Ruka

With a season extending to over 200 days each winter, Ruka offers snowsure skiing just to the south of the Arctic Circle and a vast range of off slope activities.

weatherForecast today: Generally clear

  • Max temp: -3 °c
  • Min temp: -7.8 °c
  • Last snowed: Thu 14 Mar
Last Updated: Tue 19 Mar

weatherForecast today: Generally clear

  • Max temp: -3 °c
  • Min temp: -7.8 °c
  • Last snowed: Thu 14 Mar
Last Updated: Tue 19 Mar
  • 2%Easy
  • 46%Beginner
  • 37%Intermediate
  • 15%Advanced
  • In 2019, the ski season started on 4th October – making Ruka one of the first ski areas to open in the northern hemisphere.

     This says a lot about the snow reliability of this compact resort and is one of the main reasons why it is such a popular destination. It is located in between the town of Kuusamo (which is where you’ll fly into) and the Arctic Circle and is not far from the Russian border, ensuring cold weather and fantastic ski conditions throughout the winter.
    The slopes may only cover 19km, but offer decent variety and with so much to do away from the pistes there’s no chance of getting bored during your stay here.
    With everything from snowmobiling to ice skating, Ruka offers a fantastic range of winter activities – this is not just a ski destination, it is a real winter holiday destination.
    • BeginnerBeginner
    • Fast liftsFast lifts
    • IntermediateIntermediate
    • Resort ActivitiesResort Activities
    • AdvancedAdvanced
    • AprésAprés
    • SnowSnow
    • ValueValue

    Pros and cons

    • Resort is seeing a lot of upgrades both on and off the slopes
    • Limitless options for off slope activities
    • Accommodation is ski-in-ski-out and is lively when busy
    • Small ski area will frustrate keen skiers
    • Can be dark and bitterly cold in the middle of winter
    • Slightly harder to get to than other Finnish resorts further north in Lapland

    Resort Statistics

    • Total Piste Length: 19km
    • No. of Lifts: 18
    • Altitude: 291m – 492m

    Resort Webcams

    Click on the link below to view webcams from Ruka

    Skiing and Snowboarding

    Although the vertical drop is modest and barely tops 200m, there is good variety in the Ruka ski area and access to the slopes was improved significantly with the new Village Express Chair and Scenic Gondola – both built for the 2018/19 season. Most of the slopes are equipped with snowmaking (the resort also stores snow throughout the summer to help open even earlier) and the vast majority are floodlit to ensure they are skiable even in the depths of winter. For beginners, a nice zone is located near the new Ruka Valley development – don’t worry if you’re staying in Ruka Village as you can now take the Scenic Gondola up and over to the other side.

    Intermediates then have the pick of the resort’s runs to choose from. The Masto and Pessari reds are often less busy than the main runs so are good bets if there are lots of people about. Advanced skiers and riders will be frustrated here unless the park is their thing – if so Ruka is home to one of Finland’s top freestyle areas, as well as a halfpipe.

    Ruka Resort

    Most people tend to base themselves in Ruka Village, the original heart of the resort. Here is where much of the accommodation can be found, as well as the best restaurants and bars – which can become lively at weekends and when the resort is busy. New accommodation has been springing up at Ruka Valley, where it is hoped 1700 new beds will be created in the coming years, creating an attractive alternative base to the main village. Lots of cabins are also available.
    As with other Scandinavian resorts, the off-mountain activities in Ruka play as big a role in your winter holiday as the skiing. A staggering 600km of snowmobile routes are ready for visitors, as are 159km of prepared cross country trails – 40km of which are floodlit. To make the most of your stay, be sure to check out the weekly activity programme (click_here) which includes reindeer safaris and traditional wood-fired sauna experiences.

    Getting There

    Flights are available to Kuusamo from which is less than half an hour from Ruka.

