Kuusamo · north-east Finland
Ruka
A magical alpine village built for travellers.
- Airport
- Kuusamo (KAO), 25 km
- From Helsinki
- about 1 h 15 by air
- Position
- 66°10′ N
- From Rovaniemi
- about 200 km by road
- Ski season
- Oct to May
- Ski slopes
- 41, with 22 lifts
The place
What Ruka is actually like
Ruka is one of the most popular and exciting winter destinations in Finland, located in the snowy hills of Kuusamo. Ruka is a magical alpine village built for travellers. Cars are not allowed in the centre of the village, so travellers can safely walk to restaurants, ski rentals or shops. It is a lively yet peaceful place where families, couples and adventurers come to experience the absolute best of Arctic life.
Cars are not allowed in the centre of the village.
Ruka is famous for having one of the longest winter seasons in Europe: it starts in October and ends in May. Ruka has 41 different ski slopes and 22 lifts, and there is a perfect hill for everyone, from easy hills for beginners to steep and fast slopes for expert skiers. Every year in late November Ruka hosts FIS Ruka Nordic, the World Cup season opener and a massive international winter sports event. During the dark winter months the slopes are lit up with bright lights, so you can enjoy skiing under the stars and the dancing northern lights.
Ruka is also known as the home of Santa’s Cottage. About half an hour’s drive from the resort, in the village of Vuotunki, you can visit the magical Santa’s Cottage at Pohjolan Pirtti, a cosy wooden cabin in the woods where visitors can meet Santa Claus on Thursdays and Saturdays from late November to late March. The most popular hiking trail in Finland, the Bear’s Trail (Karhunkierros), ends near Ruka; the marked start is at Hautajärvi, about 80 kilometres north, and it can be walked in either direction. Thousands of hikers come every year to walk through its wild forests. Ruka is not only for winter: in summer you can take a ski lift to the top of the mountain to enjoy breathtaking views and slide down a thrilling toboggan track. Ruka offers unforgettable memories every year.
What you do
What to do in Ruka
Skiing leads, but the forests are what people remember. Book safaris early for December and February.
Where to sleep
828 places, in four kinds
Every place to stay in and around Ruka, ranked so a strong score from hundreds of guests beats a perfect one from a single review.
Hotels & lodges
26 places · from €48 a night
Reception, breakfast, a restaurant that stays open in the dark. Resorts, lodges and guest houses too.
Pictured: Ajakka · 9.4
See all
Apartments
193 places · from €77 a night
Your own kitchen and washing machine, in the village or close to the slopes.
Pictured: Studio apartment in Kuusamo · 9.8
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Cabins & holiday homes
606 places · from €79 a night
Log walls, a stove, a sauna. Villas and chalets count here too. The Lapland stay.
Pictured: Villa Konttaisenranta · 9.7
See all
Budget & unusual
3 places · from €123 a night
Hostels, campsites, holiday parks, homestays. Fewer of them, cheaper, and often the better story.
Pictured: TEERI, Nuoriso- ja luontomatkailukeskus Oivanki · 8.9
See allGetting here
Four ways to Ruka
Fly to Kuusamo
Kuusamo airport is 25 km from Ruka, with flights from Helsinki and direct winter flights from several European cities.
Search flights
By train
There is no station in Kuusamo. The nearest are Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi and Oulu, and coaches cover the rest.
Times and tickets
By bus
A daily coach runs to Ruka from Kemijärvi railway station, about two hours. From Rovaniemi the weekday bus goes to Kuusamo centre, with a local bus on to Ruka; a direct ski bus from Oulu runs on winter Saturdays.
Times and tickets
Driving yourself
Winter tyres are the law from November, and we would not recommend driving unless you have driven on ice before.
Rent a car
Taxi from Rovaniemi · our own car
From Rovaniemi airport
to Ruka, door to door
Landing in Rovaniemi? We drive the 200 km to Ruka for you. Type your arrival and your address here: the fare shows straight away, and you book it in the same box.
- We watch the flight
- Give us the number and a late plane costs you nothing.
- Straight to the door
- Your cabin or hotel in Ruka, not a bus stop.
- Up to eight people and the bags
- Six with a suitcase each. Child seats and skis if you say so in the booking.
When to come
When to go to Ruka
The ski season starts early and runs late, and summer belongs to the trails and rivers.
Winter
December to March
Snow-loaded spruces, the full safari season, and the World Cup opening in late November just before it.
Spring
April to May
Long bright days on deep snow, with skiing often lasting into May.
Summer
June to August
The Bear’s Trail, river paddling, and June nights when the sun barely sets this far south.
Autumn
September to November
Ruska turns Oulanka red and gold in September, and the aurora returns as the nights darken.
The sky tonight
Northern lights, honestly
Activity peaks near Kp 5.3 around 03:00, clearest 23:00–01:00 (8% cloud).
Kp now
2.67
live, every minute
Peak tonight
5.3
around 03:00
Cloud
17%
while dark
Dark
20:00–04:00
in Ruka tonight
Sun 09:02 Finnish time. Every number is read from NOAA and MET Norway and refreshes on its own.
Where to eat
Eight places to eat in Ruka
Our picks. A name opens the restaurant's own site, where the hours and menus live.
