While most people wouldn’t dream of actually moving up north to live in an igloo, there is something so captivating about living inside ice and snow sculpted architecture.
The Alta Igloo Hotel near Oslo, Norway features bedrooms, a living room area, an ice bar and ice gallery with intricate frozen sculptures.
It is situated along the Alta river, in the middle of a white wonderland. The hotel’s 20 rooms offer 50 beds made of reindeer fur and warm sleeping bags to keep guests comfortable in the hotel’s constant inside temperatures between -4 and -7 degrees Celsius.
During the day, why not go on a snowmobile safari? The trips leave directly from the hotel between December and April and are a guided tour on the former trade road to Karasjok. It’s a fantastic journey to explore the wilderness of snow-covered forests and take in the views from the Finnmarksplateau.
Snowmobile safari
Alta Friluftspark has more than fifteen years’ experience of taking its guests into the mountains, and our professional guides look after your safety and comfort all the way.
The weather on the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau varies from a few degrees above zero Centigrade to extremely low temperatures.
 Staying in a lavvo
- for groups of 8 or more
One of Alta Friluftspark’s most popular adventures is a snow-scooter safari to our lavvo (traditional Sami tent) camp on the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau.
The camp is constructed ever winter and has both lavvos heated by traditional open fires and lavvos with modern oil-fired stoves.
The safari takes about an hour and on arrival at the camp, the guests can enjoy ice-fishing on the lake while the cook prepares an excellent meal. With a little patience and the right bait, you may find yourself with a char or two to take home from Finnmark.
When darkness falls it is wonderful to sit inside the lavvo, warming yourself at the fire with a cup of something good. One of the high-points of the evening is the dinner- food just tastes so much better in the mountains.
After a long day with new impressions and lots of fresh air, you sleep well on reindeer “mattresses” and sleeping-bags that keep you warm in minus 30 Centigrade.
Meetings & Conferences
Alta Friluftspark (AFP) is a company that offers a wide variety of activities and unique experiences to our clients. This makes us an ideal partner for your meetings, conferences, courses, kick offs or incentive trips for successful employees. In winter we can take our guests into a blue, icy and fascinating fairy tale landscape on the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau. In summer the majestic Altariver sets the stage for exciting experiences.
Alta is very accessible due to daily direct flights from Oslo (appr. 2 hours) and only half an hour flight from Tromsø. SAS Braathens, Norwegian and Wideroe are offering flights to Alta.
Restaurant Laksestua
Alta Friluftspark`s restaurant has a unique and warm atmosphere. The use of local slate, rocks from the river and wood result in a rough, but pleasant look.
We offer a variety of exciting meals and serve lunch or dinner to groups that order in advance. Our menu is based on local ingredients. Here are some examples:
Starter:
- Cold grouse-breast with cream cheese, herbs and a cloudberry sauce
- Smoked reindeer with a mildly sour apple salad;
- Salmon marinated in herbal liquor;
Main course:
- Fried reindeer with syrup glazed vegetables, red-wine pear,
boiled potatoes and a port-sauce
- Salmon baked in ham and served with rice, salad and a rich thyme sauce
- Hazelnut coated arctic char, arranged with mussels and root vegetables
Dessert:
- Lukewarm cloudberry soup with creme fraiche
- Arctic berry pie of the season
Outdoor whirlpool
“relaxing area” contains two outdoor whirlpools from Polarbad. The perfect way to relax and enjoy wellness while breathing in the fresh air. Bathing is combined with the sauna inside the service building – and in winter you can go and make snow angels right beside the whirlpools…
The whirlpools are placed in a secluded area, and while you are enjoying the silence and look at the stars in the sky, your blood pressure goes down and your heart beats easier. The water jets from the massage jet nozzles relax your muscles and stimulate the blood circulation. And if you are lucky you might get to see the northern lights dancing in the sky…
Experience the Alta Canyon by riverboat
Alta Friluftspark is situated right on the banks of Norway’s best, and indeed world-famous, salmon-river. In the period late May to late August (depending on the depth of water in the river), we can offer excursions on the river in traditional river-boats, whose experienced skippers guarantee you a safe and comfortable ride though rapids and cataracts.
Almost 20 km upriver, in the wildest and most beautiful part, we stop below the Gabofossen falls. From here, we gaze into the biggest canyon of Northern Europe. The trip takes at least 2 hours (minimum 2 people). Other trips only on demand (groups only)
NOK 575,- pr person /children NOK 375,-
Minimum 2 persons
1. Nedre Sierra
The shortest trip lasts about 20 minutes, and we turn round at Nedre Sierra, the river’s best salmon pool. (Minimum 10 persons.)
2. Patagoski
This trip is a little longer, about an hour/ up to ninety minutes. The boat turns round at Patagoski, the first big rapids. (Minimum 2 persons.)
3. Gabofossen
Over 20 km up the river is the Gabofossen waterfall. This is the most attractive stretch of the river, and lets us peer into Northern Europe’s biggest canyon. The trip takes over two hours. (Minimum 2 persons.)
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