Lainio Snow Village

A true winter wonderland sculpted from over 2,000 tons (2 million kilograms) of snow and ice, the Lainio Snow village is an undeniable highlight of a trip to Lapland and even more impressive when you consider that the 215,000-square-foot (20,000-square-meter) complex is completely rebuilt each winter season.
The star attraction of the Lainio Snow village is its grand ice hotel, where more than 30 individually decorated ice rooms, igloos and suites are constructed entirely from snow and ice, and temperatures hover between 23 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-5°C and -2°C). You don’t have to spend the night to admire the icy architecture though. Guests can also sip cocktails (or hot chocolates) in the ice bar; dine at a table made of ice in the ice restaurant; admire Europe’s largest ice dome or party at an ice disco. There are also tunnels and galleries filled with painstakingly carved ice sculptures; slides dotted around the complex; and the chance to visit a reindeer farm or enjoy snowmobiling or husky sled rides. There’s even an ice chapel, where couples can brave the cold for a truly unique winter wedding before checking into the ice hotel’s honeymoon suite.

Practical Info

The Lainio Snow Village is located in Yllasjarvi in Finnish Lapland and is open from December to April, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. for non-hotel guests. Adult admission to the village is €10.