Travel magazine for Ruka and Kuusamo
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www.matkailulehtiruka.com
The magic of winter in Ruka and Kuusamo
2019
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Winter 2019
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The magic of winter in Ruka and Kuusamo
s winter arrives in Kuusamo and Ruka, it’s time to get ready for the holidays. Winter tourism in Ruka and Kuusamo represents the best in the whole of Finland. Along with the most popular ski resort in Finland, the area offers possibilities for several winter activities. The beautiful nature of Kuusamo calls to the independent traveler although sign-posted routes and their services are very popular in the winter too. Apart from downhill-skiing and snowboarding, the area offers endless possibilities to enjoy a variety of winter activities. Event organizers will plan a conveni-
ently relaxed and wintery holiday to match every taste. The cozy pedestrian village in Ruka sits at the heart of winter sports and the centre of tourism. Visitors can easily access services on foot and leave their cars in a car park with a capacity for 320 vehicles under the pedestrian village. A wealth of restaurants and shops line the streets of Ruka Village. The variety and quality of services in Ruka make it one of the most popular centres of tourism in Finland.
Not far away, Kuusamo provides fine hotel accommodations as well as the Tropiikki spa, promising some warmth in the middle of winter. Small special-
ized shops along with big markets meet the needs of even the most demanding customers, and the surroundings of Kuusamo market place offer a good environment for getting around town. Tourists will find Nature and winter activities even in the town centre. A network of cross-country skiing tracks as well as snowmobile routes extend all the way to into the city. You can reach Kuusamo conveniently by SkiBus from Ruka. The SkiBus that runs around the fell also shuttles people between Ruka and Kuusamo. Journeys on the routes indicated in the time-table are free in the Ruka area.
Untouched Snow and Blue Glow
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now makes everything look pure and peaceful. When these sparkling ice crystals cover the ground and trees, Oulanka National Park gets wrapped in magical quietness. The only sounds that break the silence are the crunching snow under your winter boots and the soft wing strokes of curious Siberian jays flying from one tree to another. The snow-covered forests around seem endless, and the crispy air feels unbelievably fresh. While walking along the well-marked day trails of Oulanka, you can feel Finland’s wilderness right around the corner.
The top trails for short day hiking in Oulanka National Park The Kiutaköngäs Trail (2 km) See the wild-flowing Oulankajoki river and the rumbling Kiutaköngäs rapids, Oulanka’s widely known main attraction, with its spectacular red dolomite cliffs and ice formations. The trail, which is a part of the Hiiden Hurmos Trail (5 km), starts from Oulanka Visitor Centre. If the trail feels too short, you can walk the whole Hiiden Hurmos circular trail instead and add three kilometers. The Pieni Karhunkierros Trail (The Small Bear’s Trail) (12 km) Have you ever crossed a hanging bridge? On this trail three of those bridges span the Kitkajoki river to
give you a completely new perspective on the wildly flowing water and the astonishing rapids. Along this trail you can see the Jyrävä waterfall, where the water drops approximately 9 meters, and the very photogenic Myllykoski rapids near an old mill. The starting point of the trail is in Juuma. In Riisitunturi National Park you enter the truly magical winter world formed by candle-shaped spruces carrying heavy loads of snow. Hike to the top of the Riisitunturi fell, and the vista spread out before you might take your breath away: on a cold winter day a pastel palette washes the horizon with an amazing range of hues. Who knew such colors exited! When dusk descends, new shades of blue and violet dye the snowy landscape. Even as midnight nears, this natural carnival of colors continues: on a cloudless night, you might see bright green and yellow northern lights swirling and dancing while stars twinkle in the background.
A pro tip about the trip to Riisitunturi National Park The Riisin Rääpäsy Trail (4,3 km) takes you into the beautiful scenery of the Riisitunturi fell. The top of the fell is easy to reach in winter and makes a good place for observing the beautiful colors of this fascinating season, from the blue moments of the polar night to
the magnificent light shows of the aurora borealis.
