World record attempt in classic igloo construction
As a fitting way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the igloo villages, Iglu-Dorf GmbH is
launching an unusual project. It is attempting to break the world record in classic igloo
construction. The largest ice igloo in the world will have a diameter of 13 m and an
internal height of 10.5 m. It will be built in January 2016 at a height of 2,727 m above sea
level, next to the traditional igloo village in Zermatt, Switzerland. It’s a crazy project –
that much is already clear!
Facts and interesting background information
Location of the world record attempt: Rotenboden, Gornergrat ski resort, 3920 Zermatt,
Switzerland
Construction time: Sunday 10. – 29. January 2016
Celebratory VIP opening ceremony: Saturday 30 January 2016
Opening ceremony for daytime visitors, with DJ: Sunday 31 January 2016
Opening times: Every day from 31 January 2016, 10 am until 5 pm.
The new world record being attempted: Diameter 13 m, internal height 10.5 m, external
diameter 19 m, external height 11.5 m.
Existing record: Held by the ZipZag company; igloo completed in Canada on 19 February
2011.
Diameter 9.2 m, internal height 5.3 m.
How will the record-breaking igloo be constructed?
The snow is compacted by a piste basher. A chainsaw is then used to cut the snow into
bricks. Row upon row of these are built up to form the igloo. Scaffolding will of course be
required for this once a certain height is exceeded.
How many snow bricks are required for construction? Approximately 1,400
How big are the snow bricks? 40 x 60 x 20 cm (height x width x depth)
Weight per block: 35 - 40 kilo
How many people will be constructing the record-breaking igloo? 12–18 people
How many days will construction take? 11 days
How many hours will construction take? Approximately 2,000 hours
Is the last brick really the most difficult part of building a classic igloo?
No, it isn’t. As is so often the case, it all relies on good prior planning and having exact
measurements of the building site. The most important thing is the bottom row because it
forms the basis for the rest of the igloo.
What happens if the last brick doesn’t fit?
It’s not a problem because each of these bricks is sawn to fit the exact dimensions anyway.
What about issues with statics and safety?
The shape was calculated by Pierre Dalban from a company called GEOTEST, using
Richard L Handy’s “The Igloo and the Natural Bridge as Ultimate Structures” as a basis.
GPS signals are sent from the top of the igloo to BSF Swissphoto, a company based in
Regensdorf that is tasked with monitoring the height of the igloo. Support for this task is
provided by Planax, a company from Zermatt. The record-breaking igloo would be closed
immediately if it were to pose a risk.
A place in the Guinness Book of Records
An adjudicator from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ will be present on 30 January 2016
and will confirm that the igloo breaks the world record.
Ice and snow artists
Once construction is complete (having hopefully reached the planned height), ice and
snow artists will decorate the inside of the record-breaking igloo, creating a beautiful ice
lounge with snow art on the walls – a sight for everyone to marvel at. The igloo will remain
in place throughout the whole of the winter season and it will be open to the public. It will
also be possible to book the igloo as an event space.
Construction Management: Adrian Günter, founder of the Igloo Villages
It goes without saying that attempting to break a world record calls for extremely
competent igloo builders. For that reason, it is initiator and founder of Iglu-Dorf GmbH
Adrian Günter who is taking personal responsibility for implementing this unique project.
He will lead the first of two teams of five. The second team will be led by former CEO of the
Igloo Village Zermatt, Reto Gilli. With all this expert knowledge in tow, it should be
possible to break the world record!
Additional world record attempt from our main partner, Volvo
It is also hoped that attempting to break the record in classic igloo construction will
simultaneously result in the creation of the world’s highest showroom – Volvo will use the
space to exhibit the new XC 90. The transportation by helicopter of the car that is being
exhibited will be a logistical masterpiece in its own right – and it is sure to provide some
exciting moments.
Opening times and anniversary exhibition
The record-breaking igloo is open for visitors every day from 31 January 2016, 10 am until
5 pm. There will also be an informative exhibition about the Igloo Villages and their 20year history, as well as a documentary about the exciting attempt to break the world
record.
About the Igloo Villages
For 20 years, Iglu-Dorf GmbH has been building hotels made of snow and ice. There are
now seven locations that become home to cool snow palaces each winter. These glorious
mountainous settings are in Davos-Klosters, Gstaad, Engelberg, Stockhorn and Zermatt in
Switzerland, on the Zugspitze mountain in Germany and in Andorra in the Pyrenees. The
hotels are the result of around 3,000 hours of work and 2,000 tonnes of snow. They are
adorned with breath-taking artwork and ice sculptures.
Igloo guests can experience an exceptional feeling of wellbeing, either looking up on a
starry sky from a hot tub or enjoying a sauna among the snow and ice. Each year, more
than 10,000 guests stay overnight in the Igloo Villages. Daytime visitors take in a
wonderful view while enjoying a delicious cheese fondue or homemade mulled wine. The
Igloo Villages can also provide an ideal, unusual venue, whether for private events or
corporate events for customers and employees.
Our world record partners
Those involved in our attempt to break the world record include mountain cog railway
companies Gornergrat Bahn and Zermatt Bergbahnen AG – as well as our main partner,
Volvo. They generously support us with the transportation of the required materials and
with the manpower that this enterprise requires.
Supplier:
Alpin Cargo, AS Gerüste AG, BSF Swissphoto, Burgergemeinde Zermatt , Geotest AG,
Maiergrill AG, Planax, Air Zermatt AG
Image link: http://www.iglu-dorf.com/de/pressebilder-weltrekord
For more information and pictures
Géraldine Pucken
Media Relations
Iglu-Dorf GmbH
Rotzbergstrasse 15
CH-6362 Stansstad
M +41 78 885 89 23
[email protected]; www.iglu-dorf.com
Impressions:
The first row is ready, therefore 64 blocks have been used.
The Weltrekordiglu gets higher and higher .
The 1000th snow block was set on the 18 January .