    • Kuusamo airport: 30 minutes

    Resort (291m)

    Tue 19 Mar Wed 20 Mar Thu 21 Mar Fri 22 Mar Sat 23 Mar Sun 24 Mar Mon 25 Mar Tue 26 Mar Wed 27 Mar Thu 28 Mar
    AM PM Night AM PM Night AM PM Night AM PM Night AM PM Night AM PM Night AM PM Night AM PM Night AM PM Night AM PM Night
    Weather weather
    Generally clear
    weather
    Mainly cloudy
    weather
    Mist
    weather
    Broken clouds
    weather
    Rather cloudy
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Rather cloudy
    weather
    Broken clouds
    weather
    Mainly cloudy
    weather
    Light snow
    weather
    Light snow
    weather
    Light snow
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Rather cloudy
    weather
    Rather cloudy
    weather
    Rather cloudy
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Rather cloudy
    weather
    Broken clouds
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Partly cloudy
    weather
    Broken clouds
    weather
    Occasional snow
    weather
    Rather cloudy
    weather
    Mainly cloudy
    weather
    Mist
    Wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0 cm 0 cm 0 cm 0 cm 0 cm 0.2 cm 0.4 cm 0 cm 0 cm 0.3 cm 1.3 cm 1.6 cm 1 cm 0.5 cm 0.5 cm 0.4 cm 0.3 cm 0.8 cm 0.5 cm 0.5 cm 0.5 cm 0 cm 0.5 cm 0.8 cm 0.3 cm 0 cm 0.2 cm 0 cm 0 cm 0 cm
    Max temp -3°c -3°c -6°c -1.6°c -1.4°c -1.8°c -0.2°c 0°c -1.8°c -0.8°c -0.6°c -1°c -1°c -0.8°c -2.2°c -3.6°c -3.6°c -5.4°c -4.2°c -4.2°c -6.2°c -3.6°c -3.6°c -6°c -2.2°c -2.2°c -4.2°c -1°c -1°c -2.8°c
    Min temp -7.8°c -6.2°c -6.2°c -6°c -2.6°c -2.6°c -2°c -1.8°c -4°c -3.6°c -1.2°c -1.2°c -1.4°c -2.2°c -4.6°c -5.2°c -5.4°c -7°c -8°c -6.2°c -6.8°c -6.8°c -6°c -6.4°c -5.4°c -4.2°c -5.2°c -4.6°c -2.8°c -3.4°c
    Feels like temp -15.9°c -9°c -13.1°c -12.9°c -7.6°c -9.2°c -7.9°c -5.4°c -7.2°c -8.8°c -6.4°c -6.8°c -6.1°c -5.9°c -7°c -10.7°c -8.5°c -10.6°c -12.6°c -8.5°c -11.8°c -12.4°c -8.7°c -11.5°c -10.7°c -7.1°c -9.1°c -9.4°c -5°c -6.7°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0 cm 0 cm 0 cm
    Max temp -3°c -3°c -6°c
    Min temp -7.8°c -6.2°c -6.2°c
    Feels like temp -15.9°c -9°c -13.1°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0 cm 0 cm 0.2 cm
    Max temp -1.6°c -1.4°c -1.8°c
    Min temp -6°c -2.6°c -2.6°c
    Feels like temp -12.9°c -7.6°c -9.2°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0.4 cm 0 cm 0 cm
    Max temp -0.2°c 0°c -1.8°c
    Min temp -2°c -1.8°c -4°c
    Feels like temp -7.9°c -5.4°c -7.2°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0.3 cm 1.3 cm 1.6 cm
    Max temp -0.8°c -0.6°c -1°c
    Min temp -3.6°c -1.2°c -1.2°c
    Feels like temp -8.8°c -6.4°c -6.8°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 1 cm 0.5 cm 0.5 cm
    Max temp -1°c -0.8°c -2.2°c
    Min temp -1.4°c -2.2°c -4.6°c
    Feels like temp -6.1°c -5.9°c -7°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0.4 cm 0.3 cm 0.8 cm
    Max temp -3.6°c -3.6°c -5.4°c
    Min temp -5.2°c -5.4°c -7°c
    Feels like temp -10.7°c -8.5°c -10.6°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0.5 cm 0.5 cm 0.5 cm
    Max temp -4.2°c -4.2°c -6.2°c
    Min temp -8°c -6.2°c -6.8°c
    Feels like temp -12.6°c -8.5°c -11.8°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0 cm 0.5 cm 0.8 cm
    Max temp -3.6°c -3.6°c -6°c
    Min temp -6.8°c -6°c -6.4°c
    Feels like temp -12.4°c -8.7°c -11.5°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0.3 cm 0 cm 0.2 cm
    Max temp -2.2°c -2.2°c -4.2°c
    Min temp -5.4°c -4.2°c -5.2°c
    Feels like temp -10.7°c -7.1°c -9.1°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    AM PM Night
    Weather weather weather weather
    Wind wind wind wind
    Snow expected 0 cm 0 cm 0 cm
    Max temp -1°c -1°c -2.8°c
    Min temp -4.6°c -2.8°c -3.4°c
    Feels like temp -9.4°c -5°c -6.7°c
    empty-state-x