How to prepare for a day hike in winter conditions Wear warm clothes, preferably in multiple layers, so you can adjust if you start to feel too warm while hiking. During the polar night, the sun rises only for a couple of hours during the day and does not rise at all in the far north. Because the days are short in winter, and darkness falls fast, it is good to have a headlight with you. Walking in the snow demands a lot of energy, so remember to pack enough food and water with you. Hot chocolate in a thermos bottle warms both body and soul. If you want to make a fire at a marked campfire site, remember to bring matches. In the beginning of the winter you might be able to walk the trails without snowshoes, but later on you will need to wear them to stop you from sinking into the deep snow. More information about the hiking trails of Oulanka and Riisitunturi National Park: Oulanka Visitor Centre (Oulangan luontokeskus) Liikasenvaarantie 132, 93900 Kuusamo Tel. +358 20 639 6850 oulanka@metsa.fi www.facebook.com/oulanka www.nationalparks.fi/en/oulankavisitorcentre
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It is a pleasure to drive on well-maintained trails with good snowmobiles Snowmobiling is in full swing in midwinter although the daylight is still short, and the sunnier spring days will take a while to arrive.
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port House Ruka snowmobiles are on the move every day from nine in the morning to six in the evening. Snowmobiling is one of the, if not the, most popular activities in the North. – We arrange guided safaris, but we also rent snowmobiles to people who have previous experience with snowmobiling and want to make a trip with their colleagues, friends, or families, says Mika Valonen.
Some 500 kilometers of maintained snowmobile trails wind through Kuusamo, so riders can enjoy a variety of landscapes. The trail network is free for everybody as the town pays for the maintenance of the trails. Having experienced the many pleasures of the gorgeous terrain, snowmobilers do not return from the wilderness looking morose. Still, they often express one request: – There is a call for more places to take a break along the trails, spaced suitable distances apart. We often get that feedback from our customers. Sport House Ruka arranges trips of various durations from short spurts to several-day safaris. A one-day trip gives snowmobilers enough time to visit the Russian border, for in-
stance. – To a customer who rents a snowmobile we suggest a trail suited to the rent time and provide a trail map.
Snowmobiling is a safe hobby, as long as the laws and regulations are heeded. Sport House Ruka reserves time for instructions in order to avoid unpleasant incidents. Snowmobiling has clearly increased in popularity the past few years. Women as well as men enjoy it. Whole teams of women often ride together. The age limit for snowmobiling is 15, and the driver must have at least a T driver’s license. In practice, all snowmobilers on the fell are adults. Snowmobiling has been become more popular, not only because of the growing network of well-maintained trails, but also because of improvements in equipment. Sport House Ruka is one of the first safari houses to move to four-cycle engine machines. – Modern snowmobiles are really pleasant to drive. They are quiet, smokeless, powerful and easily steered. If it has been a while since you went snowmobiling, it’s time to test out the new machines and experience the landscape from new perspectives! www.rukalla.fi
welcome
BOOK YOUR DINNER IN ADVANCE AND RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY TAXI RIDE.
Restaurant Peak is a small restaurant with a unique location on top of the Ruka mountain with a warm and vibrant athmosphere. Our menu consists of handmade delicious food made of first class local ingredients. See our food & wine menus, opening hours and book a table through our website. We offer a complimentary taxi ride one-way when booking a table for dinner in advance using booking code: #freeride.
The easternmost point of Kuusamo snowmobile trails is located at Kuntivaara.
www.rukapeak.fi +358 (0)8 868 4100 info@rukapeak.fi
See the only polar bears in Finland and 50 other arctic animal species in the middle of snowy forest.
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Approx.
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Mastering snowshoeing equipment and technique
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agnificent, snowy nature in Kuusamo starts at the cottage door. And the whole family can head into it on snowshoes. Snowshoes and snowshoeing are purely positive. First of all, snowshoes work well in all conditions and terrains. Second, they are easy to store and carry along, and they are always ready for use, so letting you begin your trek in no time at all. Additionally, snowshoeing is good for the joints and well suited to less well-conditioned folks, but it is still 60 % more effective exercise than normal walking and provides a chance even for athletes to work up a good sweat. Snowshoeing offers even more health benefits because, when poles are used, the upper body and hands are strengthened, movement of the thoracic spine improves, circulation in the upper back revives, and the shoulder and back muscles relax. Best of all: snowshoeing suits the whole family!
