Russia’s first snow and ice hotel to be built in Kamchatka

Plans are advancing in the far eastern Kamchatka peninsula for a holiday hotel made of ice and snow, a local tourism official said on Wednesday. "It will be built in 2016 using Canadian and Scandinavian technologies. It will be unique for Russia," Gevork Shkhiyan said. The establishment will open on March 1 near Kamchatka’s famous hot springs, accommodating 15 guests at a time paying 6,000 rubles per night with full board. Furs will cover the floors, guests will rest in sleeping bags designed to withstand the cold and the restaurant will serve food and drinks in dishes and glasses made of ice. Norway built the first snow and ice hotel in 1991. They can now be found in Finland, Sweden, Romania, Canada and Alaska.