Pretty much once a month, I can be heard saying, “I wish it were Christmas.” There are few moments throughout the year that inspire the same level of wonder and magic that Christmas does. Often, I wonder how I can experience a little bit of that feeling throughout the rest of the year. So, imagine my pure joy when I discovered a year-round snow and ice hotel. Most people know you can venture north to sleep in a hotel made of ice in the winter in places like Finland, Norway, or Iceland. But I had no idea you could experience this in the midst of summer! At Snowhotel Kirkenes in Norway, every day can feel like Christmas with their ice lodges that are open 365 days a year.
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How to Get to Snowhotel Kirkenes
Snowhotel is located in the town of Bjørnevatn near Kirkenes, Norway. This is an easy, 2-hour flight from Oslo. Usually, unique hotels like this are a struggle to get to. But it’s such a breeze getting here, especially since it’s only about a 15-minute drive from the airport. The hotel offers a variety of transfers, whether you’re coming from or going to the airport or another hotel.
How Does Snowhotel Kirkenes Stay Open All Year?
Whereas typical snow/ice hotels melt in the spring and are rebuilt in the winter, Snowhotel Kirkenes is mechanically cooled. They have a permanent building with cooling systems built into the walls and ceiling. Plus, the heavy insulation keeps the heat out. This helps to keep the interior frozen no matter the season.
Snowhotel Rooms
Snow Hotel
There are 13 rooms on site, carved out of ice by hand. The temperature inside is just 24.8°F or -4°C. But don’t worry, we give all the tips on how to stay warm below!
Cabins
If sleeping on a bed of ice in a room made of ice doesn’t totally appeal to you, don’t worry! There are a number of wooden cabins you can stay in. These cabins are designed to feel like a traditional Sami hunting and fishing hut. But they are not without their modern comforts! Inside, you’ll find heating and air conditioning and a private bathroom.
We especially love that each cabin has a large window to be able to see the Northern Lights from the comfort and warmth of your room. Some of the cabins also have a view of the fjord. These ones are located a bit further out, which makes for a really quiet and peaceful stay.
How to Stay Warm
We’re sure at this point you’re starting to get excited about a stay at Snowhotel. But you’re probably wondering how you could possibly stay in a room carved out of ice and not freeze your toes off! Luckily, there is absolutely no need to worry about being too cold. For starters, when it’s time for sleep, you’ll be fully bundled up not only in clothes but also in a thermal sleeping bag. This sleeping bag is designed to trap in your body heat, keeping you from feeling the chill from the ice around you. And during the day, you can warm up inside the service building with their heated lounge, bathrooms and showers, and sauna.
Booking Tips
When to Stay
There is truly no wrong time to visit Snowhotel Kirkenes, given that their snow hotel is open all year and their summer activities are just as fun as their winter ones. But if you’re looking to see the Northern Lights, we recommend booking from September to March. For the midnight sun, book between April and July.
Booking in Advance
Because this is such a rare hotel with the opportunity to sleep in ice year-round, you’ll want to book in advance to guarantee your spot. It’s busy throughout the year. You’ll also want to lock in your stay early to start planning your activities, or to guarantee an inclusive package with activities like husky sledding or the King Crab safari.
Cost
A one-night stay starts at about 2,650 NOK (~$240) per person, though prices rise during the peak winter season, often starting at 4,200 NOK ($380) per person. In the peak winter season, this could go up to about $800-900 per night. Children under 12 are usually half price, which helps to cut down the cost. This pricing typically includes sleeping in the ice suite, the thermal bedding and sleeping bags, breakfast and dinner, access to the heated service building and amenities, and sometimes the transfers from Kirkenes.
If you just want to visit during the day, you can do so for about $31.
How Long to Stay
We recommend staying for two nights. The first night is spent getting accustomed to your space. The second day/night allows you to enjoy the nearby and on-site activities and go to bed fully comfortable with the unique surroundings. Plus, if you’re planning to go on a Northern Lights expedition or Midnight Sun hike, you’ll be up late and will want an extra night to catch up on your sleep.
Traveling with Kids
Kids are more than welcome to visit and stay at Snow Resort Kirkenes. But they do need to be at least 7 years old to sleep in the ice rooms. We think this is an exceptional place to bring kids, as it’s full of magic and fun activities year-round.
Snowhotel Kirkenes Activities
We want to go to Snowhotel Kirkenes just for the activities alone! Depending on the season, you can enjoy Midnight Sun hikes, Northern Lights chasing, King Crab safaris, husky sledding, snowmobile riding, a Sami experience, snow yoga, ice fishing, a bomb shelter visit, and bathing in the Barents Sea.
We think one of their coolest offerings is chasing the Northern Lights on a snowmobile!
Why Snowhotel is the Best Hotel to Visit Any Time of Year
This Kirkenes hotel is perfect for a family vacation, honeymoon, adventure trip, or solo expedition. It’s not just about sleeping in an ice hotel, no matter the time of year or weather outside. It’s also about the wide range of activities you can participate in, whether it’s sunny and you’re experiencing the Midnight Sun, or it’s snowing and you’re out looking for the Northern Lights.
Other Snow/Ice Hotels
There are other incredible ice hotels around the world that you can visit and sleep in during the winter. These are a few of our favorite snow and ice hotels around the world.
Arctic SnowHotel (Finland): Here you can choose to sleep in a hotel made of snow and ice, or opt for a heated glass igloo with a fantastic view of the Northern Lights.
Hôtel de Glace (Canada): This is the only ice hotel in all of North America, and it’s located in Quebec. It’s rebuilt every year and is open from January to March. They also have themed suites, an ice bar, and an ice slide!
Icehotel (Sweden): Every ice hotel is fabulous, but this one gets extra points for trendsetting. That’s right, this is the first-ever ice hotel to exist. It’s also the largest! In November and December each year, the icehotel is rebuilt by incredible ice sculptors. Here you can even get married in a ceremony hall made of ice and snow!
We truly want to visit each and every one of these ice hotels to witness the unique artwork and designs of such talented people.
If you’re looking to experience a little Christmas magic any time of year, book a stay at Snowhotel Kirkenes. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Looking for a hotel over water instead of one made of snow and ice? Check out our post on the Floathouse River Kwai.
