01 About Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
Two iconic experiences in one: 39 glass igloos with adjustable beds and 360° aurora views, plus Finland's largest snow hotel rebuilt each winter. Ice Restaurant, three restaurants, free breakfast and aurora alarm included. Located 30 min from Rovaniemi on Lake Lehtojärvi.
On-site you have three restaurants: the lakeside Kota Restaurant serving traditional Lappish dishes, the Ice Restaurant open December–March (dinner surrounded by ice sculptures), and a Log Restaurant for breakfast. The breakfast buffet is included in all igloo rates and consistently praised. The Ice Bar is worth a visit even if you are not staying in the snow hotel.
Activities directly on site: snowshoe hiking, ice sculpting sessions (the only place in Rovaniemi offering this from September), ice fishing, electric snowmobile safaris, reindeer feeding, tobogganing and snow tubing - the latter two free for overnight guests. Finnish sauna is included; snow sauna and outdoor jacuzzi on Lake Lehtojärvi are available for an extra fee.
The resort is located 27-30 km from central Rovaniemi along Lake Lehtojärvi. There is no public transport - a hotel shuttle runs for €17 per person each way, or self-drive is the more flexible option. Aurora alarm service is free and genuine: staff monitor conditions and wake you when the lights appear.
The adjustable electric beds are a genuine feature - use the remote to tilt the bed upright for optimal aurora watching without leaving the warmth. For aurora odds, book September-October (dark skies, lower prices) rather than peak December-February when artificial lighting from resort activity is at its worst. Ask for an igloo furthest from the main road.
02 Photos
03 Accommodation
Glass Igloo (couples, 360° roof, adjustable electric beds, private bathroom); Glass Igloo Family (larger, 2-3 guests); SnowHotel Room (0 to -5°C, sleeping bags + reindeer fur, shared facilities)
All glass igloos include a private bathroom with shower, heated floors, free WiFi, kettle, mini-fridge, hairdryer and Aurora Alarm. The electrically adjustable bed lets you tilt to any angle with a remote - a unique feature not found in most igloo resorts.
04 Price Guide
Usually includes
- Buffet breakfast
- free WiFi
- free parking
- sauna access
- SnowHotel entry (Dec-Mar)
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
The combination of glass igloos and SnowHotel on one site. Adjustable electric beds that tilt for aurora watching. Generous breakfast buffet, friendly staff, and the free aurora alarm. Ice Restaurant and Ice Bar are consistently praised as highlights.
Worth knowing
Light pollution is a real issue here: vehicles, resort machinery and nearby igloo lighting can disrupt aurora viewing. Igloos are clustered along a service road rather than in isolated wilderness. Rooms are compact. The SnowHotel is only recommended for one night due to sleeping in sub-zero temperatures.
Best approach
One or two nights works well. Spend the first evening exploring the SnowHotel, Ice Bar and Kota Restaurant; save the second night for aurora watching. Book September-October for lower prices and less resort activity at night - aurora conditions are equally good.
06 Glass Igloo Score™
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos is the only place in Rovaniemi where you can sleep in a glass igloo one night and a hand-carved snow room the next - two bucket-list experiences on one site. The adjustable electric beds in the igloos are a genuinely clever aurora-watching feature you will not find elsewhere. Three restaurants including an Ice Restaurant and free breakfast make this one of the most complete igloo resorts in Finland.
Located on the Arctic Circle (66°N), not as far north as Saariselkä resorts. The site has a real light-pollution issue: vehicles, machinery floodlights and neighbouring igloos can disrupt viewing. Aurora alarm is free and responsive - staff will wake you. Best aurora odds in September-October when resort traffic is lower.
Beautiful lakeside setting on Lake Lehtojärvi, surrounded by pine forest. The downside: 27-30 km from Rovaniemi with no public transport and paid shuttle transfers. Self-drive recommended. The lake and forest make for great morning walks and photography.
Glass igloos are warm, clean and well-equipped with private bathroom, kettle, fridge and hairdryer. The standout feature is the electrically adjustable bed - tilt it to any angle with a remote. Rooms are compact; not ideal if you pack heavily. The low entry door catches taller guests off-guard.
Three restaurants is exceptional for a remote igloo resort. Kota Restaurant serves solid Finnish cuisine (reindeer, salmon) in a traditional log kota. The Ice Restaurant (Dec-Mar) is a once-in-a-lifetime dinner setting. Breakfast buffet is generous and consistently praised. Ice Bar is a fun addition.
