Steve Backshall’s Family Long Weekend in the Arctic
The best time to visit Sorrisniva depends on the kind of experience you're looking for. For a similar experience to Steve and his family's, we suggest aiming for winter between December and March, when the full magic of the Arctic is on display and the Igloo Hotel is open. For a month by month advice, please scroll down.
If you're looking to experience all that Sorrisniva has to offer, we recommend spending a minimum of 3-4 nights to enjoy a mix of adventurous activities from snowmobiling to husky sledding but having time to enjoy relaxing in the wonderful hotel and enjoying the serenity of your natural surroundings. If you have a little more time, a full week's stay is perfect for adventure enthusiasts, keen photographers or those who just want a slower, more relaxed pace to their break.
Key Highlights
Meet the indigenous Sami people, feed reindeer, and hear traditional stories around a crackling fire in Arctic wilderness.
Mush your own team of huskies across pristine snowfields, guided by expert mushers through spectacular Arctic landscapes.
Ride snowmobiles across frozen plateaus to Jotka, enjoying thrilling speed, mountain views, and Arctic solitude with expert guides.
Chase the magical Aurora Borealis under starry Arctic skies, guided to prime viewing spots far from light pollution.
Sleep in sculpted ice rooms with thermal bedding, surrounded by shimmering ice art in this unforgettable Igloo Hotel.
From The Team
Sorrisniva offers an extraordinary range of Arctic experiences - from thrilling husky sledding and snowmobiling to relaxing ice baths and witnessing the awe-inspiring Northern Lights. The best way to truly embrace everything this unique destination offers is through a tailor-made itinerary. Customising your journey allows you to explore at your own pace, ensuring you don’t miss out on any adventure, culture, or natural beauty. With our bespoke itineraries, we can help you craft the perfect trip, combining the best of Norway’s wilderness with unparalleled comfort and personal touches.
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Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1
In the evening, embark on a truly magical and culturally rich Arctic experience. Glide through the breathtaking scenery surrounding Sorrisniva on a sled pulled by reindeer in search of the Northern Lights. Along the way, your guide will share stories from Sami folklore and legends surrounding the Aurora Borealis.
After an action-packed afternoon, retreat to the warmth and comfort of the lodge - a sanctuary of glowing fires and quiet luxury - where you can unwind under the starlit Arctic sky.
Day 2
Then, set off on a privately guided snowmobile adventure from Sorrisniva to Jotka Mountain Lodge, through the untouched landscape of one of Europe’s largest wilderness regions.
Your expert local guide will stop for storytelling, offering insight into the land, culture and wildlife. If the weather allows, you'll pause at the jaw-dropping Alta Canyon - a true natural wonder deep in the Arctic.
For those drawn to an authentic and unconventional Arctic night, we recommend spending the evening at the Igloo Hotel. Rebuilt entirely from snow and ice each year, the structure is never the same twice - a fleeting masterpiece of art and architecture.
Day 3
Spend the afternoon savouring the peace and privacy of the lodge. Relax in your suite, watching the light shift across the snowy landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows, or unwind in the outdoor sauna and hot tub. Across the lodge, you’ll find inviting fireside spaces ideal for reading, reflecting or simply soaking in the stillness.
Dinner is a true highlight. Choose from Maku or Lavvu Restaurant and enjoy creative, slow-crafted cuisine showcasing the finest produce from Arctic Norway paired with wines or local infusions.
Final day
Afterwards, retreat to the sauna and hot tub to restore warmth and reflect on your extraordinary Arctic journey.
Depart with vivid memories and a renewed connection to nature - the stillness, the wildness, and the quiet magic of Norway’s far north.
Pricing Guide
Get in touch and we’ll design a personalised itinerary, complete with tailored pricing and expert recommendations.
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Where Steve Stayed in the Arctic
With the fascinating possibilities provided by its extreme northerly location, Sorrisniva is a luxurious place for experiencing a wildly different and stunning environment.
Located just outside Alta in the heart of the Arctic wilderness, Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is the world’s northernmost ice hotel. Rebuilt each winter from snow and ice, it offers a magical and truly unique overnight stay surrounded by stunning ice sculptures and crisp, silent beauty.
Best Time to Visit Alta, Norway
An all-year-round destination, the best time to visit Sorrisniva in Norway depends on the kind of experience you're looking for.An all-year-round destination, the best time to visit Sorrisniva in Norway depends on the kind of experience you're looking for.
Why Travel with Journeysmiths
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.
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With the fascinating possibilities provided by its extreme northerly location, Sorrisniva is a luxurious place for experiencing a wildly different and stunning environment.
Located just outside Alta in the heart of the Arctic wilderness, Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is the world’s northernmost ice hotel. Rebuilt each winter from snow and ice, it offers a magical and truly unique overnight stay surrounded by stunning ice sculptures and crisp, silent beauty.
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