Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi: How to Visit, What to Expect, & Tips

I have visited the Arctic SnowHotel five times – most recently one week before writing this post! To be fair, one of these visits was during the fall when I stayed at one of their glass igloos, so the snow hotel wasn’t built yet and only an ice bar stood in its place.

But, I have been to the Arctic SnowHotel during various winters, and in this guide, I am going to tell you exactly how to visit the Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi, why you should, and what to expect when you’re there.

At the end of the post, you will see what I recommend wearing and bringing with you… and I will also answer some FAQs.

If you have any questions about taking a day trip from Rovaniemi to the Arctic SnowHotel, please let me know in the comments or send me a message.

I live in Rovaniemi and visit each season, so I am happy to help with the latest updates (as long as they have been released for the upcoming season).

Please also note that while the Arctic SnowHotel and Glass Igloos also offer the glass igloo option in autumn and winter, this post will not primarily discuss it in detail—it will be more about visiting the ice hotel in Rovaniemi instead.

Now, let’s get into things!

About the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos in Rovaniemi

The Arctic SnowHotel is both a glass igloo resort and a snow hotel located around 26 kilometers (15 miles) from Rovaniemi in a village called Sinetta.

The beautiful snow hotel was opened in 2008 by Heidi and Ville Haavikko as he was studying snow construction and wanted to put those skills to good use for the public. They later added the glass igloos. Today, they also operate Santamus (I highly recommend eating there if you can!) and Snowman World at Santa Claus Village.

You can visit the Arctic SnowHotel throughout the winter (dates may change from year to year… more about that below) from mid-December until the end of March.

Each year, the Arctic SnowHotel opens with a different theme. The 2024-2025 season’s theme was the ‘Key to Happiness’. While I didn’t feel that theme connected so well throughout, each room did have its own design and was worth stepping into.

The famous Lapland ice hotel has a lot of cool features like the Snow Sauna, Ice Restaurant, Ice Chapel, and Ice Bar.

There are also tons of rooms available… and you can stay overnight in them! This year’s snow hotel offered 10 Snow Suites, 10 Superior Snow Rooms, and one Secret Snow Suite. There are also two corridors with art.

Entrance Tickets to the Arctic SnowHotel (2024-2025 Season)

The ticket prices for the 2024-2025 season are €29 for adults and €15 for children. Infants ages 0-1 are free. Tours that include transportation (detailed below) are a different price as they include extras. You can learn more on their official website.

This ticket lasts for the entire day but does not include a drink at the Ice Bar. You can book your ticket ahead of time or just show up and purchase on the spot.

How to Visit the Arctic SnowHotel from Rovaniemi (3 Options)

There are three main ways to visit the Arctic SnowHotel from Rovaniemi. They are to take a tour, drive there with a rental car, or get a taxi there. I will briefly detail each below.

Taking a Tour

The easiest way to get to the Arctic SnowHotel from Rovaniemi city center (or Santa Claus Village) is to take a tour. This is the best option for those without a rental car who don’t want the hassle of a taxi.

There are two tour options I recommend – one includes only the visit and one includes a visit and dinner combined.

Option 1: SnowHotel Tour (No Dinner)

If you are a budget traveler and traveling solo or with one other person and do NOT have a rental car, this will be your cheapest option. It is cheaper than getting a taxi out that way. If you have three or more people in your group, a taxi will be cheaper.

Nevertheless, the tour will pick you up from SCV or Rovaniemi city center at the arranged time and transport you to the snow hotel. There are various time slots but I would opt for the early afternoon slot (it is less busy).

Once arriving, you will get a tour of the snow hotel for 45 minutes before having 1.5 hours of free time inside to take your own photos and do your own thing. After, you will be transported back to SCV or the city center.

>> Click here to check SnowHotel tour rates and availability

Option 2: SnowHotel Tour (Includes Dinner)

Your other snow hotel tour option is to take a trip there and enjoy dinner in their Ice Restaurant! Upon arrival, you will take a tour of the Arctic SnowHotel, learn about its construction, and have some free time to peruse the place in search of the perfect photo.

You’ll then head into their Ice Restaurant (there are multiple rooms inside this year’s restaurant) where you’ll sit down to enjoy a 3-course menu!

This season’s starter is a mushroom soup with main options of moose, salmon, chicken, and tofu. Dessert is a raspberry-vanilla bavarois with vanilla cream, white chocolate, and muesli. There is also a kid’s menu available where a pasta bolognese can replace the main course.

