Kirkenes, Norway
Snow is seen as something special in Norway. Norwegians know snow comes every winter, and prepare for it, for in Kirkenes it is part of everyday life. Snow gives us lots of opportunities for enjoying nature, skiing, husky trips, snowmobiling and ice fishing. The snow is our friend!
Snow insulates very well and in a snow room the temperature can be a stable -5 degrees Celsius even if the outside temperature would be -30 degrees Celsius. Many arctic animals have also found out the benefits of snow and many create caves in deep snow to save energy and keep warm. Husky's have also found out how to make use of the snow's qualities, by letting themselves get covered in snow so as to stay warm.
Each of the snow rooms have curtains rather than doors because the moisture and heat created by guests should be allowed to circulate in the air. The rooms are decorated with snow and ice decorations. Chinese expert ice artists have assisted with the decorations as well as with the construction of the hotel's sculptures and ice-bar. Over 15 tonnes of ice was used to create the ice-bar and sculptures.
The ice used in the construction is locally sourced and is picked up from the lake right next to the Snowhotel. The 70-centimetre-thick ice is cut with chainsaws and pulled by snowmobiles to the Snowhotel. The theme in the ice-bar changes each year and it is thrilling to see what new ideas the talented ice sculptures come up with!
You can also enjoy the fantastic Northern Lights while there.
Room and hotel facilities:
Each snow room at the Snowhotel are well designed with beautiful details. The rooms are small with a five-meter-diameter and are equipped with amenities for a good night's sleep. You will be sleeping on an ice bed with a mattress and thermal insulation. You will also be given a warm sleeping bag which can keep you cosy even in a -35 degrees Celsius.
The hotel also has 20 individual snow suites each themed differently around arctic culture and nature. The Snowhotel also has warm accommodation in cosy Gamme cabins inspired by traditional hunting and fishing huts.
Kirkenes Snowhotel has a cosy wilderness restaurant next to the hotel. In our restaurant “Gabba” you can get a taste of the best produce from this region of Norway. The restaurant building is shaped like a Sami tent, but built in the Russian style of pine timber.
The restaurant is circular, with a big open fireplace in the middle. This fireplace is where we cook all the food. Our chefs make sure you get a taste of our lovely local specialities.
The menu is mostly fish, due to its abundance in this region, including cod, salmon and arctic char. The Arctic char comes from our own fish farm, which won a price for best seafood in Norway in 2009. And our menu includes also reindeer meat.