Rukatunturi

Understand

Ruka is part of the Kuusamo municipality, with the centre Kuusamo and the airport some 23 km to the south. Ruka got its first dauntless downhill skiers already in the 1930s, but it took until 1954 before the first prepared slope, the modern day Front Slope, was opened. The first ski lift was opened three years later, and a hotel-restaurant Kaltiomaja opened in 1962. Since then the resort has been steadily growing and the modern, pedestrian friendly centre was completed in 2010. The resort has been owned and developed by the Finnish company Aho Group since 1974. Ruka offers one of the longest skiing season out of many resort in Finland, over 200 days a year. The First Snow Track (Ensilumenlatu) is opened in early October and the slopes stay open until early May. The resort is mostly a winter sports centre, but since the 2000s Ruka has been developed and marketed as a summer destination as well. Ruka is the second most popular ski resort in Finland (after Levi) having 23,000 beds, 35 slopes, 125 kilometres of cross-country ski tracks, some 30 restaurants, and 549,000 registered nights a year (in 2018–2019).

1 Ruka Info, Rukatunturintie 9 (in the shopping centre Kumpare), ☏ +358 8 860-0250, [email protected]. 10:00–19:00. The official tourist information of Ruka.

Getting there

The simplest way to get to Ruka is to fly to Kuusamo and take the pre-booked airport bus to Ruka. If you travel by train from southern Finland, the nearest train stations are in Oulu, Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi; also Kajaani may be an option. At Kemijärvi, passengers arriving on the night train can take a direct 2-hour bus connection to Ruka. There is also bus connection from Oulu (3h), Rovaniemi and Kajaani (3,5h) to Kuusamo centre. You can bring your car on some of the trains. Driving from southern Finland will take around 10 hours. All bus connections can be checked from Matkahuolto.fi/en.

Getting around

Ruka’s pedestrian village is a convenient place to spend your holiday, as all essential services are within easy walking distance. Getting around the fell is easy on foot, skis or bike with the gondola, which operates daily during both the winter and summer seasons. In winter, the gondola typically operates from 9:30 to 23:00, and in summer from 10:00 to 21:00. Also Talvijärvi is close to the slopes. Some accommodations are some 5 km away, more suitable for those coming for cross-country skiing or other activities. In the Ruka area, a ski bus operates from late November until the end of April and can be used free of charge with a valid lift pass or ski equipment. Single tickets are also available.

By bus There are two coach connections a day on weekdays between Kuusamo and Ruka. There is also a dial-a-ride service available from Kuusamo to Ruka. It can be ordered using Matkahuolto Trip Planner and Tickets mobile app. The passenger can pick up the ride up to five days, can check availability at any time, and secure the ride as well as the seat just by ordering transportation. The app always shows the final binding price before confirming the order.

By taxi Smartphone app: Taksini is available from App Store and Google Play. Other apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi. 2 Otaxi Ruka, ☏ +358 100 84200. Ruka taxi station is operated by Oulu regional taxi company Otaxi. (updated Feb 2021)

See

Although the highest hills here are often referred to as fells, there are no true fells here. However, the adjacent peaks of Ruka massif are by far the tallest hills around. The views from Valtavaara are well-known. Also the views from Juhannuskallio and from Konttainen are very nice. You can also enjoy the views from Ruka. In Juhannuskallio there are also caves, the biggest one known as Pirunkirkko ("Devil's church").

Fells 1 Konttainen. Peak 407 metres a.sl., about half a kilometre from the popular hiking trail Karhunkierros. The northernmost peak in the Ruka massif belongs to Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Protection Area. 2 Valtavaara. The peak at 492 metres is famous for its views. A lush Surmanoro gorge (up to 40 m deep) is located here, on the north-west side of the hill. There is a "lapp pole hut" and a day hut on the peak. Belongs to Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Protection Area. 3 Rukatunturi. Climbing up to 500 meters a.sl, Ruka is the highest hill around. Even though it isn't a true fell, human action has once turned the top into a treeless heath, and there are great views to surrounding landscape. The hiking trail Karhunkierros starts from here and heads to the north. 4 Pyhävaara. Peak 461 m a.sl. The southernmost peak in the Ruka massif belongs to Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Protection Area, and is assumed to have been a sacred place – a sieidi – to the Sami people. Avoid leaving the marked trail as the rocky terrain might be dangerous and there are some very rare plants growing around. There is a "lapp pole hut" on top of the secondary peak Pikku Pyhävaara.

Do

In winter, the most popular activities are downhill skiing and snowboarding. Ruka’s slopes offer plenty to see and do, including a reindeer enclosure, fire pits, Ruka Snow Valley, the iconic large Ruka sign, and stunning views of the Valtavaara Nature Reserve. For families and beginners, there is a dedicated training area with a children’s playground, a fun tubing slope, and a hut for snack breaks. More advanced riders can enjoy Finland’s most popular street and snow park, Ruka Park, as well as Ruka Park Junior. In addition to downhill skiing, visitors can enjoy evening sledging on the slopes as well as the Ruka Coaster, which opened in summer 2025. There is also a large cross-country skiing route network (90 km). In summer the beautiful nature provides a lot to do, e.g. visiting Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Reserve.

Observe and photograph Aurora borealis during long winter nights. Downhill snowsports and cross country skiing Ski pass sales, Rukakyläntie 8, [email protected]. The place to buy ski passes for the Ruka slopes. From single run adults €10 to 5/7 days adults €250. (updated Jan 2026) Piste Rental Shop (PisteVuokraamo), Rukankylnätie 17 (Next to Village2Valley Gondola station), ☏ +358 400-101-605, [email protected]. Children's equipment, alpine skiing, carving, snowboarding, snow surf, telemarking, cross country skiing, helmets, goggles, outdoor wear. (updated Jan 2026) Vuosseli Rental Shop (Vuosseli Vuokraamo), Jussinkuja 5, ☏ +358 400-101-610, [email protected]. The rental shop of Eastern Ruka. (updated Jan 2026) Ski School Ruka, Rukankyläntie 17, ☏ +358 400-101-635, [email protected]. 10:00–16:00. Private lessons and lessons for groups. Alpine, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemark and adaptive skiing. Private lessons 30 min €43 - 2h45m €201. (updated Jan 2026) Saarua–Valtavaara–Saarua skiing trail. 10-km demanding classic and freestyle cross country skiing trail. No lights. Campfire shelter at Valtavaara. Connects to other cross-country skiing trails in

Buy

1 Sale Ruka, Rukanriutta 7, ☏ +358 10-763-3222. M-F 08:00-21:00, Sa 08:00-18:00, Su 12:00-18:00. S-group groceries store in Ruka.