After visiting the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, I have officially visited every ice hotel in Scandinavia. So, how does this ice hotel in Norway measure up?
If youʻre booking your trip to Alta last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!
🇳🇴 Top experiences and tours in Alta, Norway:
- Dog-sledding at a family-owned husky farm (my top pick!)
- Small-group northern lights tour (another winter favorite)
- Guided snowmobile trip on Finnmarksvidda (adventure tour)
🛌 Top places to stay in Alta, Norway:
- Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel (reviewed below—Alta’s only ice hotel!)
- Alta Wilderness Lodge (year-round option at Sorrisniva)
- Holmen Husky Lodge (cozy place w/ pups and dog-sledding!)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around Alta? Click here to check rental car rates for Norway!
Below, I share my thoughts on visiting the Sorrisniva Ice Hotel, including a bit of its history, what to expect, and how to book a trip (or a stay!) there.
At the end, I also answer some frequently asked questions about the Alta igloo hotel and whether or not I think you should book a stay there.
Please let me know in the comments if I have missed anything regarding this famous ice hotel in Alta! Thanks!
In this post...
- About Sorrisniva (the World’s Northernmost Igloo Hotel)
- My Impressions of the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
- How to Stay at Sorrisniva Hotel
- How to Visit Sorrisniva (Without Staying Overnight)
- Activities at Sorrisniva
- How to Get to Sorrisniva from Alta
- Best Time to Visit Sorrisniva
- Should you visit the Sorrisniva Ice Hotel?
- More Northern Norway and Alta Travel Guides
- Pin this Alta Ice Hotel Guide
About Sorrisniva (the World’s Northernmost Igloo Hotel)
Sorrisniva is Norway’s oldest ice hotel. While the igloo hotel dates back to 2000, its operations began in 1989 when it began offering snowmobile safaris to adventurous visitors to the Northern Norwegian city.
In 1992, they added a Lavvu restaurant, and the rest is history!
Each year, different artists (including many local artists who have been with the igloo hotel since its opening) carve masterpieces into the ice and snow, creating something different than the previous year and years past.
The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is open from December 20 until April 7 for overnight guests, and even if you are not staying there, you can still purchase a ticket (or a guided tour) and visit on your own from 12pm-8pm daily.
While the igloo hotel is dependent on snow and ice, Sorrisniva opened an Arctic Wilderness Lodge that is open year-round and is just perfect for an escape any time of the year.
Along with the several accommodation options available at Sorrisniva, there are many activities available. You can see details about them below. There is also a wedding chapel, and it is a popular place to get married!
My Impressions of the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
When I visited the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, I kept my expectations low as I have had some disappointing runs with ice hotels in the Nordics recently (most notably, the Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi, Finland).
What I walked into at Sorrisniva was beyond my expectations. This was, hands down, the best ice hotel I have ever visited. It was all about the design work inside. The artists hired at Sorrisniva were sensational!
Each igloo suite had its own theme, and they were elaborate and beautiful. There were Sami-themed rooms, rooms inspired by the Arctic, and even one that was Aladdin-inspired.
Another thing that was rather unique about Sorrisniva compared to Jukkasjarvi, for example, is that it felt a little less commercial and far cozier. The same goes for the Tromso Ice Domes.
Apart from the ice hotel itself, Sorrisniva’s main lodge was made from wood and felt very welcoming and warm. Everything about the place seemed to be centered on the comfort and enjoyment of the guests.
If you are looking to stay in an ice hotel in Norway, or even one in Scandinavia, Sorrisniva would, hands-down, be my top pick.
How to Stay at Sorrisniva Hotel
Norway’s Sorrisniva Ice Hotel has a few lodging options! And you can stay there year-round; just keep in mind that the ice hotel is not an option during the summer months as it melts away with the season, unlike the one in Kirkenes.
Below are your two options for how to stay at the Sorrisniva Hotel in Alta, Norway.
Igloo Hotel
The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel brings in artists from around the world (including locals) to create unique themes that change year after year. The hotel is large and takes 250 tons of ice (sourced from Sierravann) to build.
The snow at the igloo hotel comes from the Alta River, which runs through the property merely a few meters from the hotel itself!
Naturally, the hotel is not open year-round and only in the winter snow season. It is open from December 20 until April 7 and from 12pm until 8pm daily.
At the ice hotel, you will find 3 different types of rooms: the Igloo suite, the Igloo room, and the Igloo family room. Each of the suites is built with a theme and a variety of colors.
The standard rooms are basic.
- Igloo Suite: artistic, spacious suites; prices from 5500 NOK (about $515)
- Igloo room: subtle design but smaller and more basic; prices from 3500 NOK (about $325)
- Igloo family room: can sleep up to 3 adults and 3 children; prices start from 5000 NOK (about $470)
>> Click here to Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel rates and availability
Arctic Wilderness Lodge at Sorrisniva (Year-Round Option!)
