Saariselka, Finnish Lapland, Finland - Glass Igloo Suite - Aurora Borealis - Arctic Wilderness
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselka, Finnish Lapland, is the resort that invented the glass igloo concept - a unique arctic accommodation design where thermally insulated glass domes allow guests to lie in bed and watch the Northern Lights illuminate the Finnish winter sky above them without leaving the warmth of the suite. The resort was founded in 1973 by Jussi Eiramo, who built the first glass igloo in the 1980s as an experiment in watching the aurora borealis, creating what has become the most imitated luxury accommodation concept in the arctic world.
The Glass Igloo Suites at Kakslauttanen are constructed with a specially developed thermal glass that prevents condensation and maintains the clarity of the dome throughout the Finnish winter - a technical achievement that took years to perfect. The aurora borealis is visible at Saariselka on average 150 nights per year between September and April, with the peak season from November to March coinciding with the Finnish polar night when the sun does not rise above the horizon for weeks. The Glass Igloo Suites face north to maximise aurora viewing probability.
The resort surrounds Urho Kekkonen National Park - one of the largest national parks in Europe and one of the most pristine subarctic wilderness areas on the continent. Husky safaris, reindeer safaris, snowmobile expeditions, ice fishing, the resort planetarium, the authentic Santa Claus experience, and cross-country skiing through the national park constitute the activity programme. The Smoke Sauna - heated with a traditional Finnish wood-burning kiuas without a chimney for the authentic smoke-infused sauna experience - is the most celebrated sauna facility in Finnish Lapland.
The Glass Igloo Suites at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort are constructed of specially developed thermal glass that maintains clarity and prevents condensation in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. The dome faces north to maximise the probability of aurora borealis sightings from the Queen or King bed inside. The suite includes a bathroom with a small sauna, underfloor heating throughout, and the Finnish Lapland wilderness visible in every direction through the curved glass walls and ceiling.
The Glass Igloo design was developed and refined at Kakslauttanen over decades - the resort holds the original patent for the thermal glass igloo concept and the accommodation has been continuously improved since the first prototype in the 1980s. Each night in the Glass Igloo Suite is unique: the aurora borealis cannot be predicted, but the probability of a sighting across a 4-night stay at Saariselka is extremely high during the peak November to March season.
Restaurant Kakslauttanen serves Finnish Lapland cuisine in the authentic log cabin setting of the original resort buildings - reindeer dishes in multiple preparations, Arctic char from the wilderness rivers, cloudberry and lingonberry desserts, and the full range of Finnish traditional winter cooking. The restaurant draws on the Sami cultural heritage of the Saariselka region and the seasonal wild ingredients of the Urho Kekkonen National Park surroundings.
The resort also operates an outdoor campfire dining experience in the Finnish wilderness - a private campfire meal in the snowy Lapland forest with sausages grilled over birch wood, traditional Finnish mugs of hot coffee, and the Finnish wilderness atmosphere at its most authentic. The Smoke Sauna experience is followed by traditional Finnish sauna food including sausages, smoked fish, and fresh bread baked in the sauna kiuas heat.
Four nights at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in a Glass Igloo Suite - aurora borealis from the bed each night, husky safari at dawn, reindeer through the Sami wilderness, snowmobile in Urho Kekkonen National Park, the Smoke Sauna, the planetarium, and the Santa Celebration House.
Northern Lights probability is high across 4 nights at peak season (November-March) but cannot be guaranteed. Contact your Richseen specialist for optimal dates.
Kakslauttanen invented the glass igloo in the 1980s. The thermal glass does not condensate at minus 40C. The Northern Lights appear on 150 nights per year. The Glass Igloo faces north. Urho Kekkonen National Park is at the door. The Smoke Sauna has no chimney. The huskies are at dawn. The reindeer herder is Sami. The planetarium is indoors. The Santa house is in the wilderness. The airport is 45 minutes.
A 4-night stay at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in a Glass Igloo Suite - the aurora borealis from the bed each night, husky safari, reindeer safari, Smoke Sauna, planetarium, Santa Celebration House, daily breakfast, and private transfers from Ivalo Airport.
The Northern Lights through the thermal glass dome. The husky team at dawn. The Sami reindeer herder. The Smoke Sauna kiuas. The planetarium dome. The campfire in the Finnish wilderness.
All components are fully flexible - refined with your Richseen specialist prior to confirmation.