A pleasant snowshoe hike starts with the correct choice of equipment. Rental shops provide good equipment and instructions for a day walk, but those who want to buy their own snowshoes should first consider thoroughly a few factors. First of all, the intended use of the shoes: will they be used for workouts or even for running? It is also worthwhile to consider the snow conditions and frequency of use. Other factors to be taken into account are naturally the snowshoer’s size, age and physical condition, as well as the desired price-quality ratio.
RICHER TASTE
Open everyday 11-23 www.pizzeriaruka.fi www.facebook.com/pizzeriaruka
A shorter snowshoe works well on hard terrain, but thick powder snow requires a longer shoe: the bigger the size of the snowshoe, the better it rides over the snow. The recommended sizes for recreational snowshoeing are 18-19 inches for children, 21-25 inches for women, and 25-36 inches for men. Good snowshoe models have spikes on the bottom. Climbing steep hills requires a greater number of spikes. Considering the pricequality ratio, it is good to bear in mind that quality usually costs. In quality shoes the frame and strap system can be easier to use than those in the cheaper models. The more expensive snowshoes are often also sturdier and last longer. The snowshoe strap ought to be easy to use and reliable. The best way to find snowshoes that feel good is to try out different rental pairs.
Snowshoe need not be just personal hobby equipment but can be used by all family members unless the family goes snowshoeing together.
Poles enhance performance in snowshoeing and help maintain balance. Suitable poles are telescopic Nordic walking poles equipped with a spiked tip and a ring, adjusted to be about 50 cm shorter than the height of the user. Shoes used for snowshoeing should be sturdy hiking boots that support the ankle well. When the equipment has been assembled, technique practice begins. The best way to get on track is to find a tutor, but it is also possible to learn solo. The basic rule is to walk normally but to drag the feet a little. If you can walk, you can also walk on snowshoes! However, it is good to remember certain hints, especially when going up and down hills. Skills learned in skiing can be forgotten, as you don’t climb up a hill with your feet turned to the side but pointed straight ahead instead. Press the tip of the shoe firmly against the hillside and lean your body slightly forward. Take short steps. The walker using poles always brings the pole behind the leading leg. The opposite hand and leg do the work, and at least two points are constantly in contact with the snow. Let’s forget about skiing also going downhill. Going down you don’t make a wedge but take a sitting position, in other words lower your bottom and bend your knees. Let the spikes on the snowshoes sink into the snow so that your body’s center of gravity rests on your heels. The poles should stay behind the median line of your body; don’t try to brake with them. The pleasant snowshoe hike is crowned by enjoying a packed-in lunch in a sunny resting place. And upon returning home or the cottage, it is good to clean the snow off the shoes and keep them outside, ready for the next trip! Snowshoes are reasonably maintenance-free, but it is good to oil the leather parts periodically, and in case of mishaps it is wise to pack the rucksack with spare parts and repair tools – and of course learn to use them before the trip, so you do not find yourself dumbfounded in the middle of nowhere. Source: Suomen Latu
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Frost by the rapids S
team rises from the rapids in the midwinter cold and frosts the landscape white, but a small black-and-white bird dives into the water from the icy edges. Sometimes it’s chirping can be heard above the roar of the rapids. It is the whitethroated dipper, diving for food on the river bottom. In Oulanka National Park the best places to watch the white-throated dipper’s wintry activities are the rapids of Kiutaköngäs and Myllykoski that stay open throughout the winter. They make the best day trip destinations in the park, well suited to families with children.
