01 About Ranua Resort Arctic Igloos
Formerly Arctic Fox Igloos. 20 glass igloos on the shore of Lake Ranuanjärvi with private sauna in every unit. One of the darkest locations for aurora viewing in Finnish Lapland. From €220/night (off-season summer offer) with breakfast included. 93 km south of Rovaniemi, next to Ranua Wildlife Park.
Each igloo is a self-contained unit with a glass bedroom area facing the lake and sky, plus a private wooden section housing a sauna, shower and kitchenette. The two-zone layout is clever: the glass panels give unobstructed sky views while the wooden part provides privacy for washing and sauna. Heated glass panels prevent frost and snow accumulation year-round. Breakfast is included in all rates and served at the igloo village restaurant.
The igloos are arranged in two rows along the lakeside: Lakeside Igloos sit directly on the shore (recommended for couples and aurora watchers), while Twin Igloos occupy the upper row slightly further back. With only 20 units total, the resort is genuinely quiet - a stark contrast to the large commercial resorts near Rovaniemi.
Activities are organised through the main Ranua Resort complex, 6 km away: snowmobile safaris, husky tours, reindeer farm visits, ice fishing and horse rides. The Ranua Wildlife Park next to the main resort is the only zoo in Finland with polar bears and is worth combining with an igloo stay.
Request a Lakeside Igloo (lower row) for direct lake views and the best aurora panorama. The resort app sends aurora notifications - keep your phone on silent with notifications enabled so you wake up when lights appear. Bring your own food supplies from Rovaniemi for the kitchenette - the restaurant is limited and sometimes closed. Ranua Wildlife Park (5 km away) is worth a half-day - the only zoo in Finland with polar bears.
02 Photos
03 Accommodation
Twin Igloo (1-2 persons, 2 single beds, upper row); Lakeside Igloo (2 adults + 2 children under 14, double bed + 2 pull-out beds, lower row by the lake). All igloos: private sauna, kitchenette (hob, fridge, microwave), private bathroom, free WiFi
Every igloo is a fully standalone unit with heated glass roof panels that prevent frost and snow accumulation year-round. The bedroom area with panoramic glass faces the lake; the private wooden section contains the sauna, shower and kitchenette. Bed linens, towels and final cleaning are included in all rates.
04 Price Guide
Usually includes
- Breakfast
- bed linens
- towels
- final cleaning
- private sauna
- free WiFi
- free parking
Prices vary strongly by date, igloo category and availability. Check current rates before publishing a fixed price. Pre-packaged activity bundles are often better value when booked separately.
Check Live Prices →05 Review Highlights
Guests love
Private in-igloo sauna, complete darkness for aurora viewing, lake views and genuine quietness. Multiple guests report seeing Northern Lights directly from bed. Breakfast is consistently praised. Staff are friendly and helpful. One of the best value glass igloo stays in Finland.
Worth knowing
No daily housekeeping - request it separately. Sauna instructions are not given on arrival - ask reception. Kitchen is small and better for reheating than cooking. Igloos are 3-4 metres apart so some feel less private than expected. Twin Igloos in upper row partially face other igloos rather than the lake. Restaurant food is average and may be closed in low season.
Best approach
One or two nights works perfectly. Combine with a stay at the main Ranua Resort complex for a full Lapland experience. A rental car is strongly recommended - the resort is 93 km from Rovaniemi and gives you access to Ranua Wildlife Park, Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi for day trips.
06 Glass Igloo Score™
Ranua Resort Arctic Igloos delivers the purest glass igloo experience in Finland at the fairest price. No light pollution, no crowds, private sauna in every unit, genuine lake wilderness - and rates from €220/night (August) with breakfast. If your goal is watching the Northern Lights from a warm bed in total silence, this is the most honest version of that dream available in Finnish Lapland. The trade-off is distance from Rovaniemi, but for travellers with a rental car, it is a compelling alternative to the expensive resorts near the city.
No street lights, no resort machinery noise, open lake panorama - some of the darkest skies available in Finnish Lapland. Multiple guests report seeing auroras directly from bed. The resort app sends push notifications when lights appear. Location at 66.1 degrees N is not as far north as Saariselka, but the lack of light pollution compensates significantly.
Beautiful and genuinely remote lakeside setting, but 93 km from Rovaniemi Airport - about 1 h 15 min by car or €180 by taxi. A public bus runs 3-4 times daily from Rovaniemi for €18 one way. The isolation is a feature for aurora hunters and those wanting real wilderness, but a drawback for city day-trips. Ranua Wildlife Park is 5 km away.
Private sauna in every igloo is a genuine differentiator - rare even in Finland. Igloos are warm, clean and comfortable. Kitchenette allows self-catering. The wooden section gives real privacy for bathroom and sauna. Downside: rooms are compact, kitchen is small, and no daily housekeeping (on request only).
