Tried & Tested: Isbreen – The Glacier
Let’s rewind to August 2025. At a prestigious luxury travel trade show, around 40 CEOs are presenting their most exclusive products. And then it happens: I fall head over heels for a wildly unconventional igloo resort tucked away in Northern Norway’s Northern Lights paradise. Next thing I know, I’m actually invited to experience it myself. What? Yay!!! Do I have the slightest clue what’s waiting for me up there? Absolutely not. But one thing’s for sure: Bucket list experience, here I come. As Experienced by LuxuryWise Editor-in-Chief Iris M. Köpke
The Resort
Even the name of the place sounds incredibly cute: Isbreen sits on the shores of Jøkelfjord, surrounded by the raw, rugged beauty of Northern Norway – about a 75-minute drive from Alta Airport. Guests in a hurry can also opt for the Due North Travel helicopter – the DMC also owns the resort. Because of course, Isbreen comes with its own helipad.
Once you arrive, distances are delightfully short. Four tented igloos cluster around a small main… well, cabin, where meals are served. When there's snow on the ground – like now, during polar night – the scene from afar looks a bit like curious octopuses poking their little heads above a shimmering white sea. Oh, BTW: tell your clients to leave the Gucci bags at home. Out here, sled dogs (and any fellow guests) are not really impressed by big-name brands.
Image: Théo Stora
The Igloos
At the moment, there are four igloos – all just a few steps from the main mini-lodge. I get to stay in "Skalsatind," the only double igloo and the most spacious of the bunch, complete with a massive separate living area. In total, I can spread out across 145 square meters (1,560 square feet). The double igloo is designed for up to four guests, thanks to a pull-out sofa in the lounge. Then there’s "Vika," the newest addition, scoring serious points for its drop-dead gorgeous interior design. "Huldrestein" feels like a slightly smaller sibling to Skalsatind in terms of style. And "Rammstein," the oldest igloo, tells the story best: tour all four and you can literally see the evolution – each one a little sleeker, a little more refined, a little more comfortable than the last. And in case your Northern Norwegian geography is as shaky as mine: the names are all inspired by the surrounding landscape – mountains, bays, and local landmarks. Good to know: the three single igloos each feature one bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and accommodate two guests. Each igloo also comes with a private hot tub overlooking the fjord. Two additional double igloos are already in the works.
Image: Joseph Michael Sturdivant
At the first inspection of my home away from home, my jaw practically hits the floor. When I hear the word "igloo," this much space is not exactly what comes to mind. And this level of style? Even less so. Owner Christine C. Gaffney personally selected every side table, every saucer, every lamp – and let’s just say: this lady has impeccable taste. If you have a soft spot for Nordic design, this is interior heaven. Still, the look remains pleasantly understated, because the real magic happens above the small skylight and beyond the panoramic windows, all facing the fjord: Northern Lights!!! But back to the interiors. There’s a spacious, beautifully bright bathroom, the aforementioned oversized living room, a guest bathroom, and a long hallway connecting the two igloo structures. Staying cozy is effortless. Both the living and sleeping areas feature a discreet heating unit, while a wood-burning stove crackles close to the bed. In both spaces, I also discover a coffee machine and a complimentary minibar. Challenge accepted!
Image: Katie Farr
The Cuisine
Resisting the urge to kidnap executive chef Stian Leon Holme before my departure took serious willpower. Because even though no one here is chasing Michelin stars, he would deserve one – at the very least. For lunch and dinner, the young chef presents lovingly crafted creations made almost exclusively from regional ingredients. Each course comes with a detailed explanation of which berries, powders, and spices he has foraged, dried, or fermented himself. It’s culinary theater at its finest. Casually delivered with lines like, "Oh, and the fish was caught for you in the fjord by our team member Sara." That’s what sense of place tastes like! Breakfast, meanwhile, is no understudy. Beautifully laid out by that same fishing-pro Sara Orzel, the morning spread includes yogurt with fresh fruit and house-made granola, smoothies, smoked trout, waffles, Norwegian caramelized brown cheese, and bread baked by owner Christine herself. All three meals are enjoyed communally in the dining room of the main house. The perfect setting to swap stories and relive the day’s adventures!
Image: LuxuryWise
The Activities – on Property
As beautiful as the igloos are, you really come here for one thing: to experience Norway’s raw wilderness in all its untamed glory. And that adventure starts right outside the door. Take Arctic Floating, for example. Dressed in bright orange survival suits, owner Christine personally guides guests down the short path to the fjord’s edge – no small feat, considering walking in those suits is kinda tricky. Then it’s time to say goodbye to your comfort zone. You awkwardly wade across moss-covered, slippery rocks and into the icy water. Deeper. And deeper. Until you can finally lean back and let yourself fall.
Aaaaaahhhh! …Oh. Actually? Not so bad.
Thanks to the suit’s special insulation and buoyancy, you float effortlessly on your back, surprisingly warm. All you see is blue sky above and snow-covered peaks rising around you. It’s unexpectedly meditative. Afterward, the only real question is: snowshoe hiking or barrel sauna with a fjord view? Brave souls – or those visiting in summer – can opt for the Infinity Skyroom: a full-size double bed set up outdoors on a hill overlooking the fjord. And, of course, the Northern Lights dancing above. A crackling fire and a bottle of Champagne can be arranged upon request.
