It started out as a novelty in 1996 - to build a huge snow fort that even had enough space for a few brave souls to spend the night. But after thousands of people flocked to see the new Snow Castle that year, the city of Kemi decided to make it an annual tradition. It is also a huge tourist event, drawing about 100,000 visitors each year to the little northern Finnish town at the top of the Gulf of Bothnia.
The construction of the Snow Castle usually begins in early December, as soon as the weather is appropriate for making the snow. The temperature has to be continuously low, ideally under -7C degrees. The construction work usually takes about 6 weeks, with the opening ceremony in late January.
The area covered by the castle varies each year from 13,000 to over 20,000 square metres. The highest towers have been over 20 metres high and longest walls over 1,000 metres long. The castle has had up to three storeys and features fantastic ice sculptures and carvings on the snow walls. Despite its varying configurations, the snow castle has a few recurring elements: a chapel, a restaurant and a hotel.
The restaurant has tables and benches made of ice, but not to worry, as the seats are covered with reindeer fur. It serves hot and cold beverages as well as snacks, dinner and lunch. The ecumenical chapel accommodates up to 100 people and has hosted numerous weddings. The hotel offers a choice of double rooms and a honeymoon suite, all of which are richly decorated.
The Kemi Snow Castle also has an adventure land for children, a theatre and ice art exhibitions with lights and sound effects. The castle’s season ends sometime in April, when the snow begins to melt away.