The magic of the river landscape, the joy of the winter time! Oulanka visitor centre, tel. int. + 358 206 39 6850, oulanka@metsa.fi
The distance from the nearest parking lot to both Kiutaköngäs and Myllykoski, the latter along the Small Bear Trail, is about one kilometer and can usually be walked in winter shoes. The trails to the rapids normally stay hard packed by hikers’ feet through the winter although the trails are not officially maintained in winter. Poles and/or studs in the shoes may make the going easier in the hilly sections of the trails. The easiest place to begin the trek to Kiutaköngäs is the Oulanka Visitor Centre parking lot and to Myllykoski the parking lot at the end of Juumantie. You’ll find places to pause near both rapids where you can make a fire and have something hot to drink.
Oulanka National Park
nationalparks.fi/oulanka
Kitkajoki. The churning rapids do not freeze even in the winter. (Photo: Tauno Kohonen) A word of warning to those walking near the rapids: the ice shelves formed by the edges of the river are fragile, carved underneath by wa-
ter, and will not support the weight of a walker. So, let’s leave the river ice to the whitethroated dippers and stay safe on the marked trails!
Enjoy the enchanting
”kaamos”
Photo: Metsähallitus, Hannele Kytö
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uring the kaamos, or the polar night, the sky fills with magnificent light phenomena and soft pastel shades. In midwinter nature hibernates, and people can also follow suit and quiet down. Sit by the fire and look at how the red on the horizon dims into many shades of violet, finally turning into bluish gray. In the scant snow of early winter, visitors can reach fantastic destinations on foot. Pack along not only a lunch but warm
spare clothes too and a headlight, as the day is at its shortest. Next, some tips to enjoy the fantastic light phenomena of the kaamos.
throughout the year. A couple of hundred of meters from the rapids a lean-to shelters visitors as they enjoy their packed-in lunch by the fire.
Kiutaköngäs rapids, lined by red cliffs, powers the heart of Oulanka National Park where wintry works of art created by ice and snow and the blue moments of the afternoons create a misty feeling. The one kilometerlong trail leading to Kiutaköngäs starts in the yard of Oulanka Visitor Centre and is passable
In December, Oulanka Visitor Centre presents the photographic exhibition “Luontokuva sillanrakentajana – Metsäsuhteita Koillismaalla” by Janette Backman and Kalle Immonen. The photographic exhibition Kuusamo Nature Photo 2018 is also open until the end of the year.
Candles create the atmosphere POSIO Tehtaanmyymälä Maaninkavaarantie 3 KUUSAMO Outlet Huoparintie 1 | pentik.com
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Sustainable tourism guarantees snowy winters for everybody in the future!
As of this year, Ruka is a carbon neutral ski resort For the environmentally aware modern person, Ruka is a ski resort of good conscience, as it is computationally carbon neutral from this year on.
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en years of active environmental work underlie Ruka’s awesome achievement. Ruka was not the very first carbon neutral ski resort in Finland, as Pyhä – Ruka’s sister fell – got there first. What comprises Ruka’s carbon neutrality, then? It is a sum of many factors. Since 2009, Ruka has used environmentally-friendly hydroelectricity complemented by wind energy. Most of the Ruka Centre buildings depend on bio district heating using woodchips; other buildings rely primarily on geothermal heating. The CO2 emissions caused by the use of machines and equipment are compensated for according to the Gold Standard Certificate recommended by the WWF. Ruka takes into account all aspects of its environmental impact, whether it be snowmaking, machines and equipment use, slope lighting, and even waste management. The following list details the actions Ruka has taken to guarantee a future of snowy winters for everybody!
Measurements Effective improvement of ac-
tivities depends on accurate measurement. Ruka pays close, around-the-clock attention to energy consumption, using sensitive measuring devices to calculate the total operation’s use of electricity, water, and heat as well as the fuel consumed by the slope machines. An accurate measurement system helps to meet the energysaving goals. Ruka’s goal is to reduce energy use by 7.5 % during 20172025, in accordance with the European Union’s Energy Efficiency Directive.
