Glass Igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (Finland Diaries, Part - IV)

Glass Igloos

Nestled above the Arctic Circle, in a small remote village of Saariselkä, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is a village in itself.  Two, actually.  Segregated into an east and a west village, Kakslauttanen spans across many, many acres and gives an authentic experience of a remote Arctic region.

Ok, I admit, not really an authentic experience.  Unlike Sámi people, we would marvel at the white snowy blanket from the comforts of a heated accommodation, and not a bare-minimum shelter.

Glass Igloos. 

Inspired from the traditional ice igloos, ice being replaced by heated glass, they provide one of the best "room-with-a-view" experience.  Gaze out into the snowy woods and you would be transported to a true fairyland.  Recast your eyes' focus and gape at the geometrical symmetry of a snowflake.  The Sun, adamant not to come up the horizon, teases with dazzling orange and red twilight and leaves us spellbound.  At night, get enchanted by the mystical dance of the Northern Lights.  If Aurora Borealis keeps you waiting, the starry skies are no less enchanting. 

All of this... from the serenity of the heated igloo and from the comfortable bed with an adjustable platform. 😉

Charged up to be here? 😉

Once outside, you are not far from a true remote Lapland adventure.  There are trails starting from the resort and getting forked into nearby wilderness areas for a quiet stroll.  Dawdling on the banks of the frozen river on a clear day, invigorating the mind and the body, is not to be ignored.  We didn't do it, but the resort also serves as a gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park.  Well, a walk from the reception to the igloos, may give you the taste of Lapland as well.  😉

The frozen river; sit on the bench and enjoy the view!

A dash of color, in a backdrop of white!

In any case, your adventure begins as soon as you lug your suitcases/backpacks on the sleds!

Good to know

+ The price of your accommodation includes breakfast and dinner.  Both meals have good vegetarian options.  Dinner is a 3-course prix fixe menu, with local ingredients.  Reservations must.

+ Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, came into limelight with its signature glass igloos.  However, now, it does offer wooden chalets and cabins as well as suites.

+ Although remote, it has excellent connectivity from Ivalo as well as Rovaniemi, with direct bus services, multiple times a day.

+ The resort does provide airport transfers.  However, you can use public transport at half the price.

+ Although the igloos provide one of the best vantage points, be prepared for some light pollution from neighboring igloos and/or people going around in torchlights!

Suggestions

+ The way we planned our itinerary, this was our last leg.  We did all our adrenaline-inducing adventures before, and came to the resort to relax and unwind.  We personally believed that taking it light during the stay at the resort would help us enjoy the igloos more.  And we did not regret it.

Unarguably, one of the best experiences, till date!

If you want to glance through our complete itinerary, visit Part I of our Finland Diaries.