Now, Arctic Tourism Grows as Skýra Retreat Opens on Lake Norvajärvi Near Rovaniemi

Published on November 26, 2025

The Skýra Retreat, Lapland, Finland’s newest boutique accommodation, is due to open in December 2025. Just outside Rovaniemi, Lapland’s tourism hub, Skýra Retreat is a unique accommodation experience, integrating Scandinavian design, Finnish heritage, and a focus on well-being centered on the Finnish wilderness. The Retreat is serene and atmospheric, located on the shores of Lake Norvajärvi.

The Skýra Retreat is uniquely positioned to capture the attention of wellness and design-centric visitors as well as those in search of deep winter experience in European wilderness. The Retreat’s seclusion and location within the Arctic circle, and alongside a frozen Scandinavian lake, are destined to capture the admired seasonal wonder of Finnish Lapland, including the revered sauna and deep wilderness culture, snow-covered forests, and outdoors, and the Northern Lights.

A Boutique Retreat Immersed in Nature

Skýra Retreat is located at the edge of the tranquil landscapes of Lake Norvajärvi. It is built to provide guests with personalized exposure to the essence of Nordic minimalism and the natural beauty of Lapland. The retreat’s design purposefully features natural building materials and windows that offer spectacular views of the wilderness. With only a handful of suites and cabins, the property was designed to maximize privacy, peace, and a sense of connection to the natural world.

Guests will appreciate views of the frozen lake in the winter and the summer’s midnight sun, making the property a perennial favorite among nature lovers. The property is situated on a lake and provides easy access to a diverse array of activities, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking, along with opportunities to observe wildlife.

A Focus on Finnish Wellness and Heritage

Finnish cultural traditions, along with the wellbeing practices of the region, are the focal point of the activities offered at Skýra Retreat. Incorporating Finnish philosophies that promote a sense of balance, simplicity, and connection to nature, the retreat develops a unique perspective on wellness that is enriched by the numerous experiences made available to guests. The retreat also provides amenities such as traditional sauna, lakeshore ice baths, and guided forest bathing (metsäkylpy).

The dining will also be inspired by our Finnish heritage with menus featuring the regional Arctic ingredients for each season. Guests will have the opportunity to try dishes inspired by Lapland`s culinary traditions featuring reindeer, Arctic char, and cloudberries, and complemented by foraged herbs. All this served in an interior created to reflect the unity of food and culture with nature.

The gateway to Arctic Adventures

Skýra Retreat, just outside of Rovaniemi, offers close proximity to several of Finnish Lapland`s most famous travel experiences. Rovaniemi, known around the world as the home of Santa Claus, is a frontrunner in winter tourism and Arctic activities. Guests at Skýra Retreat can experience:

Northern Lights Tours. Rovaniemi`s winter landscape creates a stunning backdrop for views of the aurora and, with minimal light pollution, the retreat is the perfect setting for supernatural views.

Husky and Reindeer Safari. Sledguided reindeer experiences and rides through the snow-covered reindeer and husky are an exciting way to traverse the Lappish landscapes.

Snowmobiling. A popular winter pastime, snowmobiling offers opportunities for exploration and admiring untouched winter landscapes.

Arktikum Museum and Science Centre. A Rovaniemi attraction, this center honours the culture, history, and the environment of the Arctic.

Santa Claus Village. A centre point of winter tourism, this attraction is popular with families and Christmas travelers.

The resort will serve visitors adrift between conflicting desires – adventure and relaxation. They will offer packages that offer outdoor activities and restorative wellbeing experiences.

Design First Hospitality in the Arctic Circle

Skýra retreat is to be the only place in Lapland that balances hospitality and design in the most sustainable manner. This to eco-conscious travelers is a breath of fresh air. The architecture as vastu is no impact with the environment as it is to be designed with a low carbon eco footprint and utilitarian to efficiency renewable energy. The inner culture and spirit of the place will be Nordic as it is the craftsmanship, the plus is the interior will be made with local sustainable sourced natural architecture to tie back to the spirit of the earth while incorporating the artistry of the eco culture of the surrounding area.

The size of the retreat allows the staff to be able to customize the experience to the whim of each and every single guest. They will be able to offer made to measure packages including private activities on demand and self-led curated touring. Skýra retreat will cater to every desire in finding the balance between active and passive tourism in a base and environment which is natural and unspoiled.

The exceptional and unexpedicted tourism activity in the winter is Lapland’s offering of winter activities, and in particular phenomena like the northern lights. The new Skýra Retreat tourism offering will be a base to experience the new global trend offerings of immersive design focused hospitality, outdoor adventure wellness tourism experiences focused on nature and wellness travel, boutique hospitality, and nature tourism.

While winter activities will continue to be a primary attraction, retreat will provide a wider range of summer activities as well, including canoeing, hiking, foraging, and midnight sun photography. Autumn activities will include the picking of various berries, forest walks, and the experiencing of the ruska, which is the unique and vibrant autumn foliage display in northern Finland, comparable to the Tennessee fall foliage in the US.

With the retreat only a short drive from the Rovaniemi airport, international travelers will enjoy the added benefit of direct seasonal flights from a number of major European cities. Such travel accessibility only adds to the region’s developed tourism network, and further solidifies Lapland’s reputation as a primary destination for travel to the Arctic.

Conclusion

The scheduled opening in December of 2025 of the Skýra Retreat will be a welcome addition to Finland’s developing tourism sector, as the retreat will provide guests with a significant escape to a fine example of Nordic architecture combined with locally sourced custom made furnishings from Finland, and will be set in the unforgettable Arctic with the unique natural environment of Finland. The retreat closes to the city of Rovaniemi and is located directly on the northern medieval lake Norvajärvi, and will be a major attraction for those of all walks of life, and from all over the world, who are seeking a quality stay that is not only sustainable, but that offers a unique culturally crafted shopping experience in what is called the Lapland of Finland.

The Access to the region’s iconic attractions, combined with the retreat’s intimate natural setting atmosphere, and a nature-centered philosophy, will provide Skýra Retreat with a Bright Future, as it will become a quality destination for all seasonal holidays, as well as, the for including well being travel in this increasingly in high demand area in the Arctic.