Snowhotel Kirkenes is located 8 km outside of Kirkenes, in the North of Norway.

We are 10 km/15 minutes by car from both Kirkenes airport or Hurtigruten Harbour.

We are about 10 km/15 minutes by car from the harbour.

We are about 10 km/15 minutes by car from the airport.

We recommend you meet about 15 minutes before the excursion. If your are staying at Thon or Scandic, the meeting place is in the hotel reception. If you need a pickup from your hotel, please inform us when you book. If you are staying with us, the meeting point for excursions is at the reception or GABBA (the lunch cabin by the dogyard).

Husky is a general name for a sleddog used in northern regions, differentiated from other sled-dog types by their fast pulling style. They are an ever-changing cross-breed of the fastest dogs. Alaskan Huskies are the athletes of all sleddogs, bred for running long and fast, and at the same have great pet qualities with their friendly disposition

The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as caribou in North America, is a species of deer with circumpolar distribution, native to Arctic, Subarctic, tundra, boreal and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. There are about 170.000 reindeer in Norway.

Reindeer husbandry today in Norway is a small industry on a national scale, but both in a Sámi and local context, it has great importance. Reindeer husbandry is not only important economically and in employment terms, it is also one of the most important parts of the Sámi culture.

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Yes! The Snowhotel is open all year both for day visitors and overnighters.

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No. We are in fact much more. We are an entire resort. In addition to the Snowhotel, you can also book our Gamme Cabins, and book King Crab, fishing and husky excursions all year round. We are open all year round, to show you the life in the arctic regardless of season.

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Yes. We have small lockers for valuables on the ground floor, close to the entrance of the Snowhotel (you enter directly from the ground floor into the the snowhotel). We also have luggage room, where you can keep your big luggage.

Yes. The sauna is open from 06 - 0900, so our Snowhotel guests can get warm and nice before breakfast.

Linen and towels are included in the cabin stay. We have daily cleaning, where we will tidy, and make the bed. However, as we are located this far north, we do not change bedlinen and towels daily. This is for the sake of our nature and environment, which we love very much.

Yes, in each cabin. Also in the sauna department in the main building.

Even though we dress our excursion guests in warm and protective clothing, you should always pack warm winter clothes. Always wear several layers of warm clothing for the cold winter days.

1. Long underwear and socks in woolen or technical fabric

2. Jumper in wool or fleece, and pants in e.g. fleece or cotton

3. Thick jumper in wool or fleece, scarf, woolen socks and lined trousers, in windproof material

4. Woolen hat, winter jacket, gloves or mittens and winter shoes.

Kirkenes has an inland climate, which makes the weather cold and stable in winter, and fairly warm in midsummer, thanks to the gulf stream. In winter (from November until March, the temperature may vary from 0 to minus 35 degrees celsius. The average temperature is around minus 10 degrees. So dress warm!

Yes, we are open all year long.

The timeline for activities may vary a bit, but mainly our winter season is from 01.12. - 20.04.

No unfortunately not. Check the weather forecast and talk with our guides. If you think the northern lights will appear during the night, set the alarm or stay up.

The northern lights appear already in the end of August, and last until early April. Meaning, the Aurora is there always, but after mid-april its too light to see them! The best period is however from September until March.

The midnight sun, (which is actually the same sun as always!) Is up all day and night from approximately Mid-May until August 01.

Yes, we have. Please write the necessary information when you book via our webshop.

The species we have is the Red king Crab, and is a particularly large fellow, growing up to 6 feet/1.8 metres in leg span. They are a pacific species, which has spread from the Bering strait in Russia. The population in the Barents sea has in few decades grown immensely, so there is no danger of overtaxation. Kirkenes Snowhotel has all necessary certificates and permits for King Crab fishing. And yes, they are delicious.

The normal portions are: 2 persons share one King crab. We guarantee a big catch, and no one will go hungry home!