Leave Kiruna behind for a hands-on Arctic adventure in the snow-covered wilderness of Swedish Lapland. During this approximately 5.5-hour small-group experience, you will build your own snow igloo, explore the winter landscape on snowshoes and enjoy a hot wilderness lunch beside an open fire.
No previous igloo-building or snowshoeing experience is required. With a maximum of 8 guests, warm winter clothing provided and guidance throughout the experience, this tour combines teamwork, practical Arctic skills and a memorable day outdoors in the Kiruna wilderness.
Why Travelers Choose This Experience
This experience is led by local guides with practical knowledge of winter conditions in the Kiruna region and Swedish Lapland.
Your guide will explain how snow behaves in cold Arctic conditions, how a Quinzhee-style snow shelter is constructed and how wall thickness, ventilation and insulation affect the finished shelter.
Throughout the day, the route, pace and construction process are adapted to current snow depth, temperature and weather conditions to provide a safe and authentic Arctic experience.
Experience Itinerary
Pickup in Kiruna
Pickup from selected locations in Kiruna and nearby areas before travelling to the snow-covered wilderness.
Build the Snow Igloo
Work together with your guide to pile, compact and shape the snow using the Quinzhee method, creating the structure that will become your igloo.
Snowshoe Through the Arctic Wilderness
While the snow structure settles and strengthens, explore the surrounding winter landscape on snowshoes with your guide.
Hollow Out the Igloo
Return to the snow structure and carefully excavate the interior using shovels and snow-building tools while learning about wall thickness, insulation and ventilation.
Step Inside Your Finished Igloo
Complete the shelter, step inside the igloo you helped build and take photos of your finished Arctic creation.
Wilderness Lunch by the Fire
Warm up beside an open fire and enjoy a hot wilderness lunch with hot lingonberry juice, tea or coffee.
Return to Kiruna
After the experience, travel back to the selected drop-off locations in Kiruna and nearby areas.
❄️ A Hands-On Arctic Experience in Swedish Lapland
Leave Kiruna behind and travel into the snow-covered wilderness for an active winter experience where you will build your own snow igloo, explore the Arctic landscape on snowshoes and enjoy a hot lunch beside an open fire.
During this approximately 5.5-hour small-group adventure, you will work together with your guide to transform a mound of snow into a functional winter shelter using the Quinzhee method.
No previous experience is required. The focus is on teamwork, learning practical winter skills and taking an active part in the Arctic environment rather than simply observing it.
🏔️ Build Your Own Snow Igloo
The experience begins with snow, shovels and teamwork as the group builds and shapes a large mound that will become your own Arctic snow shelter.
The igloo is created using the Quinzhee method, where snow is piled together and compacted before being left to settle and harden. Your guide will explain how snow can provide natural insulation and how the structure needs to be prepared before the inside can be excavated.
Everyone has the opportunity to take part in the construction, making this a genuinely hands-on winter experience from the very beginning.
🥾 Snowshoe Through the Arctic Wilderness
While the snow structure settles, put on your snowshoes and head into the surrounding winter landscape with your guide.
Travel through snow-covered forest and quiet Arctic surroundings, look for wildlife tracks and experience the stillness of Swedish Lapland away from the town.
The snowshoe excursion allows the snow structure time to settle and strengthen while adding another classic Arctic activity to the day.
🧊 Turn the Snow Mound Into a Winter Shelter
After returning from the snowshoe excursion, it is time to complete the igloo by carefully hollowing out the inside of the snow mound.
Using shovels, snow saws and other snow-building tools, you will help create the entrance and interior while your guide explains how wall thickness, ventilation and the insulating properties of snow help create a functional winter shelter.
Once the work is finished, step inside the igloo you helped build, experience the shelter from the inside and take photos of your completed Arctic creation.
🔥 Wilderness Lunch by the Fire
After building, digging and snowshoeing, an open fire becomes the perfect place to warm up and relax.
Enjoy a hot wilderness lunch together with hot lingonberry juice, tea or coffee while surrounded by the quiet winter landscape.
The combination of building your own igloo, exploring the Arctic on snowshoes and sharing a hot meal beside the fire creates a memorable winter experience for travelers looking for something more hands-on in Swedish Lapland.
What's Included
- Pickup and drop-off from selected locations in Kiruna and nearby areas
- Local guide
- Warm thermal winter clothing
- Insulated winter boots
- Warm mittens or gloves
- Safety helmet
- Snowshoes
- Snow shovels, snow saws and igloo-building equipment
- Guided igloo construction using the Quinzhee method
- Guided snowshoe experience
- Hot wilderness lunch by the fire
- Hot lingonberry juice
- Tea and coffee
- Energy snacks
- Photos taken by your guide during the experience