Latest
issue
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Hotel on skis: Mobile cabin allows guests to enjoy Northern Lights from deep within the Arctic wilderness
POSTED 21 Mar 2018 . BY Kim Megson
Three rooms, each set on skis, have been made available for booking until mid-April 2018 Credit: Off the Map Travel
The wilderness camp is placed for the winter to give guests the best possible opportunity to experience the Northern Lights and simply enjoy the silence of the Arctic plains
– Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel
Remote holiday specialists Off the Map Travel have created another of their mobile semi-transparent glamping cabins, designed to be towed into the remote wilderness of the Arctic Circle so that guests can experience the Northern Lights from the comfort of their beds.

Three rooms, each set on skis, have been made available for booking until mid-April 2018. They are situated in the Aurora Wilderness Camp, six kilometres east of Kilpisjärvi, Finland.

Each of the cosy rooms is 2.5m (8.2ft) wide, 4.5m (14.7ft) long and 2m (6.5ft) tall, and includes a wide bed to lie back on and take in the night sky through the glass roof. There’s also space, just about, for a table, a dry toilet, a gas heater with a thermostat and a gas stove – “providing a combination of adventure and comfort.”

Statistically, the Kilpisjärvi area has more clear night skies and records more Northern Lights activity than any other place in Finland. Experts estimate that if the sky is clear, visitors have more than a 70 per cent chance of seeing the Aurora.

“The wilderness surrounding Kilpisjärvi is known for its remote and uninterrupted Arctic tundra,” said Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel. “Away from any man-made light pollution, it’s here that the wilderness camp is placed for the winter, giving guests the best possible opportunity to experience the Northern Lights and simply enjoy the silence of the Arctic plains.”

The guest experience starts at 6pm, where an experienced guide transports guests by snowmobile to their room before teaching them how to make a campfire and grill some local sausages. After the wilderness grill, guests will have the camp to themselves in isolation.

Once the winter ice has thawed, the rooms will be relocated to a new home for the following season, beginning in January 2019.

Off the Map Travel – the stated aim of which is to show people “the wildernesses of the world” – has previously run a similar initiative with the Aurora Bubble Sled, which can be mounted on the back of a snowmobile.

The Northern Lights are a popular draw for tourists, and hospitality developers are starting to cater for this market, often by adopting innovative design ideas.

Snøhetta have unveiled a concept design for the Arctic Circle's first-ever energy-positive hotel, which will be situated at the foot of the Svartisen glacier in Norway. The same firm recently completed a Treehotel hovering 10m (32.8ft) above the ground in Edeforsvägen forest, Sweden.

Meanwhile, the creators of the world-famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, are currently seeking designers for its winter iteration.
The guest experience starts at 6pm, where an experienced guide transports guests by snowmobile to their room before teaching them how to make a campfire Credit: Off the Map Travel
Each of the cosy rooms is 2.5m wide, 4.5m long and 2m tall, and includes a wide bed to lie back on and take in the night sky through the glass roof Credit: Off the Map Travel
Statistically, the Kilpisjärvi area has more clear night skies and records more Northern Lights activity than any other place in Finland Credit: Off the Map Travel
Credit: Off the Map Travel
RELATED STORIES
  Icehotel seeks designers to create guest rooms at its next wintry wonderland


With the imminent arrival of spring across Europe, and temperatures tentatively rising, the ephemeral Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden will soon return from whence it came, melting back into the Torne River.
  Snøhetta unveil Arctic Circle's first energy-positive hotel concept


International architects Snøhetta have unveiled a concept design for the Arctic circle's first ever energy-positive hotel.
  Snøhetta design soaring hotel room among the trees


Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta have designed a new addition to Sweden’s famous Treehotel, providing a unique perspective of the Northern Lights from a forest canopy.
  Permanent ice hotel chilled by solar power opens near Arctic Circle


The world’s first permanent ice hotel has opened to guests 200km (124m) north of the Arctic Circle.
MORE NEWS
The SATCC announces first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five- day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.
Ansana Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel launches destination spa with sacred Hawaiian cultural concept
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its 22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Glow beyond protection: meet Comfort Zone Hydramemory Hybrid Glow SPF 30
Sun protection is no longer just about shielding the skin – it's about enhancing it. [more...]

