These photos were published on the Instagram page of Irkutsk Department of Emergencies with an ironic caption of “For the lovers of Baikal ice”. The unfortunate drivers have obviously overestimated the strength of the lake during the winter.

We all know that when winter comes, it hides away everything we have been used to and creates a wonderful new world of snow and ice, making us think we are in some kind of a magic realm. These pictures show just how much a single season of the year can transform familiar views and landscapes.

Icehotel 365 is situated in Jukkasjärvi, in Swedish Lapland. Due to the special cooling technology, which is solar-powered, the hotel doesn’t melt in the spring nor in the summer. The first ice structure was built back in 1989. Today Icehotel 365 doesn’t only have rooms or suites, inside you can also find an ice church, a cocktail lounge, and even a sauna. Indoor temperature is -5C all year round. The beds are made of ice but are covered with reindeer skins, and guest are given thermal sleeping bags. Icehotel 365 has a number of themed rooms called Art Suites. In each of them you can admire the stunning statues carved out of ice.