During the fall and winter months, an incredible phenomenon can be seen above the Arctic: bands of green, pink, and purple lights dancing across the night sky. These auroras occur as charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere. To watch this light display outdoors, people would have to brave temperatures that can reach a frigid -40°C (-40°F). Or they can take in the fascinating sight from inside a warm and cozy glass igloo at the Kakslauttanen (kak-SLAUW-tah-nen) Arctic Resort.
The resort is located 241 kilometers (150 miles) north of the Arctic Circle—an imaginary line that circles Earth near its North Pole—in a biome called the taiga. There, conifer trees like pine and spruce endure long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. The secluded spot became the site of a hotel in 1973 when its founder’s car broke down on a remote road in Finland’s far north. Alone in the wilderness, he made camp and fell in love with the area. Since then, his camp has grown to a resort with more than 100 cabins.
“We have guests from absolutely all over the world,” says Kakslauttanen spokesperson Mika Viitanen. Visitors can ride snowmobiles, sled behind huskies, go ice fishing, or spy reindeer. But the most popular activity by far, says Viitanen, is viewing the northern lights from the hotel’s igloos.