Preserved snow Obviously, snow is a critical factor for a ski resort. Experiments on preserving snow through the summer were conducted at Ruka for the first time in the summer of 2016. The technique proved successful, and the preservation of snow has become an important part of Ruka’s energy savings and snow guarantee. Snow takes less energy to produce in January during optimal conditions than in the warm and humid conditions of the early season. Preserving January’s snow for use in the next season makes good environmental sense. The automated snowmaking machines, for their part, react to the weather conditions
and optimize energy efficiency and water usage. Snow-making is automated on six slopes already.
Slope machines The two-cycle snowmobiles used for slope management and grooming have been replaced by four-cycle ones, thereby cutting the fuel consumption in half. The amount of fuel used to maintain the slopes has also been reduced through the implementation of an incentive program for personnel. Furthermore, technology also helps optimize the efficiency of work done by slope machines. For example, the PistenBully snowcats’ SNOWSAT system allows the driver to see the thickness of the snow cover to the centimeter in real time. This information helps drivers spread snow evenly and allows management personnel, who have access to the same data, to plan and coordinate work to achieve the greatest efficiency.
Slope lighting The slope lighting has been automated to maximize energy efficiency. The lighting technology is also updated as the equipment nears the end of its working life. Saarua and the front
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Preserving snow produced in the optimal conditions of January is environmentally friendly and at the same time guarantees snow on the fell. (Photo: Veera Vihervaara)
Compact village architecture factors significantly into Ruka’s carbon neutrality. slopes already have new lights. Engineers study leading-edge lighting techniques at the Ruka Centre and are working to develop the best possible systems for Arctic conditions.
Traffic The landscape gondola Village2-Valley, inaugurated this winter, also reduces energy use. Pedestrians, skiers, and bikers can use the gondola to travel, for example, from Ruka Village to Ruka Valley’s Rosa & Rudolf Family Park in a carbon neutral way. Before the gondola, the corresponding trip required the use of a car or the SkiBus. This winter season, the gondola will run until 23.00, cutting down car and taxi traffic on surface roads and making possible getting from East Ruka to the amenities of West Ruka on foot. In addition, those who come to Ruka by car can leave their cars in the Ruka parking structure and take the gondola to East Ruka. Keeping cars in the minimally-heated parking hall diminishes the fuel emissions caused by cold ignition.
Accommodation A big part of the carbon neutrality comes from accommodation. The Ruka Ski-Inn apartments represent Finland’s most environmental-friendly ski resort accommodations, as the carbon footprint caused by their energy consumption is zero. The apartments use hydroelectricity and wind energy and are heated by wood chips. Furthermore, the location of the apartments within walking distance of the ski lifts di-
minishes the need to drive a car.
Recycling All Ski-Inn apartments have sorting bins and instructions for recycling glass, metal, cardboard and paper. The recycling stations are located in the immediate vicinity of the apartments. The TuottoOmistus model of the Ski-Inn apartments, where privately-owned holiday apartments are rented throughout the year, offers an ecologically responsible choice because it diminishes the need for more construction by combining privately owned and rental apartments.
Waste management Last but not least, comes waste management. Instead of mixed waste, flammable waste is collected in Ruka and transported to Oulu eco power station for burning. The energy harvested in the process is used to produce electricity and district heating. Burning the waste diminishes the stress on landfills, and the energy contained in the waste is captured and used. Nearly all kinds of mixed waste such as plastics and dirty cardboard boxes can be combined with the flammable waste. At Ruka bio waste material is also sorted to go with the flammable waste. Ruka’s new wastewater treatment plant opened in 2016. The plant’s treatment process, following strict licensing requirements, is particularly suited to Ruka, where the wastewater flow fluctuates a great deal and the temperature of the waste water at the treatment plant is low.
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A busy year for ceramic
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he current manager of Bjarmia, Kaisa Valkama-Kettunen, just celebrated her tenth year as an entrepreneur. She took over the company founded by her mother Aini Valkama in 2008. – My tenth year as an entrepreneur was pleasant and busy. We at Bjarmia have a good team, we launched a number of new products. This was a good year to look both backward and forward.
Kaisa Valkama-Kettunen presents Bjarnia’s new birch vase, a special run of which was used as prizes at the Ruka Nordic winter sports games.
Speed and joy on the ice karting track
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n last year, an ice karting track opened at Lammintupa. Visiting it is a must for the whole family! The karts race around an ice field a stone’s throw away from the Lammintupa ski trail café. – Karts driven on ice are in principle the same as the karts driven on dry land although some adjustments have been made for winter conditions including studded tires and a
slightly higher clearance, says Joni Heiskanen.
Ice karting can be done slowly, fast, or anything in between. – Some drive peacefully in a row, but more experienced drivers may speed around the track. – Many male customers have been amazed by the power of the karting cars. They have big and powerful four-cycle engines.
Ice karting has no age limits, but drivers must be at least 150 cm tall in order for their feet to reach the pedals. Drivers more than two meters tall may have to raise their knees uncomfortably high.
The ice karting track is open at Lammintupa from Monday to Saturday, with advance booking from 9-11 and without booking from 11-15,
The most important of Bjarmia’s new products is the birch vase. Not just because of the design, but also because the creation of the vase was such an
and there is no limit for participants. The driving starts continuously, and a ten-minute drive costs 25 Euros. Coveralls, helmets, boots, and gloves are included in the price. – We have ten cars, of which eight can race on the track simultaneously. The track is some 500 meters long, iced on a onehectare field.
After 15.00 teams with a minimum of four drivers can book the track for their own use. Then they can have a race, including
arduous project. – It took us three years to develop the vase, Kaisa laughs. – The material is black clay, which is a material unlike our other products. The firing temperature is different than that of other materials, and we had to experiment time and again to find the right temperature. The next thing you know, the glazes did not work with the new material, and the product batches failed again. However, Kaisa refused to give up, and in the end her perseverance was rewarded. The birch vase is so personal, gorgeous, and valuable that it got a delightful honor this winter. – We made a special run of
a warm-up round, qualification round, and the finale. The electronic timing system guarantees the recording of each lap time, and the winner’s time will be measured within a hundredth of a second.
Next to the ice karting track is the popular Lammintupa ski café where visitors sit down by the fire after the driving to relive the adventures of the track and to enjoy delicious, freshly baked doughnuts with hot chocolate.
Ice karting is raced on an ice field near the Lammintupa ski trail café.
There can be eight karting cars on the track at the same time.
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workshop
Bjarmia
the vases with the Ruka Nordic logo, and they were used as the Nordic prizes in all the sports!
Other new Bjarmia products include the Ölkyn onnelliset series that are easy to slip into Santa’s sock by the mantelpiece. The series includes a sauna stove stone made of clay and the first completely original textile product in Bjarmia’s history, the Ölkyn onnelliset sauna bench cover. The sauna stove stone is naturally produced by Bjarmia, and the sauna bench cover is made in Finland. – With our first ever textile product I considered it important to stick to the same prin-
ciple as our Wild Food family launched last spring: we wanted to produce it as near Kuusamo as possible, or at least in Finland. This year, the Wild Food product family got two new gloggs: the Pakkas Glogg with the taste of wild blueberries, and the Artisan Glogg, tasting of spiced blackcurrant.
This year’s international high point for Bjarmia was a visit to Japan’s Nordic Fair event held at one of the country’s biggest shopping centers. – Japan has an ancient ceramics tradition, and our discussions with the clients were about glazes, firing clay, firing temper-
atures, all a lot more technical than with Finnish and European clients. – In Japan Finnish craftsmanship and Finnishness were also greatly appreciated. It was a nice surprise that our exacting birch vase received such special attention in Japan. – When I got there, they came to greet me happily and showed me that the birch vase had been placed in their Internet front page for the event. Dozens of products from Nordic Countries were shown there, so our birch vase got singled out for great praise.