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Sothys Paris

Founded in 1946, Sothys is owned by the Mas family. Chief executive Christian Mas oversees the com [more...]
Unbescheiden GmbH

Unbescheiden GmbH was founded in 1869 in Baden- Baden, Germany [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
26-27 Jun 2026

The Longevity Show

Tobacco Docks, London, United Kingdom
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Hotel on skis: Mobile cabin allows guests to enjoy Northern Lights from deep within the Arctic wilderness
POSTED 21 Mar 2018 . BY Kim Megson
Three rooms, each set on skis, have been made available for booking until mid-April 2018 Credit: Off the Map Travel
The wilderness camp is placed for the winter to give guests the best possible opportunity to experience the Northern Lights and simply enjoy the silence of the Arctic plains
– Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel
Remote holiday specialists Off the Map Travel have created another of their mobile semi-transparent glamping cabins, designed to be towed into the remote wilderness of the Arctic Circle so that guests can experience the Northern Lights from the comfort of their beds.

Three rooms, each set on skis, have been made available for booking until mid-April 2018. They are situated in the Aurora Wilderness Camp, six kilometres east of Kilpisjärvi, Finland.

Each of the cosy rooms is 2.5m (8.2ft) wide, 4.5m (14.7ft) long and 2m (6.5ft) tall, and includes a wide bed to lie back on and take in the night sky through the glass roof. There’s also space, just about, for a table, a dry toilet, a gas heater with a thermostat and a gas stove – “providing a combination of adventure and comfort.”

Statistically, the Kilpisjärvi area has more clear night skies and records more Northern Lights activity than any other place in Finland. Experts estimate that if the sky is clear, visitors have more than a 70 per cent chance of seeing the Aurora.

“The wilderness surrounding Kilpisjärvi is known for its remote and uninterrupted Arctic tundra,” said Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel. “Away from any man-made light pollution, it’s here that the wilderness camp is placed for the winter, giving guests the best possible opportunity to experience the Northern Lights and simply enjoy the silence of the Arctic plains.”

The guest experience starts at 6pm, where an experienced guide transports guests by snowmobile to their room before teaching them how to make a campfire and grill some local sausages. After the wilderness grill, guests will have the camp to themselves in isolation.

Once the winter ice has thawed, the rooms will be relocated to a new home for the following season, beginning in January 2019.

Off the Map Travel – the stated aim of which is to show people “the wildernesses of the world” – has previously run a similar initiative with the Aurora Bubble Sled, which can be mounted on the back of a snowmobile.

The Northern Lights are a popular draw for tourists, and hospitality developers are starting to cater for this market, often by adopting innovative design ideas.

Snøhetta have unveiled a concept design for the Arctic Circle's first-ever energy-positive hotel, which will be situated at the foot of the Svartisen glacier in Norway. The same firm recently completed a Treehotel hovering 10m (32.8ft) above the ground in Edeforsvägen forest, Sweden.

Meanwhile, the creators of the world-famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, are currently seeking designers for its winter iteration.
The guest experience starts at 6pm, where an experienced guide transports guests by snowmobile to their room before teaching them how to make a campfire Credit: Off the Map Travel
Each of the cosy rooms is 2.5m wide, 4.5m long and 2m tall, and includes a wide bed to lie back on and take in the night sky through the glass roof Credit: Off the Map Travel
Statistically, the Kilpisjärvi area has more clear night skies and records more Northern Lights activity than any other place in Finland Credit: Off the Map Travel
Credit: Off the Map Travel
RELATED STORIES
Icehotel seeks designers to create guest rooms at its next wintry wonderland


With the imminent arrival of spring across Europe, and temperatures tentatively rising, the ephemeral Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden will soon return from whence it came, melting back into the Torne River.
Snøhetta unveil Arctic Circle's first energy-positive hotel concept


International architects Snøhetta have unveiled a concept design for the Arctic circle's first ever energy-positive hotel.
Snøhetta design soaring hotel room among the trees


Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta have designed a new addition to Sweden’s famous Treehotel, providing a unique perspective of the Northern Lights from a forest canopy.
Permanent ice hotel chilled by solar power opens near Arctic Circle


The world’s first permanent ice hotel has opened to guests 200km (124m) north of the Arctic Circle.
MORE NEWS
The SATCC announces first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five- day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.
Ansana Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel launches destination spa with sacred Hawaiian cultural concept
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its 22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The Good Spa Guide sets up event for modified Good Spa Guide Awards
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, UK.
McKinsey: 84 per cent of consumers say wellness is a top priority
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of Wellness 2026 research report.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Glow beyond protection: meet Comfort Zone Hydramemory Hybrid Glow SPF 30
Sun protection is no longer just about shielding the skin – it's about enhancing it. [more...]

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Sothys Paris

Founded in 1946, Sothys is owned by the Mas family. Chief executive Christian Mas oversees the com [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
26-27 Jun 2026

The Longevity Show

Tobacco Docks, London, United Kingdom
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS