Andy Marshall

I’ve been lucky enough to travel quite extensively over the last three years working with the Aurora Zone and have enjoyed some truly memorable experiences. What I have had less luck with, however, is the Northern Lights. Whilst my colleagues kept coming back from trips with tales of majestic Auroras, I seem to have hit periods of cloud and stories of ‘you should have been here last night it was incredible’.

Our #AuroraZoneMoments competition is still going strong and we’ve had another month of fantastic entries.

When the first plans for the ICEHOTEL® 2018 were revealed in August, we couldn’t wait to see the finished suites. Now, the wait is over and the ICEHOTEL® is officially open!

This is the 29^th annual rendition of the hotel which saw 34 artists from 13 countries help to create the structure made completely of snow and ice. Nature is the inspiration behind many of the suites this year and we’re excited to show you the photos from the grand reveal.  

Autumn is coming and we just can’t wait to see a new season of the Northern Lights!

Why are we so excited about autumnal Northern Lights? Here are five good reasons!

Prior to travelling to the IceHotel, it was difficult to know what to expect, for not in my wildest imagination could I envisage a hotel made from blocks of Ice and decorated with magical sculptures. I had seen photographs of both the IceHotel and the IceHotel365 but once again nothing could prepare me for the reality of actually witnessing them for myself.

After arriving, I dressed into my warm overalls and left the bus behind. We met our guide in the reception area before she led us down snowy paths towards the hotel. As we entered into a courtyard I gazed upon the hotel for the first time and was instantly mesmerised. The structure before me was bathed in enchanting colours of white and blue and it was difficult for me to comprehend that it was rebuilt each year.

Brought up in Northumberland, Andy developed an early love for the outdoors, travel and adventure.  He then pursued his passion and began a career in travel, later joining The Aurora Zone expert team to help those with a wish to see the Northern Lights.

Hunting the Northern Lights in Lapland will always be a truly incredible experience, but why not do it in style?

Here are three great ways to make your Northern Lights holiday even more of a once in a lifetime experience: