Updated May 2026

Kirkenes Snowhotel — Aurora Hotel in Kirkenes, Norway

Snow hotel + glass-roof gamme cabins on a frozen lake near the Russian border.

★★★★★4.5· Editor's pick

Aurora HotelLuxuryDark sky 4/5Glass roof

Kirkenes Snowhotel — aurora viewing site, hero photo — Photo: kirkenessnowhotel.com

Kirkenes Snowhotel runs two products: the ice-themed Snowhotel (one or two ceremonial nights at -4°C) and the year-round Gamme cabins, each with a glass roof over the bed and a wood-fired sauna. The location near Russia matters meteorologically — the eastern Finnmark plateau gets clearer winter nights than the Norwegian coast. The on-site husky kennel runs both day-tours and the Aurora Husky Sled trip after dark.

Aurora season

Sep → Mar

Peak months

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Latitude

69.73° N (65-70)

Dark-sky rating

4 / 5

Glass roof

Yes

Aurora alarm

Not provided

What to expect

Book one Gamme night minimum; one Snowhotel night if you want the experience. Fly in via Kirkenes airport (direct flights from Oslo). King crab tasting menu at the hotel restaurant is the standard dinner.

Dark-sky notes

Bortle 3 lakeside; Kirkenes town glow visible 10 km west.

Amenities & features

glass roofsnow hotelhusky kennelsaunalakesiderestaurant

Book or research

For current rates, dates, and reservations, visit the property's own site:

Visit kirkenessnowhotel.com ↗

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights at Kirkenes Snowhotel?

Kirkenes Snowhotel has a viewing season of Sep → Mar, with peak months in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb. Dark sky is reliable here, so any moonless clear night during these months is a viable viewing window.

Can you watch the aurora from your room?

Yes — Kirkenes Snowhotel has glass-roof rooms designed for aurora viewing from bed. There's no wake-up alarm here, so most guests check the sky periodically through the night.

How do I get to Kirkenes Snowhotel?

Kirkenes, Norway. Sandnesdalen 14, 9912 Hesseng, Norway. See kirkenessnowhotel.com for current access details and bookings. As a aurora hotel, plan ahead — winter dates fill 6+ months in advance.