Lake Inari Mobile Cabin Stay – A Bucket List Winter Experience
In the middle of the icy stillness, under a moonlit sky, we waited lying in our cozy bed – breath held, eyes wide – until the clouds finally gave way. And then, like a whispered secret, the Northern Lights appeared – dancing, flickering, unimaginably real. I couldn’t tell you how long the show lasted, only that we fell asleep hours later, still staring up at the sky through the cabin’s glass roof – hearts full and cheeks sore from smiling 🙂
We’ve always had a soft spot for experiential stays – the kind that offer more than just a roof over your head. Places that leave you with stories to tell and memories to cherish long after the trip ends. So, when we came across the Lake Inari mobile cabins while planning our Finland adventure, it was love at first sight. I mean, how often do you get to sleep in a cozy cabin on a frozen lake, with the Northern Lights swirling above you like a dream?
Even now, whenever friends or family ask us about our favourite experience in Finland, I light up and probably get a little too chatty 😀 . So, you can imagine how special this was for me! And I’m truly thrilled to share all about it with you, because if you’re planning that dream trip to the Finnish Lapland, this might just become your favourite memory too.
Reaching Lake Inari Mobile Cabins
Let’s talk about logistics first – how to reach this dreamy hideaway. Most likely, you’ll be arriving in Inari either from Rovaniemi or via a flight to Ivalo Airport.
If you’re traveling from Rovaniemi, take a bus from the Rovaniemi Bus Terminal to Ivalo. From there, transfer to a smaller local bus heading towards Inari. The journey takes around 5 hours in total, with gorgeous Arctic landscapes keeping you company all the way. If you’re flying into Ivalo Airport, the trip is much shorter – just 45 minutes by local bus to Inari.
Now, do note that the local bus won’t drop you off directly at the accommodation. Instead, get down at K-Market Inari, which is the closest stop. From there, the team at Lake Inari Mobile Cabins will be able to pick you up. It’s just a quick 10-minute drive. Just inform them of your arrival time and request for the pickup beforehand.
For your journey back to Ivalo airport, book the shuttle from this website and they will pick you up from the accommodation.
We took the OB 42 bus at 9 AM to Ivalo, which worked well for us – arriving with some daylight left to settle in. There are other buses throughout the day, so check the schedule and choose what suits you best.
Book your bus tickets online instead of buying them onboard – it’s significantly cheaper. We learned that the hard way 🙂 .
About the accommodation
During the day, the mobile cabins are stationed near the base camp, and after dinner, they’re towed onto the frozen lake by snowmobile. The base camp itself has all the essentials: a shared dining room, clean toilets and showers, Wi-Fi, and a traditional Finnish sauna (which we totally loved!). Surrounded by trees and far from any noise, the place feels like a world apart.
You can just relax, read a book or unwind in the sauna in the day time. Though we stayed there for a night, I would recommend 2 nights if you love peace and solitude. Because we would have done the same if we had an additional day. They also offer various activities like ice fishing, husky ride etc. So if you have time, you can opt for these activities.
The cabins, while compact, are thoughtfully designed – with a cozy bed, a portable toilet for nighttime, oil heaters to keep you warm on the lake, and LED lights with power banks for charging. Still, it’s best to charge your devices at the base camp while there’s electricity. Also, when you are at the lake, they inform on the WhatsApp group when the northern lights appear. How sweet is that?
Our Experience at Lake Inari Mobile Cabins
Arrival and the Sauna
We reached the base camp at around 3pm after grabbing a few things from K Market, Inari. Having skipped lunch, all we could think of was food. But once we arrived, hunger took a backseat – the sauna and our cabin suddenly felt far more tempting 😀 .
Our host, Atte, warmly welcomed us, showing us to our cabin and the shared spaces. While we ate our packed lunch in the cozy common room, my eyes were set on the sauna. The moment it was free, we dashed in. Since each session is private – one couple or group at a time – it felt personal and unhurried. We even ran outside in between to rub snow on ourselves before returning to the warmth. It was the perfect antidote to the long bus ride.
Dinner and ride to the lake
By the time we had bath and came back, Atte was already preparing dinner. We sipped tea and wandered around in the snow, before being called into the charming wooden dinner hut. We all sat around the fire while Atte shared Finnish tales over hot meals. We ended the evening with some non-alcoholic glögi and cookies. It was interesting to know how the shape of the cookies also had a background story.
