Kakslauttanen
Finland’s Unique “Igloo Village”
Watching the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed: it’s possible in Kakslauttanen.
© Iris van den Broek/Shutterstock.com
If you want to see the northern lights, you have to expose yourself to low temperatures. In a resort in Lapland, this can be done without any frostbite.
It was 1999 when the Finnish hotel owner Jussi Eiramo had a brilliant idea: “Many of my guests left their snow igloos or wooden huts even when it was minus 30 degrees so that they didn’t miss the northern lights. When I heard about Thermoglas, it hit me the idea and I set to work on the prototype.”
The result can not only be admired today, but also lived in: an entire village of glass igloos, from which Jussi’s guests can get a perfect view of the dancing lights from heaven while lying under a warm blanket.
Luxury under glass
The “Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort” is now known far beyond Finland’s borders. In addition to the iconic glass buildings, there are also actual (snow) igloos and traditional log cabins on the site. Holidaymakers do not have to do without luxury in the midst of untouched nature – Kakslauttanen is a four-star resort. This is also reflected in the prices. Even the small glass igloos for two people cost just under 600 euros per night.
A sleigh ride is a great outdoor activity, with either reindeer, horses or huskies. Of course, you can also put on your skis and glide through Finland’s winter wonderland on one of the many cross-country trails. The Luosto region is just under a two-hour drive from Kakslauttanen. Holidaymakers can see the Northern Lights in the middle of the national park. Aurora borealis lights up the night sky here about 200 times a year.
Lapland’s summer beckons
Those who love Finland can come back in summer and explore the national parks of Hossa, Riisitunturi, Oulanka and Syöte. The latter is known, for example, for an excellent network of routes for mountain bikers. In any case, the bright days also lure you to Finnish Lapland.