FAQ
We have listed the most frequently asked questions and answers here. By clicking on the links below the question, you will find more information on the topic.
Q: I want to book a twin glass igloo for a certain date, but the calendar shows it in gray. What does that mean?
A: If the date appears in gray, it means we are fully booked for that day. Popular dates sell out quickly, so we recommend checking nearby dates or planning a little earlier – hopefully we can welcome you then!
Q: We are a family of three and want to book a twin glass igloo. How do we add an extra bed for our child?
When you enter 3 people in the booking system, the extra bed will be added automatically and the correct price will be shown.
Q: How can we get to the hotel from Rovaniemi
A: We offer daily transfers to our overnight guests from Rovaniemi city centre and Santa Clause Village. If you arrive to Rovaniemi by plane, we can pick you up from the airport – you can choose from a group transfer on marked times or immediately after the flight. Transfers must be booked 24 hours in advance.
Overnight Guests: How to get to Rovaniemi
If you wish to visit us and need a transfer, we suggest you reading about our visiting packages. The address of our hotel is Lehtoahontie 27, and if you choose to come with your own car, we have free parking.
Q: How cold is the hotel?
A: The temperature inside the hotel is always between 0 and -5 Celsius degrees, while outside it might be down to -35! We suggest you dress warmly, have a look at our instructions on how to dress up in Lapland during winter.
Q: Can I come only for a short visit? What is included in the entrance fee? When can I visit?
A: Entrance fee allows you to enter Arctic SnowHotel and everything inside of it (rooms, Ice chapel, Ice bar, Ice restaurant). We are open for visitors daily 10:00 – 20:00 during our winter season December 15th – March 31st.
We also offer unforgettable visiting packages from autumn to winter, that include activities and transfer from the Rovaniemi town centre and back. The packages are available starting from September 1st, and from December 15th they include a guided tour in SnowHotel.
Q: The booking system shows 10:00 as the entry time when I’m trying to buy an entrance ticket to the snow hotel. Do we need to arrive exactly at 10:00?
A: No, you don’t need to arrive at 10:00. The booking system always shows our opening time, but your ticket is valid for the whole day. You can come and visit at any time during our opening hours.
Q: Is it possible to see the northern lights?
A: Our venue is excellent for spotting the northern lights as we are located far from city lights. You significantly increase your chances of seeing the northern lights with our northern lights watcher, who makes sure you don’t miss seeing the light phenomenon. They monitor the skies and alert glass igloo and SnowHotel guests who opted for the service as soon as things start to happen in the arctic skies. It is also possible to experience the northern lights as a part of our visiting package.
How to see the northern lights
Q: If it snows, can I still see northern lights?
A: During heavy snow fall, the sky is naturally cloudy, which is not the ideal weather for northern lights watching. We must wait for the snow fall to clear and keep an eye at the weather forecast before heating the glass igloo glass roofs, to avoid heavy ice buildup on the glass roofs. Snowy days are for enjoying the snowy activities; like e-sleds the electric snowmobile tours, or snowshoeing and ice fishing or why not feed our reindeer Friends outside the hotel.
Q: What dinner options do you have?
A: We have three different dinner restaurants: Kota Restaurant, Log Restaurant and Ice Restaurant that serve three course dinners on specific times.
Q: What can we do at the hotel during the day?
A: At our hotel, you can participate in a variety of activities, for example in ice fishing, ice sculpting, and snowshoeing. During winter, our overnight guests can loan our snow shoes or kicksleds free of charge, or try out tobogganing. We also recommend testing our sauna! Both traditional Finnish sauna as well as snow sauna are unique experiences – not to mention sitting in a warm outdoor jacuzzi in crispy winter air! Snowmobile, husky and reindeer safaris are arranged close by.
Activities for different seasons
Q: Can I bring my luggage to my room?
A: If you are staying at glass igloo, yes you can – there is enough space for it. If you are staying at Arctic SnowHotel, we recommend you to take your luggage to the Snowhotel Lounge where you can find safety lockers. As your room is made of snow and ice, your luggage might get cold and wet so we recommend that you take only the necessities to your room that you need overnight.
Q: Is the breakfast included in accommodation price? Can I book half board?
A: Buffet breakfast is included in all of our accommodation prices. You can book a dinner in one of our restaurants which serve 3-course dinners to make your booking half board.
Browse & book dinner and lunch
Q: I think I left something at the hotel. Where can I ask about lost and found?
A: Lapin Löytötavara (SepSa Oy) manages our found goods service. You can contact them directly by phone: Lapin Löytötavara Tel. 0600 301 430 (€1.95/min + local network charge) or visit their office at Varastotie 2 (Vintikki).
They store found goods for 3 months from the date of collection. The goods are handed over against identifying marks and the found goods fee (5%, max €17) determined by law. They can also deliver found goods, e.g. as parcel delivery for a separate fee.
Q: Can I pay tickets with an Epassi?
A: You can buy tickets with an Epassi on site at our reception.
Q: How to dress up in Lapland during the winter?
A: The temperature can be anything between 0C and -35C degrees in the winter yet the most common temperatures are from -10 to -20C degrees.
Here are some tips for clothes to wear during winter in Lapland:
- Dress in many layers under the outdoor clothing
The layers keep your skin warm and dry, and you can take layers off in case it gets too hot, so that you don’t sweat – which again could make you feel cold again!
1st layer: Long thermal underwear with cotton or woollen socks (or both as layers).
2nd layer: Loose fitting (the air between the layers keeps you warm) layer of fleece, cotton, wool or similar material.
3rd layer In case of an extremely cold weather (-30 degrees or colder), or an activity where you stay still a lot (like snowmobiling), similar layer to the second one. - Water-proof winter boots that fit 2 layers of socks
Warm boots should cover the ankles as there might be a lot of snow. You should have space in front of your toes. If your toes are touching the shoes, your feet will get cold. We recommend you to wear at least two layers of socks; cotton socks and woollen socks on top of those. - Loose fitting outdoor clothes with hats, scarves and mittens
Keep your upper and lower body warm with loose fitting outdoor clothing. The winter coat and ski-type trousers should also be water and wind-proof. - Hands, feet and the head get cold the fastest and are important to keep warm. You need warm material (wool) hats, scarves and mittens. Mittens keep your fingers together, where gloves have fingers separated, so mittens work better against the cold.
Q: What kind of winter clothing do we need for children in Lapland?
A: The Finns dress their kids warmly in Lapland, so apply these same instructions above with children. The best way to keep the children warm during cold days is to dress them in many layers and to stay active. Staying still will make the cold feel even colder. Even though you are comfortable, remember to monitor and listen to your child, and add layers if needed.
Q: Do you offer winter clothing?
A: Unfortunately we don’t offer winter clothing so if you don’t have your own outdoor clothing, we recommend to contact Winterent where you can rent the outdoor clothes from.