Freezing at night? That quickly brings to mind a poorly insulated old apartment in Munich, which is not a cozy home, especially now in January. But a cold night can also be a very special adventure. For those who aren’t satisfied with a normal winter walk, the Bavarian Alps offer an extreme experience. About 90 minutes from Munich, directly below the summit of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, an architectural wonder is created every year that simply melts away again in the spring: the igloo village. And don’t worry, you won’t really freeze during an overnight stay.
A village made of ice
The ice bar in the igloo village / Photo: Shutterstock
Located in the middle of the Zugspitzplatt ski area, this igloo village is much more than just a collection of snow huts. It is a world of frozen art. The walls of the igloos are decorated with elaborate snow sculptures and engravings by international artists. As you stroll through this village, you’ll discover everything from alpine animals to mythical creatures. What’s really special is that the frozen art often shimmers blue in the glow of the LED lights.
In Germany’s highest village, you will also find an ice bar and an igloo restaurant! Have you always wanted to enjoy a cheese fondue under icicles? Here you have the perfect opportunity to do so. And in the snow bar, drinks are served in glasses on real ice.
Wellness in the eternal ice
Photo: Shutterstock
It’s hard to believe, but spending the night in an igloo is far more comfortable than you might think. While temperatures outside drop well below freezing, the inside of the igloo remains at a constant 0 °C. Combined with expedition sleeping bags and reindeer skins, the night becomes one of the most peaceful sleeping experiences imaginable: snow insulates noise almost perfectly.
If you don’t want to stay overnight, you can plan the trip as an unusual day trip. The igloo village even has a hot tub under the open starry sky. Here you can sit in the hot water while snowflakes fall around you onto the rugged rocks of the Wetterstein Mountains. And you also have the best view in the whole country – the igloo village is one of the most exclusive experiences ever!You can plan your visit right here.