Icy Hot Spots

From hotels made of solid ice to Hollywood's winter retreat, Forbes and Travel Channel give you ways to heat up the winter.

Ever had the urge to speed skate down a bobsled track?

Each winter 100,000 spectators cram the steep, 400-year-old center of Quebec City to witness four athletes do just that during the bruising Red Bull Crashed Ice race.

The full-contact spectacle, a combination of downhill skiing, roller derby and hockey, has no rules. Heavily padded racers lace up their skates and barrel down the icy track as it winds through the old town. The winner gets $5,000, plus bragging rights during the all-night party that consumes the city that night.

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The race, along with its posh old-world style hotels, gourmet restaurants and a wild nightlife, helps make Canada's Quebec City the planet's hottest winter destination.

Forbes teamed up with the Travel Channel to create a list of the world's Icy Hot Spots. Quebec City and 10 other famous frozen venues will be featured on an episode of Forbes Luxe 11, which debuts on the Travel Channel and Travel Channel HD Sat., Nov. 21 at 10 p.m. ET.

Image: Icehotel, Sweden

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