Frosty trees and ice dams
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uusamo’s impressive hills, covered with snowladen trees, make a sight known well in Finland and abroad. Several marked trails in the Kuusamo region lead into the heart of this beautiful landscape, taking the hiker both to the peaks of the high hills and the rapids of the valleys. The six-kilometre-long Pyhän Jyssäys is a snowshoe trail
suitable for the whole family, leading from the Ruka cottage area through an old spruce forest to the top of the PikkuPyhävaara hill. That high vantage point provides a view of Pyhävaara’s holy top and the Kuusamo lakes. In clear weather the peaks of the Riisitunturi fells come into view. The view from the top of the six-kilometre Valtavaara
Huiputus trail extends far over Kuusamo to the Russian side of the border in the east. In humid winter conditions snow freezes on the trees and gives the Valtavaara forests a fairy tale charm. On clear nights the bright moonlight enhances their mystery. The Valtavaara snowshoe trail is suited to a hiker looking for small challenges but huge experiences.
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The mystery of the vanished gamekeeper and new ways to move in the snow
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Almost anything to the fell in an hour
WE SERVE
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We are a property maintenance and cottage booking company in Ruka area. Our number 24/7:
+358 40 59 66 911
Rental cottages, villas and holiday apartments, housecleaning & property maintenance from garden work to firewood, construction and renovation services
www.ruka911.fi | Rukatunturintie 12, 93830 Rukatunturi
n addition to mystery solving, Escape Room Kuusamo now offers new snow sports to try out. The company rents snow skates and gliding snowshoes that give a new feel to the familiar snow. -The snow skate is a kind of skiing boot with a length of a slalom ski attached to the sole, Kaarlo Koivuranta explains. The snow skate is a relatively new Norwegian innovation by Sled Dog. The skates have already been in use in Southern Finland and Levi, but now you can test them out in Kuusamo. Markku Pirhonen from Jyväskylä brought the snow skates to Finland. – If you can skate with ordinary skates or roller skates, you can skate with snow skates, Koivuranta explains. – Snow skates are easier to pack then slalom skis. We have a handy rucksack designed to carry them. And, of course, your skis will definitely not get crossed, since there are none! The threshold of starting snow skating is low, as the sport is easy to learn. Indeed, it is rapidly becoming a winter hobby for the whole family.
In their selection of rental equipment, Escape Room Kuusamo offers another innovation for moving in the snow gliding snowshoes that combine ordinary snowshoes and forest skis. They are designed for untouched snow and make climbing even the steeper slopes easy. You can glide downhill on them, too, moving faster than
ample praise. – There was also one fourstar review, but the person reviewed only the Facebook page, not the place itself, having never actually come here, Koivuranta laughs. The wilderness theme of the mystery has an exotic appeal, especially for foreign tourists, but Finnish travelers have also been interested in the disappearance of gamekeeper Olli Varg.
Kaarlo Koivuranta presents the new hits of the season: the snow skates and the gliding snowshoes. you can on snowshoes. Moving through a dense forest with gliding snowshoes is easier than with forest skis because you don’t have to go around trees. In practice, the gliding snowshoes are handy because their adjustable straps fit boots of all sizes and models. They are complemented by extendable ski poles that can be adjusted to the size of the skier.
Escape Room Kuusamo’s main attraction continues to be the exciting escape game and the solving of a wilderness mystery. The mystery room, opened last year, has had a brilliant reception. On our Facebook pages it has by now earned no less than 36 five-star reviews and
Fridge full of food and wedding day flowers delivered Mikko Lämsä (left) and Marko Törmänen install cupboards in a cottage. Ruka911 offers their customers help with almost any kind of task. Just call and ask!
