Nordic winters are unlike any other, with mountains of fresh snow crunching under your feet and the Aurora Borealis lighting up the night sky. And what better way to experience them than with a cosy stay in an igloo, covered in a warm blanket and a heated sleeping bag? Here are our picks for the coolest snow winter hotels in Europe.
Icehotel – Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Icehotel
The rooms at Jukkasjärvi's Icehotel are entirely constructed of ice sculpted from the nearby Torne river and contain exquisite frozen sculptures by foreign artists. There's also an à-la-carte restaurant and a lounge with board games, perfect for a relaxing evening. For those who want to explore more of the Swedish countryside, Luossavaara mountain and ski resort are only 20 kilometres away.
Sinettä, Finland: Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos
Arctic Snow Hotel
The Arctic Snow Hotel is a secluded resort in rural Finnish Lapland with suites made completely of snow and ice. Visitors can unwind in the outdoor hot tub or snow sauna and ask for a wake-up call to witness the breathtaking Aurora Borealis. For those who want to exchange vows in a really unique setting, there is even an on-site ice chapel and bridal suite. Or, if you'd like, you can spend the night in a glass igloo under the stars. These contemporary igloos have insulated glass roofs that provide unobstructed views, so you may admire the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. You can try native pursuits like ice fishing, snowshoeing, and eating at the ice café for a truly realistic Arctic Circle experience.
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle – Rovaniemi, Finland
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle
Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi offers luxurious interiors, soft robes, and glass-roofed igloos with rain showers. You can have a leisurely breakfast in bed while admiring the arctic sky if a breakfast box is provided right in your room. You won't run out of things to do either, because places like Santa Claus Village, Arctic Golf Finland, and Ounasvaara Ski Resort are close by.
Kirkenes Snowhotel–Kirkenes, Norway
Kirkenes Snowhotel
You have a choice at Kirkenes Snowhotel between cosy wooden cottages and roomy snow suites that are modelled after traditional Sami hunting huts. Both packages come with access to the sauna as well as breakfast and dinner in the restaurant. Husky rides and snowmobiling are only two of the activities the helpful staff can arrange. In the summer, you can go hiking, fishing, and king crab rafting in the nearby countryside. Kirkenes isn't just a winter vacation.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel–Alta, Norway
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Freshly caught trout, king crab, cloudberries, game, and locally grown vegetables are served in the restaurant at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in the Norwegian coastal town of Alta. Visitors can reserve a dog sledge or snow safari tour to work off some calories, or they can just relax in the outdoor hot tub all day.
