Why we love it
The setting
Out by the Alta River, about 11 km from central Alta in northern Norway, you'll find Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. Rebuilt from scratch every winter, the snow hotel changes each season — new carved walls, new archways, new ice furniture. Outside, a warm timber lodge holds the lounge, restaurant and sauna, which means you can step from the frozen suites into a heated space when you need to thaw out. The location puts you well past the city lights, deep in Arctic darkness during the colder months.
What to expect
A night here means sleeping inside a room carved from snow and ice, on a bed dressed with a thermal mattress, a sleeping bag rated for the cold and reindeer hides on top. The ice suites glow with coloured lighting and sit at roughly minus four to minus seven degrees, so warm sleepwear matters. Bathrooms and showers are in the heated service building nearby. There is an ice bar with carved seating, and the restaurant in the lodge serves Arctic dishes by an open fire. Breakfast is not included, so add it when you book.
Things to do nearby
The hotel is built on the bank of the Alta River, a quiet spot surrounded by birch trees and snow. Alta town centre is about 11 km away, with shops, cafes and the Northern Lights Cathedral. Alta Airport is 12.6 km from the hotel, which keeps transfers short. In clear winter conditions the open sky above the property is a strong vantage point for the aurora, and the grounds also host snowmobile trips and dog sledding through the surrounding valley.
Best for
Couples and travellers after a one-off Arctic night who want the ice suite experience without giving up a heated lodge, hot meals and a sauna close at hand.
Choose your room
✓ Your selection
Bridal suite
A carved ice suite with thermal bedding and reindeer hides, warmed lodge facilities a short walk away.
View room →Property, in pictures
See all 8 photos →
A week, loosely planned
Suggestions, not orders. Tour ideas to mix and match for your trip.
Night in the ice suite
Arrive at Sorrisniva and settle into the lodge, then take a guided walk through the ice hotel to see the season's carvings and your suite. Warm up over dinner by the fire, watch for the aurora outside, then bed down in the ice suite under reindeer hides before a hot breakfast option and sauna in the morning.
Where you'll be
Alta, Norway
FAQ
Where is Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel located?
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel sits about 11 km from the centre of Alta, on the bank of the Alta River. You are away from the town, which gives darker skies for aurora watching.
How far is Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel from Alta Airport?
Yes. Alta Airport is 12.6 km from the hotel, roughly a 15 minute drive, so transfers to and from the airport are short.
Do the ice suites have private bathrooms?
The ice suites do not have private bathrooms. Showers and toilets are in the heated service building a short walk away, and your room key gives you access through the night.
When is the snow hotel open?
The snow hotel is open during the winter season while the structure can be kept frozen, usually from around December to early April. The heated lodge with its restaurant and sauna runs alongside it.
Is breakfast included at Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel?
Breakfast is not included in this rate. You can add it when you book, and the lodge restaurant also serves Arctic dishes for dinner by the open fire.
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