Image: Théo Stora
Image: Isbreen The Glacier/Sara Orzel
Image: Théo Stora
Image: Théo Stora
The Activities – off Property
So where does the name Isbreen actually come from? Guests can find out on a whale-watching safari on Jøkelfjord – naturally as a private excursion aboard a chartered boat (complete with a blissfully heated cabin). Captain Storm (yep, that's his name!) sweetens the experience with hot chocolate and an infectious passion for his job. Understandably so: thanks to polar night when it does get light but in a gloomy way, we sail straight into a surreal color show. The sky glows in baby blue, soft lilac, and cotton-candy pink.
First stop: the Isbreen glacier (ahhh, now it makes sense). Zoom in, and the glacier’s top reveals luminous turquoise ice – the kind Arctic dreams are made of. Happy sigh. And don’t even think about putting your camera or phone away – no matter how cold your hands get. The fjord is teeming with orcas, humpback whales, and soaring eagles. What you’ll rarely see, however? Other whale-watching boats.
Of course, Nordic classics like skiing, hiking, dog sledding under the Northern Lights, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are also all on offer – depending on the season. After all, Isbreen is open year-round. And the activity lineup is about to expand: starting in September 2026, Tore and Vegard Karlstrøm – two bona fide local legends – will join the Isbreen team as on-site guides, giving guests even more access to their insider knowledge.
Image: Théo Stora
All the Feels
Reflections from My Stay
Familiar
Christine Gaffney and her team have perfected the warm-hearted "staying with friend’s" concept. Where else are guests looked after with such genuine care and attention to detail?
Luxurious
Igloos in Norway may sound rustic, but when it comes to comfort, Isbreen leaves little to be desired. From premium Champagne to plush mattresses, everything here feels thoughtfully refined.
Chilly
Yes, of course – it’s winter in the Arctic, so it’s really, really cold. Still, some guests are surprised by just how intense minus 13 degrees Celsius (about 9 degrees Fahrenheit) can feel out here. Brrrr!
Grounded
Mother Nature seriously flexes her muscles here. Between towering peaks, you can’t help but feel small and humbled. Meals are shaped by what the land and sea provide – a quiet return to what truly matters.
The Service
Anyone who visits as many luxury hotels – and would-be luxury hotels – as I do knows one thing: great service is no longer a given, even at the highest price point. A problem you won’t encounter here. Guests would like the sauna heated to perfection at 6:20 p.m.? It will be ready at exactly 6:20 p.m. Luggage didn’t make it? No problem — here’s a selection of cozy winter boots. And yes, someone will happily drive two and a half hours the next day to retrieve those delayed suitcases. Want to make friends back home jealous with photos under the Northern Lights? Owner Christine C. Gaffney (pictured) is a true pro at making both her guests and the aurora glow – and she gladly takes on the role of human Northern Lights alert system. Then there’s housekeeper Anna, rarely seen but very much felt, who keeps the igloos immaculate and places homemade cookies or delicate little chocolates inside every evening. Everywhere I turn, I meet people who seem genuinely, wholeheartedly delighted to be hosts.
Image: LuxuryWise
What We Loved
✔ The Northern Lights – at sparsely populated Jøkelfjord, there’s virtually no light pollution, and thanks to its location directly beneath the Aurora Oval, the displays are especially intense
✔ The genuine enthusiasm every single team member shows
✔ The spacious double igloo – even top-tier luxury hotel suites don’t always offer this much room
✔ The generously stocked amenity drawer in the bathroom – I could have packed almost nothing
✔ The cozy mittens knitted by locals, waiting on the bed as a welcome gift
✔ The charming table details – a wooden butter knife engraved with a reindeer, anyone?
✔ The feeling of not having to lock my igloo when heading out – even though I could
✔ Those perfectly crisp oatmeal cookies
Not So Much
✖ The unheated mini hallway with motion sensor between the sleeping igloo and the bathroom – should nature call in the middle of the night, you’re suddenly standing in a BRIGHT!!! COLD!!! space which makes it difficult to fall back asleep. Good news: in the newest igloo, "Vika," the hallway is heated.
✖ The sleds during the dog-sledding excursion – could we maybe add just a bit more cushioning, please?
✖ Activity rates are very Norwegian (read: steep) – but relief is on the way: starting with the 2026/27 season in September, Isbreen will operate as a fully all-inclusive resort.
Images: LuxuryWise
Our Takeaway
Everyone talks about "experiences." At Isbreen, this kind of luxury travel is simply lived – every single day. The sheer number of breathtaking moments and lifetime memories you can collect over a long weekend here is nothing short of spectacular. And while the accommodations are extraordinary in their own right – with an experience factor built in – it’s the passionate, genuinely enthusiastic team that truly makes a stay unforgettable. Three nights – and just like that, you feel like part of the family. Love it!
Trade Contact:
Owner Christine C. Gaffney