A year-round accommodation option for those visiting Alta is the Arctic Wilderness Lodge at Sorrisniva. This 24-room lodge is built along the beautiful Alta River and offers a panoramic lounge and a fine-dining restaurant called Maku.
The 24 rooms include 17 river rooms, 5 river suites, and 2 dual-room premium suites. They all offer floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing an easier way to connect with nature right out of the doorstep!
You can enjoy the Arctic Wilderness Lodge at any time of the year, not just in the summer months.
>> Click here to check Arctic Wilderness Lodge rates and availability
How to Visit Sorrisniva (Without Staying Overnight)
You have a couple of options for visiting the Sorrisniva Ice Hotel outside of staying there overnight: a guided tour or a self-guided tour.
I chose the self-guided option as it gave me plenty of time inside to take photos and admire the artwork inside. Both options require you to get to the hotel on your own physically.
Sorrisniva Tour #1 (Guided)
If you want to book a guided tour of the igloo hotel, you can visit Sorrisniva’s website.
They will walk you through the entire complex and tell you about each piece of artwork while also explaining the engineering of Sorrisniva and how it gets built every year (with a new heme).
This price also includes a drink from the ice bar, and you will have time to wander around on your own for photos.
Entrance tickets are 550 NOK for adults and 290 NOK for kids (as of February 2024).
Sorrisniva Tour #2 (Self-Guided)
The second option you have is to book a day to visit the hotel on your own and explore without a guide.
This is what I did. You merely pick the date you want to book through Sorrisniva’s website and show up during the opening hours from 12pm-8pm.
Once you arrive at the hotel, they will give you a sticker to put on, and then you are free to explore the ice hotel at your own pace!
Entrance tickets for a self-guided tour of Sorrisniva are 300 NOK for adults and 75 NOK for kids as of February 2024.
On your ticket, you can also choose if you want a drink or not. I opted for a non-alcoholic drink with mine. If you’d like to include an alcoholic drink, it is 135 NOK extra.
A non-alcoholic drink is 100 NOK extra.
Ice Bar at Sorrisniva
Do note that the ice bar inside the ice hotel is not open from 12pm-8pm. You will find it open during the following times daily:
- 1pm-2pm
- 4pm-5pm
- 6pm-7pm
Plan your trip accordingly if you purchase a drink!
Restaurants at Sorrisniva
You will find two restaurants at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel: Maku Restaurant and Lavvu Restaurant.
Lavvu was opened in 1992 in a building that was inspired by a Sami tent, while Maku was opened along with the Arctic Wilderness Lodge later on.
Both offer a unique culinary experience at the hotel, sourcing ingredients locally from the Norwegian Sea and Alta River (with berries and vegetables sourced from local farms or hand-picked in the forest).
Activities at Sorrisniva
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel offers an array of activities, meaning that you can stay there without ever leaving and have a memorable day each morning you wake up.
Here are some of the activities and experiences offered at Sorrisniva:
- Ice Sculpting
- Helicopter Experiences
- Northern Lights Safari
- King Crab Safari
- Snowmobiling
- Reindeer and Sami Cultural Experiences
- Dog-Sledding
- Electric Biking
- Spa
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Riverboating Adventure
How to Get to Sorrisniva from Alta
The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is around 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the city center in Alta.
You have a few ways to get out there: having an arranged pick-up from the hotel, taking a taxi, or renting a car. I visited with my rental car, which made it far easier than any of the other options.
Arranging a pick-up by the hotel is only an option if you book an overnight stay there or an activity that requires a pick-up in the city (not all experiences offer pick-up).
Best Time to Visit Sorrisniva
Well, it depends. If you’re 100% looking to visit the ice hotel, you need to visit when it is standing from December 20 until April 7 (check each year to ensure the dates stand).
But, if you’re visiting outside of this time, I highly encourage staying at the Arctic Wilderness Lodge or simply booking an activity with them and hearing more about the hotel.
Should you visit the Sorrisniva Ice Hotel?
Absolutely! This is honestly the best ice hotel in Scandinavia (in my opinion) and I think if you have a rental car and the time, you should book a tour there.
If your budget permits, on the other hand, I think it is worth booking one of the igloo suites and staying there for a night (or two).
Do you have any questions about visiting the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel? Let me know in the comments!
More Northern Norway and Alta Travel Guides
- Things to do in Alta, Norway
- Tromso in winter
- Ice hotels in Norway
- Things to do in Hammerfest
- Things to do in Honningsvåg
- Things to do in Kirkenes
Pin this Alta Ice Hotel Guide
Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.