Northern Lights Ranch Review: A Lux Arctic Escape

A Review of Northern Lights Ranch Near Levi, Finland.

Picture this: You wake up in a cozy, glass-walled cabin in the middle of a snowy wonderland. You look up through the glass ceiling—yes, the ceiling—and maybe, just maybe, the Northern Lights are making their debut. Welcome to Northern Lights Ranch, where luxury meets wilderness and your main concern is how quickly you can run from the hot tub back to your cabin without freezing solid. It’s that kind of place—where adventure and relaxation are equally balanced, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a memorable stay, whether the aurora shows up or not. I stayed there for three nights in February 2022 and these are my honest opinions (TL; DR: I really loved it!)

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Location & Getting There

Northern Lights Ranch is about a 15-minute drive north of Levi (aka Sirkka), which is far enough to feel like you’ve entered a serene, snow-globe universe but close enough to civilization that you can stock up on snacks or thermal socks if you need to. The remoteness is a feature, not a bug—after all, isolation means no light pollution which means you have prime aurora-watching real estate, and trust me, you’ll want that.

If you’re flying into Kittilä Airport (KTT) it’s an easy 30-minute drive. If you didn’t rent a car (because who wants to drive in the snow on vacation?), the hotel offers a shuttle service from central Levi that will whisk you to your cozy cabin in no time.

Best Time to Visit

Northern lights season in Finnish Lapland is long, from September to April. Winter (December to March) is your best bet if you want that full-on snow-globe, winter-wonderland vibe. It’s perfect for skiing, snowshoeing, and cozying up by the outdoor campfire after a long day in the Arctic wilderness. Want longer days? February and March give you a bit more daylight without sacrificing the nighttime magic of the aurora.

But if you’re not a fan of the cold, September to November offers a surprisingly pleasant alternative. The autumn colors are stunning, the aurora’s still a possibility, and prices are a bit lower. Plus, you won’t have to run quite as fast from your cabin to the hot tub in September.

The Cabins: A Private Glass Paradise

Speaking of cozy, let’s talk about the stylish cabins. These things are an Instagram dream—floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass roof over the bed, Scandinavian minimalist design in muted tones, and all the creature comforts you need to survive in sub-zero temps without sacrificing style.

In addition to the usual bed (motorized so you can raise it up to gaze at the stars) and bathroom (with toiletries, robe, and slippers), each cabin has a kitchenette with a mini fridge, mini bar, coffeemaker, and tea kettle, and a comfortable seating area and where you can kick back with a cup of coffee. Some cabins have a separate lounge area with a small couch and television. There’s also a handy heated mudroom at the entrance for all your snowy gear so you don’t track puddles across the cabin floor. It’s the little luxuries like that which make this place feel extra special.

Not every cabin comes with a hot tub or sauna, but if you can splurge, definitely go for the private hot tub. My cabin had its own hot tub, and running outside in a bathrobe and slippers, frantically yanking off the hot tub cover, and diving into the steaming water is a whole experience in itself. Sitting out there in the freezing cold with a frosty drink, watching faint Northern Lights while your bathrobe slowly turns into an ice sculpture next to you? Surreal. Getting out and sprinting back inside? Well, not as magical—but absolutely worth it.

Dining: Local Delights on a Plate

Northern Lights Ranch doesn’t mess around when it comes to meals. I went for the half-board option, which includes a breakfast buffet and a proper dinner off the menu in the restaurant, where there was always a roaring fire in the fireplace. The breakfast buffet spread is solid, and the dinner menu focuses on local, seasonal delicacies, think reindeer and arctic char. The reindeer was delicious, though I’ll admit, I tried not to think too much about my breakfast buddies while eating it. The arctic char, on the other hand, was melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Reindeer Feeding Before Breakfast

This was one of the highlights for me. There are a handful of young reindeer that live in a fenced in area outside the floor to ceiling windows of the restaurant. Every morning, there’s a big bucket of lichen (the moss that reindeer eat) just inside the restaurant door, and the reindeer—young and curious—know the drill; they’re waiting for snacks. It was the first time I’ve ever had to wash reindeer slobber off of my hands before heading in for your breakfast, and I’m not complaining!

The Northern Lights: My 4 AM Wake-Up Call

While the reindeer were a huge highlight, I can’t forget to mention the moment that made the stay for me. I had been in Lapland for over a week and still hadn’t seen a proper aurora. On my second-to-last night, I woke up randomly at 4 AM and looked up above my bed and saw what looked like jet contrails crisscrossing the night sky. Still half-asleep, it took me a few minutes to realize, “Wait a minute, there probably aren’t five jets flying over the Arctic right now… that’s the aurora!”

Cue me scrambling to throw on layers of winter gear in record time. I spent the next 45 minutes outside on crisp windless night, in the absolute silence of a snow-covered landscape, watching the Northern Lights swirl stronger and stronger across the sky. It was one of those surreal, bucket-list moments that made the frozen fingers and the lack of sleep completely worth it.

Extra Fun: Skating, Snowshoeing, Saunas. . . and Marriage?

When you’re not soaking in your hot tub or staring up at the sky, there’s plenty to keep you entertained at Northern Lights Ranch. For starters, there’s a cute little ice-skating rink on the property—perfect for pretending you’re an Olympic figure skater (or, in my case, just trying not to wipe out).