Then came the moment we were waiting for – our cabin was towed onto the frozen lake at around 8:30 PM. The ride itself turned into an unexpected adventure: a few things tumbled around, and at one point, the unlocked door swung open mid-ride. I had to leap from the bed to latch it shut, laughing all the way. By the time we arrived, other cabins were already in place – each thoughtfully spaced out to ensure privacy in the middle of the vast, silent lake.
Night on the Lake and a Miracle
It was a beautiful moonlit night on the lake. Snuggled under the blanket, I kept gazing out from our cozy bed – the vast frozen lake, rimmed by distant hills, looked like another world under the silver light. I kept looking out every now and then to see if the clouds had cleared. But it was always the moon playing hide and seek with the fluffy clouds. I kept drifting off to sleep, then would be jolted awake to check the sky again. It was our last chance to see Aurora on this trip and I silently wished for a miracle.
At around 11:30 PM, Sush spotted a faint aurora on the Lake Inari webcam. When I looked out, I could see a green ribbon on the sky, it was faint, but it was there. We updated in the Whatsapp group and rushed outside. By this time, the aurora had gotten stronger and the sky had become clear with only a few cloud patches here and there. The green light started dancing in the most incredible forms, spreading across the sky. I could not believe it was finally happening! The biting cold, the frozen lake, the glittering snow in the moonlight, the stars and the celestial show above – our last aurora experience was everything I expected and more. That night we fell asleep looking at the magical sky, grateful and smiling.
A Magical morning and Goodbyes
I opened my eyes to a beautiful orange sunrise. Stepping outside, I was met by the setting moon still hanging low on the opposite horizon. Last night still felt like a dream. But this morning, the rising sun, the setting moon and snow crunching under my boots told me how real all of this was. The lake and the surroundings donned a different glow in the morning sun. And by the time, I was out of my thoughts, it was time to go back. The snowmobile started moving the cabin and I kept smiling ear to ear like a kid on a joyride 😀 .
Back at the base camp, we had a hearty breakfast and freshened up. As we waited, I picked up a poetry book lying on one of the tables. In this book, Finnish author Arja Kotiranta beautifully channels her longing for Finland’s raw landscapes – the silent forests, frozen lakes, soft fall of snow and the hush of northern winds. One line stayed with me – “We must leave to return.” The ache of leaving softened. My heart, which had been reluctant, found comfort in that simple truth. The shuttle ride to the airport was unusually quiet for me – not out of sadness, but because joy like this is hard to put into words. We let the final glimpses of Inari wash over us.
Know before you go
Great, but not cheap
We found the accommodation value for money considering the hospitality and the uniqueness of this whole experience. But do note that it’s not a low-cost escape.
With or without Northern Lights
We were lucky to witness a stunning aurora display on the night of our stay during peak season (2025). And that is what made the whole experience even more special. But since the Northern Lights can never be guaranteed, it’s best to go in with the right expectations. That said, the stay experience is amazing even without the aurora.
Be prepared for the cold
The cabin stays wonderfully toasty even with sub-zero temperatures outside. But stepping out at night is a different story – you’ll definitely need to bundle up. They do offer thermal suits if needed, but we managed just fine with our own winter gear in March. Just be sure to come well-prepared for the Arctic chill!
Food and Drinks
Breakfast is included in the stay, but other meals are not. I’d highly recommend pre-booking the dinner. It comes at an additional cost, but is absolutely delectable, with options like fish, reindeer, and vegan dishes. Plus, sharing a meal around the fire with fellow travellers from around the world is an experience in itself.
Since there are no other dinner options nearby, it’s best to plan ahead. And if you’d like to sip some wine or nibble on snacks while waiting for the Northern Lights, be sure to grab them from K-Market Inari on your way in.
Drinking water and reusable bottles are available in the dining room, so don’t forget to fill up and carry a bottle or two before your cabin heads out onto the lake.
Conclusion
We’ve stayed at some truly remarkable places over the years, but our time at Lake Inari Mobile Cabins easily takes the crown. The glass igloos in Finland were magical, no doubt – but this was on an entirely different level. It was unique, personal and refreshingly authentic.
It wasn’t just the setting, though that alone was extraordinary. What truly elevated our experience was the kindness and attentiveness of our host – always just a message away, and genuinely committed to making our stay special.
If I ever get the chance, I’d return in a heartbeat.
You can find our other blogs from Norway and Finland here.