Dinner times are at 5:30pm, 7pm, and 8:30pm depending on the tour option you choose (just know that pickup times will be adjusted accordingly).

>> Click here to check SnowHotel + Dinner rates and availability

Do note that with both tours, alcohol and drinks from the Ice Bar are not included in your package. Here are the 2024-2025 Ice Bar prices:

• Ice glass shot (with alcohol): €12.50
• Ice glass shot (non-alcoholic): €6
• Hot drink with alcohol: €12.50
• Glogi: €5
• Hot chocolate: €5

You can pay for your purchase at the Ice Bar with card.

By Car

Another way to reach the Arctic SnowHotel is to drive there with a personal car or a rental car.

From Rovaniemi city center, the distance to Arctic SnowHotel is about 26 kilometers (15.5 miles)… and around a 25-30 minute drive. You will just need to head north toward Muonio on Route 79 and take a left on the 83 toward Pello once you pass Sinetta.

There will be a K-Market on your left in Sinetta and once you see that, start looking out for your turn coming up soon (it is where a gas station is).

Continue down that road for about 5 minutes before turning left to the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos. There are plenty of signs so you will have no problem finding it.

During the winter months, the road that you will turn on off of 83 can be a little icy, so go slow on the approach into the Arctic SnowHotel. There is a spacious parking lot and parking is free if you are visiting.

If you are driving someone who needs to be dropped off closer to the door, you can pull up closer to the reception to do so, but you must pull back out to the main lot to park.

Taking a Taxi

Another option for visiting the Arctic SnowHotel is to take a taxi there! This is not super cheap, but it is a good alternative if visiting in a group.

A one-way taxi with a good service like Meneva is around €60. Do not take a wild taxi in Rovaniemi from the street. Be sure to only take one with an app.

Staying Overnight at the Arctic SnowHotel

I have never stayed overnight at the Arctic SnowHotel. I would like to state that before giving more information about its options. So, I can not tell you how it is and if it is worth it. I live in Rovaniemi and sleep at home (in my warm bed).

This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience though and if you are visiting from somewhere that is not Finnish Lapland or the Arctic, this bucket list stay will surely be worth it!

Prices fluctuate with the season and dates but you can stay in a Double Room for as low as around €460 on Booking.com (it is often cheaper than on their direct website). Here are the accommodation options (click the links to check pricing for your exact dates):

• SnowHotel Double Rooms (sleep 1-2 people)
• SnowHotel Triple Rooms (sleep up to 3 people)
• SnowHotel Family Rooms (sleep up to 6 people)
• Glass Igloos (sleep up to 2 people)
• Family Glass Igloos (sleep up to 6 people)

Breakfast is included in each stay. Each stay, no matter which accommodation you choose, also includes free entrance to the SnowHotel and Snowman World at Santa Claus Village (I have reconfirmed this on March 4, 2025).

FAQ

Is the Arctic SnowHotel wheelchair-accessible?

Mostly, yes. You can maneuver around a lot of the hotel, but do note that it is made with packed snow and ice so it is not always level.

While you can see the corridors, Ice Restaurant (and its four dining halls), Ice Bar, and Ice Cathedral with ease, the rooms are a bit trickier. Many of the doorways are narrow and may be a challenge to get through.

I spoke with the staff at the Arctic SnowHotel and they confirmed this – so while I think it is a worthwhile activity for those in a wheelchair, please be aware that you may not be able to access every Snow Suite.

The tours I mention above are wheelchair-accessible and the transport that is included will accommodate them. Do let them know beforehand so they can make your journey as comfortable as possible!

When can you visit the Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi?

The Arctic SnowHotel is open from December 15 until March 31 annually. If these dates change, I will make a note of it at the beginning of the season.

When is the best time to visit the Arctic SnowHotel?

If you’re looking to visit with the fewest crowds, go between 2-4pm. You can also visit from 11am until 4pm but the 2-4pm slot is the most optimal time. It is busiest at night and during dinner service.

Are there other ice hotels in Rovaniemi?

No, this is the only snow hotel (or ice hotel) in Rovaniemi currently. Snowman World, also owned by Arctic SnowHotel, has some ice sculptures inside, but this is our only ice hotel.

The next one is 2.5 hours away in the Kittila area (Lapland Hotels Snow Village) which is a better day trip from Levi than Rovaniemi.