And if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, grab the free snowshoes and hit the trails. I did a bit of snowshoeing, and let’s just say it’s a fantastic way to explore the area and work off that breakfast buffet.

Now, let’s talk saunas, because this is Finland after all. Some cabins come with private saunas, but if yours doesn’t, you can rent a standalone one for the full Finnish experience. The tradition (as explained to me by a few Finns) is to sit in the sauna until you’re so hot you can barely stand it, then run outside and roll around in the snow like a human snowball. Rinse and repeat. It sounds a little crazy, but somehow it’s completely refreshing. Plus, it’s the perfect way to feel fully alive—or fully frozen—depending on how you look at it!

Northern Lights Ranch can also double as a unique wedding venue if getting married surrounded by ice is your thing. There’s a wedding chapel made entirely of ice and snow that gets rebuilt each winter.

Pros and Cons

No place is perfect, but Northern Lights Ranch is close. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide if it’s right for you:

Pros:

• Location: It’s remote enough to feel secluded but close enough you can pop into town.
• Northern Lights: All the cabins have glass ceilings for optimal aurora-viewing right from your bed.
• Cozy Cabins: Radiant floor heating, hot tubs, saunas—total comfort even in freezing temps.
• Winter Wonderland: Snowshoe trails, an ice-skating rink, and endless opportunities for winter fun.
• Reindeer: Did I mention I like reindeer? Did I mention you get to feed young reindeer at breakfast? I mean, come on.

Cons:

• Isolation: While the remoteness is a selling point for some, it might feel too quiet or far from the action for others.
• Aurora Uncertainty: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and they don’t always make an appearance. If you’re unlucky, you might not see them at all.
• Cost: This place is not cheap. The price tag might give you pause, but you’re paying for an experience, not just a bed.

Levin Iglut vs. Northern Lights Ranch

Battle of the Mostly-Glass Hotel Rooms: Which One’s Better?

As someone lucky enough to stay at both on my trip, I honestly can’t pick a favorite. They’re both spectacular in their own ways, and each has a few unique perks that make them special. So, instead of declaring a winner, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each, to help you decide which one fits your perfect winter getaway vibe.

• Igloo vs. Cabin Vibes: Levin Iglut gives you the classic glass igloo experience—it’s the stuff of Arctic dreams, where you feel like you’re staying in a futuristic snow globe. Northern Lights Ranch, on the other hand, isn’t about igloos, but the cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows and glass ceilings, so you’re still getting those prime aurora views. It’s more of a cozy cabin-in-the-woods feel versus Levin Iglut’s igloo aesthetic.
• Size Matters… Kinda: If we’re getting technical, the igloos at Levin Iglut feel slightly roomier than the Northern Lights Ranch cabins because the dome shape of the igloo results in a very high ceiling in the middle, but honestly, not by a huge margin. Both are comfy enough to stretch out in and relax, whether you’re lounging inside with a book or gazing at the night sky.
• Foodie Heaven: Here’s the good news—you won’t go wrong at either place if you’re all about the food. Both offer incredible meals featuring local, seasonal ingredients like reindeer (sorry, breakfast buddies) and arctic char. So, food-wise, it’s a delicious tie.
• Reindeer Bonus Points: Northern Lights Ranch has this in the bag. Every morning, there’s a group of young reindeer that live by the restaurant, and you can feed them lichen before you head in for your own breakfast. Levin Iglut? No reindeer.
• Location & Accessibility: Levin Iglut has the upper hand if you want to be closer to town. It’s a shorter drive to downtown Levi, which is super convenient if you plan to hit the ski slopes or explore the area. Northern Lights Ranch is a bit more secluded, but they do offer a free shuttle to Levi if you’re car-free, so you’re not completely cut off from civilization.
• Light Pollution: The flip side of Northern Lights Ranch being farther from town? Zero light pollution. The aurora is in its purest form, with nothing dimming the view. Levin Iglut, while still great for Northern Lights watching, has a bit more ambient light from the nearby ski hill, especially depending on which way your igloo is facing.
• Views: Levin Iglut is perched on a hill, giving it slightly better panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Northern Lights Ranch is on flatter ground, but you still get gorgeous forest views that feel super peaceful and secluded. So, it’s more of a hilltop vs. forest vibe when it comes to scenery.

In the end, it really depends on what you’re after. Both places are dream-worthy for a luxury Lapland escape, whether you’re drawn to the sleek glass igloos of Levin Iglut or the cozy reindeer-filled charm of Northern Lights Ranch. You really can’t go wrong either way.

Who Will Love Northern Lights Ranch?

Let’s be honest—this place is for anyone who wants to combine adventure with relaxation in a stunning setting. Nature lovers, aurora chasers, and anyone in need of a peaceful getaway will fall head over heels for this place. If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature, Northern Lights Ranch is your spot.

However, if you’re looking for a more social, activity-packed vacation, or you want to be closer to town, it might feel a bit too remote for your taste.

Sound like the experience you’re looking for?

And once you’ve booked, be sure to check out the 16 Best Winter Activities in Levi to plan your epic Arctic adventure in Levi!