Ruka and Kuusamo

This vast touristic region is characterized by the abundance of snow in winter, and, consequently, the season duration. It is officially opened on November, 1, but often already in the end of October  cross country trails (300 km) and even some of 28 downhill trails are available for skiing.

Ruka became known as a ski center some decades ago due to the well-organized slalom school where now work more than 100 instructors.  Ruka is very popular among tourists with children: children’s trails are especially good here. Thus, there is an ice castle on one of the slopes with tunnels for skiing; the other slope is called the slope of mummitrolls. The height of Rukatunturi hill is 462 m. 

Kuusamo town is located among hills and lakes 25 km away from Ruka; it has its own airport (9 km). From Kuusamo tourists go on 4-6 days walking tours along Bear Path leading to the Ristikallio Rocks, Taivalköngäs Rapids, and Oulanka Canyon in the National Park (75 km).  From Posio town located near (it has an interesting museum of coffee sets) one may go on 2 days skiing or snowshoeing tour along the bottom of Korouma Canyon which cliffs rise up to 100m height; Reindeer Path leads tourists via Korsulampi to the camp with sauna where they may spend the night in a tent or dugout that has preserved since the war time.

In Kuusamo tourist are also offered other routes over the region. Hotels and hostels here are located at a quite long distance from each other. Those who come here just to downhill should better settle in Ruka to save time on getting to the place. 

Some of Ruka’s hotels stand at the distance of 20 – 500 m from lifts.  But Kuusamo also has the advantages: cross country trails here start just on the doorsteps, and transport connection with the whole Lapland is well developed.  Having settled in Kuusamo a tourist is able to participate in all the events offered by other resorts of the region.

Kuusamon Tropikki Holliday Club is the most popular center in Kuusamo due to its fitness center and water park. There is a swimming pool surrounded by palms and other southern plants in the center of the complex. From Kuusamo one may go on all kinds of safari: dog and reindeer sleds, riding horses, Finnish toboggan, snowshoes, motor sleds.