Aurora Ice Museum

Every year, thousands of adventure-seekers venture to Chena Hot Springs —one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights. While the natural beauty of the area draws tourists in, the Aurora Ice Museum at the Chena Hot Springs Resort is a hidden gem that holds the title of the world’s largest year-round ice environment.

Visiting the Aurora Ice Museum

Open 365 days a year, the Aurora Ice Museum is a year-round attraction that draws more than 10,000 visitors during the summer months—so arrive early if you’d like to book a tour! Located just 60 miles from downtown Fairbanks, the museum remains one of the city’s most popular attractions, with tours offered every two hours throughout the day.

About the Aurora Ice Museum

It took more than 1,000 tons of snow and ice to create the Aurora Ice Museum—all of which was harvested on-location at the Chena Hot Springs. Staying a cool 25° F, even when summer temperatures reach 90° F outdoors, the museum is cooled from a first-of-its-kind absorption chiller. But don’t worry—they offer complimentary parkas during the tour!

History & Geography

Originally, the idea of creating a building out of ice came from the plan to design an ice hotel at the Chena Hot Springs Resort. When that proved to be too large of a feat, plans were scaled down, and the Aurora Ice Museum was designed.

Completed in 2005, more than 10,000 visitors a year walk through the icy halls of the museum to see the intricate ice sculptures and architectural wonders created by world-renowned ice carving champion Steve Brice and his wife, Heather.

Interesting Facts

The Aurora Ice Museum was designed to support the mission of the Chena Hot Springs Resort to run on renewable energy and sustainable practices. Not only does it utilize the world’s only geothermal absorption chiller to keep inside temperatures consistent, but plenty of surprises also await visitors who put on a parka and take a tour of the icy interior.

• The modern-day Aurora Ice Museum structure consists of a steel framework, a great hall, and the Aurora Ice Bar—where visitors can sample the signature appletini in a hand-carved ice glass.
• Ice sculptures are found everywhere in the Museum, including a giant ice tower, life-size jousting knights, and even a non-functioning ice toilet.
• Chandeliers are installed throughout the museum that shift colors to mimic the effect of the Northern Lights—one of the biggest draws to the Chena Hot Springs area.
• Visitors to the Aurora Ice Museum can do more than just tour the building—they can also sign up to take an ice carving class to try their hand at the art.

Points of Interest

When you want a unique Alaska experience, look no further than the Aurora Ice Museum. An easy drive for those visiting Fairbanks, it’s worth the trip to visit the world’s largest indoor ice environment. Best of all? You can finish your visit by staying the night at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you can catch the best views of the Northern Lights that Alaska has to offer!