What is the Arctic Art Festival?

If you are visiting Rovaniemi and your travel dates align with the Arctic Art Festival, lucky you!

Each year, the Arctic SnowHotel hosts a festival called the Arctic Art Festival which focuses on frozen sculptures and artwork. It is at the end of January (this year it was January 20-25, 2025) and the exact program is released the December before.

The festival takes place mostly at the Arctic SnowHotel but also has a bit happening at Snowman World at SCV. There is even a free entrance to both during the week, so be sure to check out their website for more details.

If you have missed visiting during the Arctic Art Festival, don’t worry – you can still see many of the designs left outside the snow hotel once the festival is done!

Tips and Things to Know Before Visiting Rovaniemi’s Arctic SnowHotel

Here is a quick list of some things to know before visiting the Arctic SnowHotel:

✅ If you’re doing a DIY visit, you will need to purchase your entrance ticket in reception and they’ll hand you a map and a wristband. You can then head to the ticket check-in inside the ice hotel where you’ll show them your wristband and you can proceed.

✅ The best time to visit to avoid the crowds is from 2-4pm. You can also stop by from 11am-4pm and it is still considered good, but 2-4pm is optimal. Later in the evening, it is bustling with the dinner crowd, so I would avoid it unless you’re enjoying dinner there yourself! Weekends are busier than weekdays.

✅ Don’t leave without feeding the reindeer! Outside the hotel are two reindeer and there is lichen available so you can feed them.

✅ On-site you can also go kick sledding and tubing down the hill by the lake. This is also a great place to check out the northern lights at night if they are active (and the skies are clear).

✅ Be respectful of others when visiting – take your photo and exit the room so others can have a chance to do the same.

✅ Stop in for a coffee at the reception cafe after your visit! It is a great place to warm up and relax before carrying on back into the city.

✅ If you are searching for another activity nearby… you can stop to see Pia and the reindeer at Local Lifestyle! Her programs are affordable and she is located right next door! It is a way to do two activities on the same day.

You can read about my time at Local Lifestyle Rovaniemi here.

What to Bring and Wear on Your Visit

The temperature inside the snow hotel stays between -5C and 0C (23F and 32F), so it will be cold. But it shouldn’t get colder than that no matter what the temperature outside is! Here are some things I think you should wear and bring with you:

• Parka
• Base layer
• Sweater
• Snowboots or warm shoes
• Mittens/gloves
• Hat
• Hand/feet warmers (if you bring rechargeable ones, make sure to pack in your carry-on and now checked luggage)
• Mobile power bank

There is not much to bring with you for the trip except your camera (and a power bank if you’re going to use your phone for photography). Mobile phones have gotten increasingly better over the years, but they can still drain in cold weather faster than in warmer temperatures.

Photographing inside the Snow Hotel can be a bit challenging for first-timers. Expect to use low-light photography settings with a higher ISO. Drones are not permitted so leave them at your hotel.

Is the Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi worth visiting?

If you have never visited an ice hotel before, yes, I think it is worth the stop when you’re on a trip to Rovaniemi. If you have visited one before, I would say it is up to you and whether you can squeeze it in on your trip or not.

I have been to every ice hotel in the Nordics and the Arctic SnowHotel is a great place to visit for first-timers as it is accessible compared to others and the value for money is pretty good (even if you take a tour from the city).

I think the artwork inside this snow hotel is slightly less impressive than some others I have visited, BUT… it has 21 rooms, 4 restaurant rooms, an ice bar, and an ice chapel.

That is a lot of ground to cover. But, yes, I think this ice hotel in Lapland is worth visiting and putting on your Rovaniemi itinerary!

Have questions about visiting the Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi? Let me know in the comments… or send me a message!

More Rovaniemi Travel Guides

• Rovaniemi in winter
• Places to eat in Rovaniemi
• Feeding reindeer in Rovaniemi
• Things to do in Rovaniemi (if the weather is bad)
• Rovaniemi on a budget
• Best Rovaniemi day trips
• Rovaniemi travel mistakes (and how to avoid them)
• Best cafes in Rovaniemi
• Review of the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
• Getting from Rovaniemi Airport to the city center
• Best tours in Rovaniemi
• Rovaniemi in November
• Rovaniemi in February
• Northern lights in Rovaniemi
• Dog sledding in Rovaniemi

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