Glass igloo is comfortable warm accommodation, with panorama sky view, specially designed to see the Northern Lights.
There are more then 25 glass igloo resorts in Finland now. All of them has optimal location to see the Aurora. Some of them are luxury resorts, while other are low-price options with limited facilities. Some has wide range of Lapland activities available on side, white other are hidden in the wilderness.
Here is our step by step glass igloo guide to explore the best options for Northern lights holidays in Finland.
Classical glass igloo is a little round-shape glass dome completely built from insulated thermal glass. The roof is electrically heated to prevent icing. Roof stays snow and ice free to provide perfect view to the sky.
They are quite small, 18-23 sq.m..
On this compact area there are usually 2 separate beds, possible to make as double bed. Beds can be motorised, allowing to adjust comfortable position if there are Northern Lights overhead and you want to stay at your bed. Some chairs and table available.
Usually igloos are for 2 persons, but extra beds also can be provided.
Classical igloos has wc at least. Shared showers and saunas at separate service building, with separate facilities for men and women. Other has little shower inside the igloo making it much more comfortable in winter nights and chilly mornings. Check what kind of basic facilities are at the igloo you are going to book not to be surprised when you check in.
Some variations have also kitchenette with water kettle, coffee-maker, fridge and maybe electric plate.
If breakfast included into the standard Igloo, it may be packed and left at the igloos fridge.
Also family variations of igloos are available for 4 persons at some resorts like Kakslauttanen and it is upgraded with shower.
This type of igloo accommodation recently appeared as demand is growing and it is not as classical igloos, but the idea if the same – as much glass as possible, open sky and panorama views, and adorable location.
Luxury glass igloos may have different size and shapes. Some of them have 2 levels with glass roof on upped floor.
All facilities like wc and shower are inside. Private sauna also included as real Finnish experience. Little kitchenette has its place inside the igloo/apartment.
Outdoors hot tube-whirlpool as an extra piece of luxury at SnowMan World Glass resort apartments. Just imagine going outside after Finnish sauna, relaxing at warm whirlpool while watching the starry sky.
There is also unique option "2 in 1" – Kelo-Glass igloo at Kakslauttanen. It combines Lapland Kelo-log cabin with fireplace, sauna, kitchen, wc and shower as well as bedroom with glass dome shaped as real classical glass igloo.
There are also something in between classical igloos and luxury options - so-called Aurora cabins.
It is a kind of combination: little cabin with glass roof above the bed or a cubic shaped room with glass wall or glass corner.
As a standard they have wc, shower inside. Little kitchenette or tea-coffee facilities might be included and of course bed on the best possible place to see the scenery and sky.
As you might probably know, glass igloos are quite expensive, because mainly price is not for accommodation, but for experience and adventure.
If you are on a budget, there are still many options to try this unusual way of spending nights under the stars and open sky.
For example, Olokolo mobile sleeping nest in Kemi or Lake Inari Mobile Cabins
Olokolo in Kemi is very tiny. You can only sit there or sleep. Toilets, showers and locker rooms are in the main building (open 24 hours). Nevertheless travellers call in as coolest place to stay in pod with transparent roof.
Another option is Lake Inari mobile cabin. Cabins can be moved to the best places on the lake to see Northern lights. It is equipped with little toilet, heating, kettle. Electricity available while cabin is parked at base camp.
Showers, toilets, lounge, kitchen, wifi are available at base camp (shared).
Those above are mobile, can be moved somewhere on the lake if weather allows - unforgettable experience.
Another low-cost option, but still unique and comfortable, is Aurora Dome Torassieppi
It is lakeside dome, very similar with traditional designed igloos. It has wood burning stove to create some romantic and warmth. Shared sauna and washroom facilities available 50 metres away from Aurora Domes.
This kind of igloos are most suited for 1-2 nights because of the limited facilities inside. But if you are experience wilderness traveller, you can spend more time there.
Although those igloo options are very simple, they are located at some places or resorts with wide range of activities available. So igloo itself is not the main reason why you should come there.
Do not be afraid of Lapland extremely low temperatures during winter inside a glass igloo. It is as warm as normal hotel room. Majority of igloos are electrically heated and keep comfortable warmth inside. Mobile options has sleeping bags and furs.
Glass igloos also designed with privacy keeping in mind. Some of them equipped with curtains, other with “frozen glass” and all of them usually facing some open space to provide amazing views.
Usually Igloo has a small wc, some also have shower. Luxury Igloos might have bathroom, kitchenette, and even private sauna.
Classical igloos fitted for 2 (max 4) persons. But it is possible also to stay in more comfortable and spacious glass lodge with up to 6 sleeps (Kelo-Glass igloos Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, for example).
Nowadays Glass Igloos are incredibly popular in Finland. New Igloo appear every year with glass cabins in many sizes, shapes and design.
Finnish Lapland is the main destination where Igloos are concentrated.
The main 2 areas where are the majority of igloos are located: Rovaniemi and Saariselka/Ivalo/Inari area.
First was Kakslauttanen Igloo resort and as it became very popular, the resort has built another part of it and now there are East village and West (new) Village.
As soon as this destination became very popular among travellers, some other igloo resorts have been built recently:
Another place is Rovaniemi, of course. Due to Santa Village, Polar Circle it is the world known place and main place to visit in Lapland during Christmas and New year time.
There are following igloo resorts located:
Then comes Levi winter resort with classic Golden Crown Levin Iglut top of the fell and 360 panorama view. The location is one of a kind.
Glass igloo resorts at Levi:
2 new glass igloo resorts were opened in 2018 in Finnish Lapland!
Both are located near Pyhätunturi resort and next to Pyhä-Luosto National Park (125 km from Rovaniemi airport). Pyhä is suitable for both Lapland weekend getaway and longer holidays. Lapland activities like snowmobile safaris, husky rides, guided Aurora tours, reindeer farm visits can be easily arranged in one place.
All those places offer much more then just igloo stays. You can choose one of them with more easier transport accessibility for you and be sure to find all kind of Lapland activities there.
Next coming other igloo destinations. There are mainly 1 igloo resort for the area, but still possibility to have some of the Lapland activities around and interesting places to visit:
All igloo resorts has similar or equal possibilities to see the Northern Lights.
There are other factors then location within Finland matter to see the Aurora.
Igloo resort might be in the middle of nowhere. So be prepared to take some food, wine, books or pc with films, etc before you check in not to be disappointed during the evening time and night.
Remember, you are on an adventure and be ready to expect some thing a little different than the usual hotel.
Glass igloo prices differ considerably. It may be from 150€/night for simple Aurora dome or Mobile cabin with shared facilities to up 690€/night for Luxury glass Igloo.
Main factors affect the price:
Chances to see the Aurora are the same whatever igloo resort you choose.
There are more factors affect the opportunity to see it and well-done planning will help you.
Read more about Northern Lights in Lapland and some tools helping with it HERE > > >.
Seeing the Northern Lights is not in your control. Be sure that you are in one of the best places to see it. Just plan to have Northern lights as 1 of the activities at your Lapland list (not the first) not to be disappointed if you do not see it.