Riipisen Wild Game RestaurantRuka villageRukatunturintie 6, 93830 RukatunturiWebsite
Restaurant Rukan KuksaRuka villageRukatunturintie 12, 93830 RukatunturiWebsite
CAMP Kitchen & BarAt Ski-Inn Hotel RukaValleyBistrotie 2, 93830 RukatunturiWebsite
Restaurant VespinoAt Ruka ChaletRukatunturintie 12, 93830 RukatunturiWebsite
Restaurant RUOK BurgerRuka villageRukankyläntie 6, 93830 RukatunturiWebsite
Pizzeria RukaRuka villageRukatunturintie 4, 93830 RukatunturiWebsite
Hanki BaariRuka villageRukankyläntie 11, 93830 RukatunturiWebsite
BASE Eat & HeatTop of Saarua, at the gondola upper stationGondola upper station, Saarua, 93830 RukatunturiWebsitePlaces to visit
Places to visit in and around Ruka
Six places, from Santa’s cabin in the woods to two national parks and the top of the fell.
Santa’s CottageSantaSanta’s Cottage, at Pohjolan Pirtti in Vuotunki village, is deep in the quiet woods about half an hour from Ruka. It is a cosy wooden cabin where you can meet Santa, bake gingerbread cookies and sing songs.
Lammintupa Winter VillageFarmThe perfect place to experience a traditional Arctic farm, open in winter. You can take a husky sled ride, feed the friendly reindeer and enjoy warm berry juice by a cosy open fire.
Oulanka National ParkNatureOulanka National Park is about 30 kilometres, a 25 to 30 minute drive, from Ruka village. The park features roaring waterfalls, huge river canyons and spectacular hanging bridges that you can walk across.
Riisitunturi National ParkNatureRiisitunturi National Park is famous for its stunning winter views. In winter all the spruce trees are covered with thick ice and heavy snow, which makes the place look out of this world.
Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature ReserveHikeValtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Reserve is right next to Ruka ski resort. Valtavaara is one of the highest peaks in the area, and a scenic trail leads hikers all the way to an old wooden hut at the top.
Ruka PeakViewRuka Peak is at the top of the fells, and this scenic spot offers an amazing view over the entire valley.Before you come
The things nobody tells you
The first three are worth sorting out before you fly. The rest you only need to know.
Travel insuranceBook before you flyValid worldwide, for citizens of any country, at any age from 0 to 100.Check your cover
Phone and dataBook before you flyEU and EEA phones roam free here. From further away, or on a plan without EU roaming, an eSIM usually costs less.Get an eSIM
Renting warm clothesRuka AdventuresThermal overalls, winter boots, woollen socks and mittens, rented for a day or for the whole week. Rent them here instead of packing a parka you will wear four times.See the sets
What the cold meansMinus 20 degrees is normal from January to March. From the middle of January to the middle of February some winters go to minus 30. Wool next to the skin, then a warm layer, then a windproof one, and the cold is beaten. With the proper clothes, enjoy the beauty of the winter.
MoneyYou do not need to bring cash. Cards are accepted everywhere, including the taxi, the restaurants and the market stalls.
EmergencyCall 112 from any phone. You can speak English.
TippingTipping is welcome but not required. It is always encouraging to give something extra when the service was good, the taxi included.
Reindeer on the roadEvery reindeer here is domesticated and belongs to someone. In many cases they will not move for a car. If you meet them on the road, sound the horn to move them off, or drive slowly past. If you hit one, call 112 for help.
Questions
What people ask about Ruka
01
Which airport do you fly into for Ruka?
The closest airport is Kuusamo Airport (KAO), only a 25-kilometre drive from the resort. You can get to Ruka village by bus or by taxi.
02
Can I stay in Ruka without renting a car?
Yes, you can enjoy your holiday without a car. Ruka has a pedestrian-only alpine village where hotels, restaurants, shops and ski lifts are within walking distance. There is also a local ski bus. If you have a ski pass, you can ride the ski bus around the resort for free.
03
When does the ski season start in Ruka?
Ruka has one of the most extended winter sports seasons in Europe. The season starts in October and ends in May. Because of snow stored from the previous winter and advanced snow farming technology, the resort can achieve this longevity.
04
Does the Ruka gondola lift go all the way to the top of the mountain?
Partly. The scenic gondola lift travels between Ruka Village (on the west side) and Ruka Valley (on the east side), with a top station on the summit of Saarua, one of Ruka’s four peaks, where you can get off; the BASE Eat & Heat restaurant is there. If you want to reach the highest peak of Ruka fell itself, take the Village Express chairlift.
05
Are dogs allowed in the restaurants and on the trails in Ruka?
Yes, Ruka is one of the most dog-friendly destinations in Finland. In winter there is a special dog-friendly cross-country ski track on frozen Lake Talvijärvi, and in summer dogs are welcome on the hiking paths on a leash.
06
How far away is Oulanka National Park from Ruka?
Oulanka National Park is about 30 kilometres, a 25 to 30 minute drive north of Ruka village. In summer, from late May to the end of September, a Karhunkierros bus, booked a day ahead, takes hikers from Ruka to the famous Bear’s Trail; in winter only the ski buses run.
07
Can you take a passenger train directly to Ruka?
No. There is no direct train connection to Ruka. But you can take a train to Kemijärvi, where a daily coach continues straight to Ruka resort in about two hours, or to Rovaniemi and change buses in Kuusamo.
08
Where is the best place to do a big grocery shop in Ruka?
Ruka village has small shops for basic items. For large family grocery shopping it is better to visit a large supermarket like Prisma or K-Citymarket in the centre of Kuusamo, about a 20-minute drive from Ruka village.
Guest scores come from the booking sites the places are listed on. Aurora and weather come from NOAA and MET Norway and refresh on their own. The airport taxi is our own car at the meter tariff.