Family igloos accommodate 3-4. On-site reindeer enclosure, tobogganing, snow tubes and ice sledging are free. Ice sculpting sessions available from September. Children of all ages welcome. One of the better family-oriented igloo resorts in Rovaniemi.
An Ice Chapel on site hosts actual weddings - hard to beat for romance factor. The Ice Bar experience and lakeside sauna add to the atmosphere. However, igloos are clustered together with little privacy between units and road traffic passes nearby, which softens the intimate wilderness feel.
The igloos are positioned along a service road and relatively close to each other. Neighbouring igloo lights and vehicle movement are visible through the 360° glass. Guests seeking true dark-sky isolation should look at Saariselkä options instead. Best privacy in igloos furthest from the main building.
From €299/night with breakfast included and free SnowHotel entry (Dec-Mar), the base price is competitive for Rovaniemi. Pre-packaged excursion bundles (Santa Claus Village transfers, snowshoe tours) have been flagged by guests as overpriced - book activities separately or directly.
07 Good to Know
Check-in / Check-out
Check-in: from 15:00
Check-out: by 11:30
Open Season
Glass Igloos: September 1 - April. SnowHotel & Ice Restaurant: December 15 - March 31
Getting There
35 km from Rovaniemi Airport (RVN), approx. 30 min by car
Transfer: Hotel shuttle available on request, approx. €17/person one way
Practical Info
No public transport - hotel shuttle costs €17/person each way from Rovaniemi center or airport. Bring an eye mask for summer/spring stays (no curtains). The glass igloo doors are very low - mind your head. Snow sauna and outdoor jacuzzi cost extra. SnowHotel is rebuilt every year from October - expect some construction noise in November.
08 Location
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos is located on the shore of Lake Lehtojärvi in Sinettä, Finland, approximately 27-30 km from central Rovaniemi. Address: Lehtoahontie 27 97220.
The lakeside setting in the pine forest means naturally dark skies compared to central Rovaniemi, though resort activity creates some light pollution at night. No public transport connects to the site - a hotel shuttle or rental car is needed.
09 Nearby Attractions
10 FAQ
Can you see the Northern Lights from the glass igloos?
Yes - the 360-degree thermal-glass roofs are designed for sky viewing. The free Aurora Alarm wakes you when lights appear. However, this resort has more light pollution than remote wilderness properties due to vehicle and resort activity. For the best aurora odds, book in September-October when the site is quieter, and request an igloo furthest from the service road.
What is the difference between a glass igloo and a SnowHotel room?
Glass igloos are warm, modern rooms with private bathrooms, heated floors and transparent roofs. SnowHotel rooms are carved from ice and snow each winter, with temperatures between 0 and -5 degrees Celsius. You sleep in an Arctic sleeping bag on a reindeer fur. Shared bathroom facilities are in the adjacent main building. The SnowHotel is a one-night adventure; the glass igloos suit a longer stay.
Is there a shuttle from Rovaniemi?
Yes. The hotel runs a shuttle service at approximately EUR 17 per person each way from Rovaniemi city centre or Rovaniemi Airport (35 km, about 30 minutes). There is no public bus. Self-driving gives you the most flexibility for day trips to Rovaniemi and surrounding attractions.
When is Arctic SnowHotel open?
The glass igloos are open from 1 September through April, so you can stay during the early aurora season. The SnowHotel, Ice Restaurant and Ice Bar open on 15 December each year and close at the end of March. Ice sculpting activities are available from September - the only place in Rovaniemi to offer this that early.
Is the resort good for families?
Yes. There are family-sized glass igloos, a reindeer enclosure on-site, free tobogganing, snow tubes and ice sledging, plus ice sculpting for groups. Children of all ages are welcome. The breakfast buffet is well-suited to families. Santa Claus Village is about 33 km away and the hotel offers day-trip packages.
What activities are available on-site?
Free for overnight guests: tobogganing, snow tubing, ice sledging, reindeer feeding and SnowHotel entrance (December-March). For an extra fee: snow sauna, outdoor jacuzzi, snowshoe hikes, ice sculpting, ice fishing, electric snowmobile safaris (eSled - silent and emissions-free, first of their kind in the world), and guided local Finnish home visits.