the Iglu-dorf staff as that might have changed.
Have a great time there!
Hi Savi and Vid,
This was probably your first article I ever read and haven’t looked Behind after that! Amazing experience. After reading this, we decided to celebrate our 5th anniversary there! We went to another one a but closer to our place. Shivering but memorable! Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
Hey Nisha – that’s awesome. So happy to hear you enjoyed your stay in an igloo 🙂 Do send us high resolution photos (if you have any) to bruisedpassports at gmail dot com. We’d love to share them with our readers
Definitely! We were in the other one, not the same, but will still send the pictures. 🙂
And thanks again for all the inspiration (and beautiful pictures). Such a gorgeous couple!
Hi Vid and Savi
This post is amazing.
I am travelling to Mt. Titlis and Zurich next month. Could you please share details about how to get to this place from Zurich?
Hey It’s a bit of a trek from Zurich – you’ll first have to get to Zermatt and from there follow the directions in the article
So enjoy all your travels. We are in our 70’s & have traveled around the world. We would love to experience the iglo.
Although I’m not fond of the cold!
Do you have anything on Gimmelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen?
You both are such a amazing couple!
Thanks for all the love, Karen. We do have a small write-up on Lauterbrunnen, more specifically the ski world cup. Doubt there are any Igloos there though 🙂
Why don’t you head to Finnish Lapland?