    Ski Club members only

    Join and get access to events and more

    Resort Conditions

    Snowfall Last Snowfall 14/03/2024
    Next 3 days 1.7 cm
    Depths Upper piste depth 40 cm
    Lower piste depth 40 cm
    Snow conditions Snow quality Hard packed
    Lifts Lifts open 20 out of 22
    Resort opening date Fri 06 Oct 2023
    Resort closing date Sun 05 May 2024

    Avalanche Forecast - Norway

    The most up-to-date avalanche forecasting for this region is provided separately by agencies in each country

    Avalanche Forecast - Sweden

    The most up-to-date avalanche forecasting for this region is provided separately by agencies in each country

    Avalanche Forecast - Finland

    The most up-to-date avalanche forecasting for this region is provided separately by agencies in each country

    Showing 75 discounts

    Bolle1

    Bollé

    40% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    MicrosoftTeams-image (104)

    Alps2Alps

    10% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    AlpyTrasnfers1

    Alpytransfers

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    RhinoCarHire1

    Rhino Car Hire

    15% discount for all Ski Club Members

    SpaceshipRentals1

    Spaceship Rentals

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    LechtSC1

    Lecht Ski Company

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    ProFeet1

    Profeet Ski Boot Lab

    15-20% discount for all Ski Club Members

    SnowTrex1

    SnowTrex

    £50 off for all Ski Club Members

    HotelSilberhorn1

    Hotel Silberhorn

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Aphex1

    Aphex Gear

    £30 off any pair of APHEX Snow Goggles for Ski Club Members

    imbrace snow

    Imbrace Snow

    £15 off all products for all Ski Club Members

    SkiExchange1

    Ski Exchange

    5-10% off hard and soft goods for all Ski Club Members

    Boomerange1

    Boomerang on Snow

    5-15% off holiday and 15% off ski school for all Ski Club Members

    Whiterides1

    Whiterides

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    SummitSkiSnowboard1

    Summit Ski & Snowboard School

    10% discount on all lessons for all Ski Club Members

    AltoSki1

    Alto.Ski

    50%  discount on keycards and 15% discount on ski pass tickets in Aprica

    Vallon1

    VALLON

    15% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Freedom1

    Freedom Snowsports

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    GibbonsLife1

    Gibbons Life

    15% discount for all Ski Club Members

    SNO1

    SNO

    5% Ski Holiday Discount to all Ski Club Members

    Trixski1

    Trixski Ski Accessories

    15% off for all Ski Club Members

    Infiniski1

    Infiniski

    30% discount for all Ski Club Members

    GoslingSP1

    Gosling Sports Park

    5% discount on private lessons for all Ski Club Members

    Logo_CalaisVins_HD (2)[1]

