Kirkenes Snowhotel: Complete Guide and Review
The Kirkenes Snowhotel is one of Norway's most distinctive Arctic accommodations. Built fresh every winter from ice and snow harvested from the nearby Langfjord, it offers the unique experience of sleeping at -4°C in a room carved from ice — then warming up in the traditional log sauna and hot tub under potential northern lights.
What Is the Kirkenes Snowhotel?
The Snowhotel is part of the Snowhotel Kirkenes complex, located about 9km from Kirkenes town centre. It's rebuilt every year from scratch, with a new design and new ice sculptures in each room. The construction happens in November/December and the hotel operates from December to April, when it melts back into the fjord.
The complex also includes warm accommodation options — log cabins and glass cabins (the "Aurora Cabins") with panoramic glass roofs for northern lights viewing from your bed. Most visitors combine a single night in the ice room with the rest of their stay in warm accommodation.
Sleeping in the Ice Room
The ice rooms are kept at a constant -4°C. You sleep in a thermal sleeping bag rated to -20°C or colder, placed on top of a reindeer skin and insulating mattress on an ice bed. The experience is entirely safe — many guests report sleeping surprisingly well. You're given a briefing on how to sleep warm, what to wear (base layers, not your outdoor gear), and what to leave in the warm changing room.
Each ice room has a unique sculpted design — past themes have included Arctic wildlife, Sami mythology, and local history. The rooms are lit with coloured LED lighting that enhances the translucent ice walls. It's genuinely beautiful.
What the Ice Room Experience Actually Involves
Arrival at your ice room happens in the late afternoon. Staff walk you through the changing room (which stays heated at 15°C), where you'll remove your outdoor gear and change into base layers. The sleeping bag is pre-installed on the ice bed. You get about 1-2 hours to settle in, walk around and view the ice sculptures, and take photos before lights out around 10pm.
Breakfast happens the next morning in the main lodge — a warm room with hot food, coffee, and pastries. The ice room itself has no bathroom or facilities (you use the heated facilities in the complex). This is worth knowing if you have mobility concerns.
The temperature of -4°C might sound brutal, but the combination of the insulated mattress, reindeer skin, and modern thermal sleeping bag means your body heat stays trapped. Most guests sleep 5-8 hours without waking. That said, if you're claustrophobic or sensitive to cold, this won't be comfortable — it's a novelty experience, not standard accommodation.
Aurora Glass Cabins
The Aurora Cabins are purpose-built for northern lights viewing. Each cabin has a large slanted glass wall facing north, allowing you to watch for aurora from your warm bed without stepping outside. They're significantly more comfortable than the ice rooms and the northern lights experience is arguably better — you can watch the aurora develop over hours without freezing.
The cabins book out months in advance for January and February. If the aurora glass cabins are your priority, start planning 4-6 months ahead.
Aurora Cabin Layout and Amenities
Each cabin is a standalone unit with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and a seating area facing the glass. The glass roof is heated and treated to prevent fogging (mostly — it can still fog on the coldest nights). Cabins sleep 2-4 people depending on the model. Interior temperature is a comfortable 19-21°C.
You have full control of heating and can open the glass roof sections if you want to step outside for aurora photography. The location on the Langfjord means you have an unobstructed view of the northern sky with minimal light pollution from Kirkenes town.
Log Cabins (Warm Accommodation)
For guests who want warmth without the glass, traditional log cabins are available. These are comfortable, heated to standard room temperature, and equipped with en-suite bathrooms. They're less famous than the ice room or glass cabins, but they're perfectly functional if you want reliable comfort and plan to do outdoor northern lights hunting by snowmobile or on foot.
Activities at the Snowhotel
- Dog sledding from the hotel — kennels on site, morning or afternoon runs available
- Snowmobile safaris into the Finnmark wilderness — half-day and full-day options
- King crab safari on the Barents Sea (Kirkenes is famous for king crabs) — operates year-round but most accessible in winter when fjord is partly frozen
- Reindeer sledding with local Sami herders — typically a half-day activity
- Ice fishing on the fjord — equipment provided, guide included
- Northern lights tours by snowshoe or snowmobile — evening and night departures
Most of these activities can be booked direct with the hotel or through local operators in Kirkenes town. Prices vary from 800 NOK (ice fishing) to 2,500 NOK (king crab safari). Activities run December to April, though snowmobile conditions are most reliable January-March.
Practical Information: Costs and Booking
| Accommodation Type | Cost per Person/Night (NOK) | Cost per Person/Night (EUR) | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Room (single night) | 3,200–4,500 | €280–€400 | Dinner, breakfast, sauna access |
| Aurora Glass Cabin | 4,200–6,500 | €360–€580 | Breakfast, heated cabin, mini-kitchen |
| Log Cabin (2 nights minimum) | 2,800–4,200 | €240–€370 | Breakfast, heated cabin |
Prices fluctuate based on season. January-February are peak (highest prices, advance booking essential). December and March-April are lower season with more availability and reduced rates.
Book directly through the Snowhotel Kirkenes website or by phone (+47 78 99 29 29). The hotel is accessible by taxi from Kirkenes Airport (9km away, 10-minute drive, ~300 NOK) or via their own transfer service (150 NOK per person, pre-book with accommodation).
What to Know Before You Go
Best Time to Visit
Mid-January to mid-February offers the longest nights and most reliable northern lights activity. December is darker and colder (temperatures down to -15°C on the Barents coast), so aurora activity is good but weather and driving conditions can be challenging. March sees fewer tourists and less snow, which is better for travel logistics but reduces the novelty factor of the ice room.
What to Pack
- Thermal base layers (merino wool or synthetic — not cotton)
- Insulated Arctic pants and jacket rated -30°C or lower
- Insulated boots rated -40°C, with thick socks (two pairs)
- Gloves and inner glove liners
- Warm hat, balaclava, and neck warmer
- Sunglasses (snow glare is intense in daylight hours, which are few)
- Camera with cold-rated batteries (standard batteries drain quickly below -10°C)
- Toiletries you want (the complex has basics but limited selection)
The hotel provides thermal sleeping bags for ice room nights, so you don't need to bring your own. Do bring your own medications and any personal care items you prefer.
Physical Considerations
The ice room is a single night novelty, not extended accommodation. It suits most people in reasonable health, but the cold and unusual sleeping position (on ice) aren't suitable if you have severe arthritis, back problems, or heart conditions. The glass cabins and log cabins are standard accommodation with no physical challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I shower after sleeping in the ice room?
The ice room night includes dinner and breakfast at the main lodge. You use the heated facilities (shower, toilet) in the lodge before and after your ice room stay. There are no facilities inside the ice room itself.
What if I can't sleep in the -4°C room?
You can request to move to a warm cabin after a few hours if you're genuinely uncomfortable. This is rare — the hotel estimates 95%+ of guests complete the full night. If you're seriously concerned, book a glass cabin or log cabin instead and skip the ice room novelty altogether.
Is the northern lights guaranteed?
No. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon dependent on solar activity and clear skies. Kirkenes has a 50–60% chance of seeing aurora on any given clear night in January-February. Many hotels offer "aurora guarantees" where you get free return nights if you don't see lights — Snowhotel Kirkenes doesn't formally offer this, but ask at booking what their policy is.
Can I drive to the hotel from Kirkenes airport myself?
Yes, it's 9km on road E6. The drive is straightforward in daylight, but winter conditions can be hazardous if you're not experienced with snow driving. The hotel transfer service is safer and only costs 150 NOK more than a taxi. Rental cars are available at the airport, but driving the surrounding Finnmark wilderness (if you plan to do so) requires genuine winter driving experience.