Not everybody equates the perfect couple's retreat to sunny beaches, wind-swept palms and tropical cocktails; in fact, some prefer to test the heat of their passion in the most frosty and frigid environments. Thankfully, ample options exist for lovers with a penchant for polar escapes, and you won't believe your eyes when you see just how extraordinary these places are. Keep reading to see eight of our favorite winter wonderlands, perfect for stoking the fire in your relationship.

Photo Credit: Xavier Dachez via xdachez.com

Hôtel de Glace - Québec City, Québec, Canada

With 44 rooms and custom suites made entirely of snow and ice, along with intricate ice sculptures and an ornate ice chandelier, Hôtel de Glace makes for a magical getaway -- that's a mere 10 minute drive from downtown Québec City. Couples can tie the knot or renew their vows inside the epic ice chapel, and then get swept back to their own private sauna and spa with the help of a horse-drawn sleigh. Add-ons like red carpets, handmade ice flutes, fireworks and a professional violinist up the romance factor tenfold, and the hotel's professional on-site photographer is there to capture every magical moment.

Photo Credit: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort via www.kakslauttanen.fi

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort - Saariselkä, Finland

In the heart of the Lapland wilderness, couples have plenty of romantic accommodation options at Finland's Kakslauttanen Resort from an intimate earth lodge to igloos made of snow or ice, or traditional log cabins. For the best of both worlds, the kelo-glass igloo is part log cabin, part glass igloo, and 100% perfect for cozying up to view the Northern Lights, Mother Nature's version of "Netflix and Chill."

Photo Credit: triplefivedrew via flickr.com

Harbin Ice Festival - Harbin, China

The Harbin Ice Festival is one of the most impressive feats of ice-architecture on the planet, and the city is becoming a major draw for couples who wish to experience the snowy side of China. Running from early January through February, the festival showcases incredible ice structures and provides a surreal setting for couples looking to escape everyday life.

Photo Credit: Christopher Hauser via http://www.icehotel.com/

ICEHOTEL - Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Sweden's ICEHOTEL was one of the first of its kind, and includes an incredible ice chapel -- rebuilt every year in new form. Even if nuptials aren't in the cards, the ICEHOTEL offers plenty of options for cold-weather fun, such as dog sledding, ice sculpting, and for adventure lovers, a winter wilderness survival course where you can learn to make a fire and navigate the forest using only signals found in nature.

Photo Credit: Iglu-Dorf via iglu-dorf.com

Iglu-Dorf Igloo Village - Zugspitze, Germany; Grandvalira, Andorra; Five Locations in Switzerland

For two decades, the igloo villages of Iglu-Dorf have been constructed out of snow and ice each winter for guests to experience the magic of the Swiss, German and Andorran alps. Each hotel-igloo is equipped with a restaurant and bar where you can dine on fondue and sip mulled wine, in addition to wellness amenities, like hot tubs overlooking the mountainside and wooden stone saunas to unwind after hitting the slopes.

Photo Credit: Lon Lovett via icecastles.com

Ice Castles - Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Midway, Utah; Lincoln, New Hampshire (USA); Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)

If you're looking for a romantic evening activity this winter, check out the Ice Castles in Utah, Minnesota, New Hampshire, or Edmonton, Alberta. An event that rotates cities every year, this amazing feat of ice engineering use up to 10,000 icicles each day to keep the structures strong, each weighing approximately 25 million pounds. At night, the ice castles are illuminated in lights, creating a magical scene that's perfect for a marriage proposal -- or perhaps just an above-average makeout session.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Jansen via flickr.com

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel - Alta, Norway

Situated next to Norway's gorgeous Alta River, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is the ideal getaway for couples who want to test the heat of their passion against subzero temps. You'll stay warm with the help of natural reindeer hides and boozy beverages served in glasses made of ice. Romantic activities like Northern Lights hunts and reindeer sledding with the a local Sami family add culture and mystique to the trip, as does the ethereal ice chapel if you plan on making big moves.


Lake Louise Ice Castle - Banff, Alberta, Canada

Deep in the heart of Banff National Park surrounded by the picturesque Canadian Rockies sits spectacular Lake Louise. During the winter, the UNESCO World Heritage Site freezes over with a thick sheet of ice, creating an extraordinary natural skating rink. To enhance the area's beauty, an ice castle is constructed each year by the team at the Fairmont Chateau, which sits adjacent to the lake. If you're a couple with coordination, there's no better backdrop to show off your moves.