Arctic Retreat

Sitting beside the dramatic Raven rapid on a bend of the Rane River, and surrounded on all sides by dense forest, Arctic Retreat has a truly stunning setting.

Your home here is a stylish log-and-glass cabin, which combines traditional construction and design with contemporary touches and modern Scandi-style furniture. There are just three guest cabins, which adds to the sense of serenity, with each one looking out over the lake through large windows.

For even greater immersion in nature, you can take in the views from your outdoor hot tub. Inside, the cabins are lovely and cosy, with an open-plan design and wood-burning stoves to curl up in front of with a book.

Arctic Retreat is a homely sort of place, and that extends to mealtimes, when owner Liza cooks up hearty fare that is just the thing after a day spent exploring the wilderness. The Lappish cuisine makes use of the berries, fungi and plants found in the nearby forests – lingonberries, in particular, make for delicious juice and jam – and the game that lives there, like reindeer. Locally caught fish often crops up on the menu too.

Each cabin has its own outdoor hot tub, while there is also a communal sauna where you can warm up and unwind in classic Scandi style. Massages can be arranged – perfect after a day’s hiking – while yoga sessions are an ideal way to start a day out in the natural world.

The programme of activities varies according to the season, as tends to be the case in the Arctic. The long winter nights, combined with the remote location and clear skies, are perfect for spotting the great natural wonder that is the Northern Lights, while the snowy landscapes can be explored with snowshoes, skis or husky sleds.

Autumn is the time for foraging for berries and mushrooms in the forest, while summer sees the ice melt, allowing for kayaking, fishing, and rafting – and the chance to experience the ethereal Midnight Sun.