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uka911 is a property maintenance and cottage booking company operating in the Ruka area, but it is also a lot more. – In addition to property maintenance and cleaning, we do almost anything the customer asks, says Mikko Lämsä, manager of Ruka 911 Property Maintenance. – We answer our hotline every day around the clock, and our aim is to fulfill the customers’
needs. For example, we can deliver food from restaurants to a cottage, and we have even delivered forgotten wedding flowers or books of condolences. Callers don’t have to be a Ruka911 contract client to get services. They can contact us through our hotline +358 40 59 66 911 or on the website. Anyone in need of property maintenance or other services can easily and quickly reach us. – As for bigger projects, it is
The Escape Room Kuusamo mystery is all about finding hidden objects, solving puzzles and figuring out clues. Planned exceptionally well, the task entertains children, young people, the middle-aged and elderly alike. – People have come here pushing prams, and the oldest visitor was about 80 years old. We have had teams where the youngest members were 60-year-olds. The mystery has been described as challenging but not impossibly difficult. The game is best suited to teams of 4-5 people, but even a team of two can succeed well. – A married couple told us they had managed to solve the mystery four minutes before the allotted time of one hour, Koivuranta says. No better way to succeed! The Escape Room Kuusamo mystery room and the new equipment for moving in the snow are located right next to the Kuusamo Tropiikki Spa. www.escaperoomkuusamo.fi
worth bearing in mind that we also do renovations. In the summer we did a lot of façade painting, and now in wintertime we are doing interior renovation. One mundane service customers could order more often, according to Mikko Lämsä, would help start their holidays effortlessly. – They can send us a shopping list, and we’ll make sure the fridge is stocked and ready for them. When the family reaches the cottage after a long drive, they don’t need to do anything but start enjoying their holiday straight away! Ruka911 has operated on the fell for ten years and changed owners a year ago, when Mikko Lämsä and Heli Maaninka started to run the company. The year has shown that there is plenty of work to be done here, often very important work at that. – Last Christmas Eve a family accidentally locked themselves out of the cottage, as the temperature fell to 20 below. Luckily, they found neighbors at a nearby cottage and called our hotline from there. We went and opened the door, and the family could continue their Christmas party! www.ruka911.fi
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New gondola connects east and west at Ruka
T
he most important Ruka Ski Center construction project, the landscape gondola Village-2-Valley, opened on Friday, November 11th. The ski lift, running over the fell and connecting the East and West Villages, facilitates fast travel from one side of Ruka to the other. Otto Lintunen, in charge of developing Ruka Center slope experiences, describes the benefits of the lift: -Before the gondola opened, tourists accommodated on the Vuosseli side of the fell could access the amenities on the west side of the fell only by traveling along surface roads via the SkiBus, a taxi, or their own cars. But now the environmentallyfriendly landscape gondola, powered by wind and solar energy, lets them move about without a car. The gondola also serves pedestrians. People can get on the lift on foot, in a wheelchair, or
with a pram and go, say, shopping or for a night out at a restaurant with their families. -The services of the West Village are now nearer to the tourists on the east side – a great new development.
In the beginning the gondola operated only when the slopes were open, but after Christmas it will run every evening until 11pm. -The gondola changes the way people can move around the ski resort. And as we are talking about the highest gondola lift in Finland, it offers a perfect way to admire the autumnal landscapes at dusk or the northern lights after the slope lights are turned off. The biggest benefit for slalom skiers is that they can now get from Ruka Village to the easy slopes of Vuosseli and Family Park in less than seven minutes. -The gondola especially makes it easier for families and international clients to visit on
Experience Finnish lifestyle
at Pohjolan Pirtti Countryside Estate
holiday without a car.
At its fastest the gondola takes travelers over the Saarua Peak and back in 6.6 seconds per meter. It makes a short stop at the Saarua top. The new Ski-Inn Hotel Ruka Valley is already being built in Ruka Valley Village; it will be ready for Christmas, 2019. The Ruka slopes and lifts are open every day from 9.30am to 7pm. In addition, the evening slope stays open on Fridays until 11pm. Watch the video about the Ruka reconstruction: https:// vimeo.com/300949773.
DAY AS A FINN Wed 10 am Baking local flat bread and sweet buns. Lunch of the day enjoyed with self baked goods. 80€/person, children -50%
EVENING AT THE COUNTRYSIDE Tue and Thu 5:30 pm Sauna Tour - Finnish sauna experience. Wild food dinner. 135€/person
pohjolanpirtti.fi - +358 400 451 126