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 20-year 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 media@iglu-dorf.com; 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 .