Since visiting Norway with our kids a few years ago, we have become slightly addicted to watching Scandi-Noir films and dreaming of a wintry adventure deep in the snowy tundra of the Arctic. Here’s six magical places that you can take the kids to stay in Glass Igloos in Finland.
Enlarge
Why Finland?
Finland is one of those countries that doesn’t really get a huge amount of attention and we cannot figure out why?
With winter lasting up to seven months, Finland, like Canada, is a place of extreme cold but it’s also a playground for lovers of all things snow. Here’s 13 reasons why you should visit Finland with kids in the winter and potentially stay in Glass Igloos in Finland.
- There aren’t many places around the world where you can sleep in a glass igloo but Finland has six to choose from.
- Finland is a true nature-lover’s paradise. Much of Finland is pristine containing forty national parks.
- Finland & Lapland is regarded as the official home of Father Christmas or Santa Claus.
- Much of Finland is remote so if you’re looking for peace and quiet you’ll find it at one of the hundreds of thousands of serene places & lake cottages that are dotted around Finland.
- FInland is considerd a veery safe country and kids are given the freedom to roam and play in the snow. Cozy fires in the evenings and plenty of time outside will make Finland a spectacular country that your family will never forget.
- The Northern Lights are visible roughly 200 nights a year (approximately every other clear night) in Lapland. Above the Arctic Circle, in wintertime, Finland experiences polar night. During this time, the sun might not fully rise and you have a chance of seeing the lights at any hour.
- If you visit Finland in Winter, you’re sure to find 95% of the 188,000 lakes totally frozen over. The Finns walk, ski, snowmobile, husky mush, sled and snowshoe across these solid lakes.
- Taking a sauna and winter swimming are a Finnish spectacle that you must expeerience. Finnish children partake in the sauna ritual with their family from birth. After your sauna you break a hole in the ice and plung into the icy water.
- If you’re looking for something totally unique, go stock car ice racing. Yup, they race stock cars on the ice.
- You must cross the Arctic Circle a few times, just for the photo opportunity.
- Take a snow shoe hike through the forest where your only source of light is the moon, stars and the reflective glow of the white Lapland snow.
- Does the thought of floating on an ice-cold lake in an insulating wetsuit fill you with as much excitement as it does me? Ice floating is exciting for all ages although you must be able to swim.
- Ice climbing is also an option as there are plenty of icefalls for wild climbers.
Enlarge
What Temperatures Can You Expect In Finnish Winter?
If you fancy staying in a Glass Igloo in Finland you need to be prepared for the weather! These are the temperatures that you can expect.
- November: Temperatures in Lapland have already plummeted and you should expect the temperature to be below 0°C.
- December: December is usually very snowy and pretty dark in the northern areas. Temperatures range from -5°C to -15°C.
- January: Bleak midwinter January is the coldest and darkest month. You should expect temperatures to be between -15°C to -25°C.
- February: The days will be getting slightly longer and lighter but temperatures still range from -15°C to -25°C.
- March: Getting warmer but spring is not visible yet. Expect to still have a temperature range of -3°C to -6°C. Northern lights may be visible.
- April: You’ll be seeing the first glimpses of spring in April and temperatures should rise above 0°C. You might not see any northern lights though.
Enlarge
Where Are These Six Glass Igloos in Finland?
These igloos are dotted around Finland. What you must remember is the further north you go the darker it becomes. The closer to Helsinki you are the more likely you’ll have roughly five hours of daylight per day.
Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos
Muotka is located in Saariselkä in the far, north-eastern extremities of Finland where you’re guaranteed 200 nights of aurora borealis!
You have a choice of where to stay here as Muotka offers the aurora cabins (glass igloos), log cabins & hotel suites and all come with saunas. If you stay in the aurora cabins you’ll have your own personal glass-dome ceiling where you can lie in bed and watch the northern lights. Don’t worry about sleeping through them though as the hotel offers an aurora alarm to wake you up.
With an enormous complimentary breakfast, you can spend your days skiing, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, hiking, learning about local culture and more. The family-friendly restaurant offers lunches and evening meals, alongside free wifi and parking and free all-day coffee.
See More Photos & Book Your Stay At Muotka Here
Enlarge
Enlarge
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Igloos and Chalets
10 minutes south of Muotka, Kakslauttanen is a bigger resort and thus has more accommodation and activities than Muotka.
Surrounded by nature, Kakslauttanen offers thermal glass igloos and traditional self-catering, wooden chalets with private saunas. The resort boasts the world’s largest smoke sauna which has its own restaurant. Smoke saunas and ice swimming are a big deal here.
Other activities here include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, Nordic walking and snowshoeing, snow tank safaris and the resort has its own iceboat the Ice Breaker Sampo.
See Current Prices, More Photos & Book Your Stay At Kakslauttanen Here
Enlarge
Enlarge
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle
Santa’s Igloos offer stylish, glass-roofed igloos 5 miles from central Rovaniemi and are located at the Santa Claus Village. There is a Shuttle Bus (Santa’s Express Bus #8) connecting Santa’s Igloos, Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi City Center. There are two hotels on site as well, Hotel Rudolf is the perfect option for budget travellers where buffet breakfast and restaurant discounts are available at Hotel Santa Claus, just 600 meters away.
