Real snow igloos

Make your stay extra n-ice!

The Lapland dream doesn’t get much cooler than this. Quite literally. Or more real. In your very own private igloo, you'll feel closer to nature than you ever thought possible in Lapland, while still ensuring your visit to the region is both enjoyable and comfortable. 

Our igloos – actually made from snow – are rebuilt every year as we approach winter, so your once-in-a-lifetime residence will always be freshly renovated to ensure a unique and cosy stay. You’ll get to experience these authentic structures just like the Sami people did for more than 10,000 years, as our snow igloos replicate their traditional homes in shape, size and style. While bunking in your cosy little ice palace, you’ll get a fascinating insight into how nomadic people once lived while taking in the breathtaking scenery in the most immersive way imaginable. Spending one night truly is a must for your Lapland holiday! 

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that an igloo stay means a test of endurance in the cold. These exclusive shelters are designed to keep you warm, with the temperature inside hovering around a cool 0°C. Inside the dome-ciles, you’ll keep toasty, wrapped up in thermals and sleeping bags, snuggled atop reindeer hides all night long. 

If the nomadic lifestyle fascinates you and you’re curious to get more up close and personal with your surroundings, then sleeping in a private, glistening igloo should absolutely be included on your Lapland holiday itinerary. This extraordinary experience is available as an optional excursion on several of our tours inside the Arctic Circle, including our Santa holidays and Arctic Spirit breaks.

Enjoy this experience as part of these tours

One of the world's coolest places to stay

But of course, sleeping out in the snow is not a new idea, by any means. Sami people have been living this way for centuries, and generously share their stories and traditions with guests on some of our specially provided tours. In traditional tents, by a manmade fire, the Sami people explain how reindeer herders needed to travel vast distances and build temporary shelter quickly. With lumber in very short supply, an igloo provided the solution.

And thanks to that ingenuity, the dome is a very strong structure and can protect against the elements. Although it is made of snow, igloos are surprisingly warm and comfortable inside. Back in the 1980s, Swede Yngve Bergqvist developed the concept for a hotel built of ice to highlight this indigenous way of life, its traditions and culture. The idea was also to reinforce the beauty of the natural environment and surroundings. Originally an art gallery, today his ICEHOTEL attracts up to 50,000 people every winter. As a result, sleeping in an igloo or visiting the ICEHOTEL has become a must on Lapland holiday itineraries. 

Instead of the Four Seasons, this is more just the one season: winter. And a winter wonderland, it is indeed!

A pair of snow igloos

Top tips: How to stay in an igloo

1. Manage expectations
This is a unique place to stay, not a luxurious one. Whilst hides and an ice bed are included in your ‘room’ to keep things cosy, the decor will be simple. This is all about the experience of sleeping in an igloo. Travellers who need room service and caviar might find the igloos a little too rustic for their tastes.

2. Keep the layers light
It may feel like the wrong thing to do, but layering up won’t keep you warm. Wearing too much means you could overheat in your sleep and work up a sweat, which will then cool and make you damp. So keep your layers light with high-quality materials: think merino wool thermals. You'll be provided with a sleeping bag for Arctic use. But don't forget your warm gear too – for any toilet trips during the night. Or, as you might affectionately name it, the ig-loo.

3. Eat a good size portion at dinner
Yes, eating a warm and plentiful meal at the hotel beforehand will ensure your body has the fuel it needs to keep warm. And it’s rare you get not only an excuse to indulge as much as possible on holiday, but instead are officially advised to!

A couple snuggling together in a snow igloos

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