    Calais Vins

    Exclusive discounts for all Ski Club Members

    TracksandTrails1

    Tracks and Trails

    5% discount for all Ski Club Members

    BensBus1

    Ben’s Bus

    5% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Stance1

    Stance Socks

    25% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    MSTEKO1

    MOUNTAIN SPORTS & TEKO

    20% discount for all Ski Club Members

    IgluSki1

    Iglu Ski

    5% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Carv1A

    CARV

     £40 discount to all Ski Club members

    IbexTransfers1

    Ibex Transfers

    10% discount on transfers for all Ski Club Members

    AbsolutelySnow1

    Absolutely Snow

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    EASkiSnow1

    EA Ski+Snowboard Training

    $500 USD Discount Off for all Ski Club Members

    Snowcoach1

    Snowcoach

    5% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Millets1

    Millets

    20% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Impulse Alpine

    £15 off discount for all Ski Club Members

    Stoked1

    Stoked Mountain Experience

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Inghams1

    Inghams

    5% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Ski Quest 2022 Logo Pill

    Ski Quest

    FREE Ski Quests for all Ski Club Members

    SkiYodl1

    Ski Yodl

    £100 discount for all Ski Club Members

    CotswoldOutdoor1

    Cotswold Outdoor

    15% discount for all Ski Club Members

    GoOutdoors2

    GO Outdoors

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    RoofBox1

    The Roof Box Company

    5% discount to all Ski Club Members

    ChillFactore1

    Chill Factore Manchester

    15% off for all Ski Club Members

    PandaOptics1

    Panda Optics

    15% off all products (including sale items) for all Ski Club Members

    EmovisTag

    Emovis Tag

    10€ discount for all Ski Club Members

    SnowCentre1

    The Snow Centre

    10% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    DFDS1

    DFDS

    10-33% transportation discounts for all Ski Club Members

    Fatmap1

    FATMAP by Strava

    A 60 day free trial for all Ski Club Members

    PowderExtreme1

    Powder Extreme

    10% off week long free ride camps for all Ski Club Members

    MicrosoftTeams-image (105)

    Snow Shepherd

    20% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    Blacks1

    Blacks

    20% discount for all Ski Club Members

    SNOWCAT1

    SNOWCAT Clothing

    15% discount for all Ski Club Members

    SandownSports1

    Sandown Sports

    15% discount off all lessons for all Ski Club Members

    Lockwoods1

    Lockwoods

    15% off products at Lockwoods

    SnowClothingHire1

    Snow Clothing Hire

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    FrontierSki1

    Frontier Ski

    5% off  holidays for all Ski Club Members

    Telford Ski & Snowboard Centre

    Up to 10% off for all Ski Club Members

    AlpineResorts1

    ALPINRESORTS.com

    5% extra discount for all Ski Club Members

    Outdoor1

    Outdoor Swiss Ski School

    10-20% off group and private course, rentals and packages for all Ski Club Members

    BWSW1

    British Water Ski & Wakeboard

    25% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Dartbus1

    Dartbus

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    RunnersNeed1

    Runners Need

    15% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Snowpro1

    Snowpro Fitness

    15% discount for all Ski Club Members

    SkiPeak1

    Ski Peak

    5% discount for all Ski Club Members

    DuchSport1

    Duch Sports

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Superfeet1

    Superfeet

    20% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    Sqi1

    SQI

    15% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    BlackDiamond1

    Black Diamond

    15% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    LittleSkiers1

    Little Skiers

    15% discount on all orders over £100 for all Ski Club Members

    PEEQ1

    PEEQ Sports

    15% discount for all Ski Club Members

    SkiLifts1

    Ski-Lifts

    10% off all products for all Ski Club Members

    APH1

    Airport Parking & Hotels

    Up to 20% discount for all Ski Club Members

    logo 300×285

    Get Transfer

    7% discount for all Ski Club Members

    MaisonSport1

    Maison Sport

    10% discount for all Ski Club Members

    Ready to become a member?

    Let’s discover the best option for you