All igloos have a private bathroom with a rain shower and sleeping masks, bathrobes and slippers are included. Each igloo is equipped with a tablet so you can receive nightly, Northern Lights alarms. Igloos here feature three different types of glass igloo; Premium Igloos; Premium Igloos with Sauna and Premium Igloos with Alcove. Igloos can be connected to combine two igloos for a larger family or a group of friends.
Outdoor activities include guided excursions in the local forest, learning about Lappish culture, Lappish art, river boat cruises, snowmobiles and snowshoeing. One of the resorts many restaurants is the Arctic Eye which offers Lappish food with large reclined glass windows facing north where you can view the Northern lights whilst eating.
Book Your Stay At Santa’s Igloos Here
Enlarge
Enlarge
Snow Lounge Aurora Hut Glass Igloos & Ice Hotel
Snow Lounge Aurora Hut Glass Igloos & Ice Hotel is situated in Sallatunturi and it features ski-to-door access. The resort has an Ice Bar, Ice Restaurant, Ice Gallery and a Wedding chapel made entirely from local snow and ice from a nearby lake.
If you fancy sleeping in an ice room, on an ice bed, this resort has between 3 and 6 ice bedrooms which are uniquely decorated and differ every year. The glass Aurora Huts (igloos) are actually boats and during the summer months, they float around on the water with a big terrace and an electric motor so you can move freely on the lake! During winter they sit on up to 6 feet of solid ice.
Each Arctic Igloo is fully kitted out with a double bed, Bluetooth sound system, a kitchenette, toilet, water, electricity and eco-heating. During the summer months, the igloos are powered by solar and during the winter by biofuel.
Activities here include skiing and snowshoeing as the resort is just 50 yards from the Salla ski lift and 30 yards from Salla Hill.
See More Photos, Current Prices & Book Your Stay At The Aurora Huts Here
Enlarge
Enlarge
Arctic Land Adventure Glass Igloos
Located in the wilderness of Kilpisjärvi, the north-westernmost corner of Finland, Arctic Land Adventure is situated on Vasara Reindeer Ranch in the heart of Sámiland.
The secluded accommodation comprises four glass igloos and six log-built chalets and its intention is to give guests a traditional Lappish experience learning about Sami life. You’ll learn about the Reindeer Herder’s life, be part of nature and wildlife, hunt Northern Lights during the dark winter nights or experience the white Arctic nights during the summer months. There is an onsite sauna and outdoor hot-tub by the lakeside under the Arctic sky.
Other activities include meeting the reindeer, snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing but their showstopper is the Sky Dinner. A partially outdoor experience where you’re served a three-course meal with wine around a blazing fire served at the Goahti, a traditional Sami hut.
Book Your Stay At Arctic Land Here
Enlarge
Enlarge
Lomakeskus Revontuli Glass Igloos
Situated 29.8 miles from Jyväskylä, Lomakeskus Revontuli offers 5-star accommodation with a private beach area, children’s playground, sauna, bowling alley and a number of accommodation choices.
This resort offers glass igloos, a hotel, wooden cabins, the Virmas villa for large parties and a buffet breakfast daily. The surrounding nature and lakes offer plenty of outdoor activities including fat bike safaris, cross country skiing, snowboarding, kick sledges, snowshoeing and the obligatory sauna.
Every weekend the Revontuli Resort offers live music performed by famous Finnish artists and they offer a number of external local tours. The Sepän Galleria is a family-owned pottery located 15 minutes from Revontuli Resort in a former preschool building. If you’re interested in knowing more about Finnish life, you can visit localhost Noora; her family will welcome you into their house where they’ll keep you busy with building a snowman, baking cinnamon buns and cooking a traditional Finnish meal from smoked salmon and potatoes. Alternatively, visit the Hankasalmi Observatory to learn more about the Northern Lights.
Check Current Prices & Book Your Stay At Revontuli Here
Enlarge
Enlarge
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
The Arctic Snow Hotel & Igloos are located in far northern Finland above the Arctic Circle, 26km from central Rovaniemi. They offer a shuttle service but also have parking if you’re self-driving.
In total there are 39 glass igloos with 127 beds. With underfloor heating and the roof being made of electrically heated glass, you’re guaranteed a cozy stay here and a great view of the northern lights. The site also boasts an ice bar and three restaurants
If you’re staying in the igloos you also have free admission to the SnowHotel and you can also enjoy a snow sauna, outdoor jacuzzi and a log sauna located beside Lake Lehtojärvi.
Other activities here include snow sculpting, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, tobogganing and kick sledges and if you don’t have winter clothing, you can also rent the whole set (jacket, trousers, shoes, hats, gloves and wool socks) for your entire stay.
Book Your Stay At The Arctic Snow Hotel Here
Enlarge
Enlarge
These Are Out Of My Budget, What Do You Suggest
Follow our tips for a DIY holiday to wintery Finland
Here are some of our suggestions:
Fly to Finland Directly Yourself
Book Tours Such As Snowmobiling
Use this interactive map to search for other accommodation across multiple platforms
Can You Add This Post To Pinterest Please?
If you fancy staying in Glass Igloos in Finland could you please add this post to your Pinterest board? Sharing our post enables us to write more for you.
Other Relevant Posts
If you enjoyed this post on Glass Igloos in Finland, have a look at some of these posts.
