Ruka & Kuusamo - Follow the Coordinates to Snow & Nature

Your breath comes out in clouds as you come to a stop in the deep snow atop the tall hill. There are no trees up here to break your vision, and the grandeur of the valleys and Finland’s southernmost fells roll away in every direction. This is Ruka and Kuusamo: thrilling ski slopes, endless cross-country skiing trails and dramatic, pure wilderness. Best of all, you never have to stray far from the resort comforts and conveniences that make your holiday great.

ABOUT RUKA & KUUSAMO

The Ruka and Kuusamo area gets the most snow in all of Finland, a country well-known for its snow. As a result, Ruka Ski Resort and nearby Oulanka National Park are genuine winter wonderlands, full of fluffy snow and excitement.

The ski season lasts more than 200 days, and the the carbon-neutral Ruka Ski Resort is the perfect place to test your skills on the slopes–all 35 of them. With 22 ski lifts operating 10 hours a day, Ruka Ski Resort offers challenges for every level, from families and first-timers to the pros. Or lock onto a snowboard and try out the pipes. Just don’t forget your GoPro!

In addition to slopes and pipes, you can discover so much in the authentic Scandinavian wilderness around Ruka. Cross-country skiing trails and snowmobile tracks thread throughout the region, connecting all the villages and towns while leading to stunning silent wilderness locales. Fatbikes also offer a way to get your heart pumping while you traverse the trails and head up the fells, even in midwinter.

Just because the snow lasts 200 days a year doesn’t mean summer isn’t a blast! The natural offerings around Ruka and Kuusamo are unparalleled. Take a hiking tour through the Oulanka National Park or try your stamina on the 80 kilometer Bear’s Trail (Karhunkierros), Finland’s most popular hiking trail. When you see the stunning canyon vistas and traverse the dense old forest, you’ll understand why. The region is home to abundant wildlife, such as reindeer and elk. You might even catch a glimpse of Finland’s national animal on a bear-watching trip.

When you see the stunning canyon vistas and traverse the dense old forest, you’ll understand why. The region is home to abundant wildlife, such as reindeer and elk. You might even catch a glimpse of Finland’s national animal on a bear-watching trip.

THINGS TO DO IN RUKA & KUUSAMO

Sustainable Ruka & Kuusamo

The carbon neutral ski resort is only the beginning. Several companies and organizations in Ruka & Kuusamo have earned the Sustainable Travel Finland label. Learn more about Ruka & Kuusamo’s commitment to responsible travel.

PLAN YOUR STAY IN RUKA & KUUSAMO

Your holiday shouldn’t be an itemized agenda: experience this, eat that, enjoy this, expensive that. Your mind and your body need time to relax, to breathe in the purest air in Europe and exhale all the little problems and stresses that eat up so much of your time and energy.