Breakfast is good and filling. The igloo village restaurant serves dinner in winter season, but quality is consistently rated as average - functional rather than memorable. Restaurant may be closed in low season. The mandatory half-board supplement in November-March (€52/adult) adds cost whether you use it or not. Bring groceries from Rovaniemi for the kitchenette if staying multiple nights.
Lakeside Igloos accommodate 2 adults and 2 children under 14. The quiet, car-free lakeside setting is safe for children. Ranua Wildlife Park (polar bears, wolverines, reindeer) is 5 km away and excellent for families. Activities at the main resort cover all ages. The remoteness requires a car with young children.
Booking.com couples rating of 9.2 - the highest of any metric. Dark skies, private sauna, lake view, genuine silence and 20 total igloos means no crowds. One of the best value romantic igloo stays in Finland. The Lakeside Igloos facing the lake at night with aurora overhead is exactly what the dream looks like.
Only 20 igloos total - far less crowded than Rovaniemi resorts. Each igloo is a fully standalone unit. The gap between igloos is only 3-4 metres, which some guests note as less private than expected, and some Twin Igloos face other igloos rather than the lake. Lakeside units have better natural privacy from the open lake view.
From €220/night (August) including breakfast and private sauna, this is one of the best-value glass igloo stays in Finland. Compare to €600+/night at Apukka or €400+/night at most Rovaniemi resorts for the same core experience. The trade-off is distance from Rovaniemi and limited dining options. For aurora-focused travellers who have a car, the value is exceptional.
07 Good to Know
Check-in / Check-out
Check-in: from 15:00
Check-out: by 11:00
Open Season
Year-round (glass igloos). Restaurant at igloo village: winter season. Dinner mandatory Nov-Mar at extra charge
Getting There
93 km from Rovaniemi Airport (RVN), approx. 1 h 15 min by car
Transfer: Airport transfer available on request (surcharge, approx. €180 for 1-4 persons). Public bus Rovaniemi-Ranua 3-4x daily, approx. 75 min, €18 one way
Practical Info
No daily housekeeping - cleaning is on request only. Nobody explains the sauna on arrival - ask reception for instructions. Kitchenette is small, better for reheating than cooking. Restaurant at igloo village may be closed in low season - check before arrival. Lakeside Igloos face the lake directly; Twin Igloos in the upper row have slightly less direct lake views. No pets allowed.
08 Location
Ranua Resort Arctic Igloos is located on the shore of Lake Ranuanjärvi in Ranua, Finland, approximately 93 km south of Rovaniemi. Address: 5 Leirintäalueentie 97700.
The igloo village is a separate location from the main Ranua Resort complex, about 6 km away. The site sits in complete darkness away from any street lighting - ideal for aurora viewing. The main resort, with husky and snowmobile activities and Ranua Wildlife Park, is a short drive away. Transfer between the two locations is organised by the hotel.
09 Nearby Attractions
10 FAQ
Can you see the Northern Lights from Ranua Resort Arctic Igloos?
Yes - the igloos sit on the shore of Lake Ranuanjärvi with no street lights anywhere nearby, making this one of the darkest locations for aurora viewing in Finnish Lapland. The glass roof gives a panoramic sky view directly above the bed. Multiple guests have seen the Northern Lights from bed without leaving the warmth. A resort app sends push notifications when lights appear.
What is the difference between Twin Igloos and Lakeside Igloos?
Twin Igloos (upper row) have two single beds and are designed for 1-2 persons. They sit slightly further back from the lake. Lakeside Igloos (lower row) sit directly on the lake shore with the most direct water and sky views - these are better for couples and aurora watching. Lakeside Igloos also accommodate up to 2 adults and 2 children under 14 with a double bed and two pull-out singles. Both types include a private sauna, kitchenette and bathroom.
Is the resort far from Rovaniemi?
Yes - the resort is 93 km south of Rovaniemi, about 1 hour 15 minutes by car. This distance is the main trade-off for the exceptional darkness and lake setting. A rental car is strongly recommended. A public bus runs 3-4 times daily from Rovaniemi for around EUR 18 one way. Airport transfer is available on request at extra charge.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, breakfast is included in all igloo rates and served at the igloo village restaurant. Guests rate it as good and filling. Note that in winter (November to March) a dinner supplement is mandatory at EUR 52 per adult - this is charged separately and covers dinner at the igloo village restaurant.
What activities are available near the resort?
Activities are organised through the main Ranua Resort complex 6 km away: snowmobile safaris, husky tours, reindeer farm visits, ice fishing and horse rides. Ranua Wildlife Park is next to the main resort and is one of the best zoos in Finland - the only one with polar bears. Transfer between the igloo village and the main resort is provided by the hotel.
Is Ranua Resort Arctic Igloos good for families?
Yes. Lakeside Igloos accommodate 2 adults and 2 children under 14. The quiet, traffic-free lakeside setting is safe and relaxed. Ranua Wildlife Park (polar bears, wolverines, lynx, reindeer) is a highlight for children. Activities at the main resort cover all ages. A car is essential with young children given the distance from Rovaniemi.