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WELCOME TO RUKA-KUUSAMO!

This is a place where the seasons follow each other in rapid succession and nature offers memorable moments in each one. The winter season begins on Father’s Day, followed by cheerful pre-Christmas celebrations, while the FIS Ruka Nordic event fills the area with competition spirit.

Christmas arrives early for us, as international tour operators bring their guests to experience its magic. For me, one essential Christmas tradition is the great ham-roasting marathon — last year I roasted 30 hams, and this year I’m aiming even higher.

New Year’s celebrations open the door to a year full of adventure. Even the deep-freeze days of January don’t quiet down the fell of Ruka — outdoor hockey games, the breathtaking colors of the polar night, and all the favorite winter activities keep the atmosphere lively.

Spring brings sunshine, firm snow underfoot, and a packed program of events: the 90s Carnival, Romance & Erotica Weekend, Harmaa Rinne Festival, ski holidays, and great live performers on stage at Zone several nights a week. Easter, May Day, and the grand finale of the winter season are celebrated with full energy and joy.

At Rukapalvelu, we live by our values: we make our customers smile, take responsibility, achieve results, and succeed together as a team. These values shape the experiences that remain in the mind and heart, whether they are experienced in the silence of a snowy forest or in the nightlife of Rukankylä.

Every winter here is filled with magic and opportunity — come and experience it with us.

Jokke Kämäräinen CEO & Owner, Tailored Adventures Rukapalvelu

0400 175 548

Voit lahjoittaa summan, joka sopii sinullekympin tai tonneja

PANKKISIIRTO FI52 5206 0920 0190 65 viite 422141

MOBILEPAY Maksukoodi 42214

Pienelläkin summalla pääset mukaan TEKSTIVIESTI tekstaa numeroon 16588 10E KUUSAMO 20E KUUSAMO 40E KUUSAMO

Kuusamon luonto on maineensa veroinen.

Toimimme sen eteen, että puhtaan luonnon arvo tunnistetaan. Haluamme säilyttää sen tulevaisuudessakin meille kaikille jaettavaksi ja nautittavaksi. prokuusamo

Lisätiedot ja jäseneksi liittyminen www.prokuusamo.fi

The gift card can be used for all of our experience, accommodation and restaurant services. Check out the selection on our website Gift cards are valid for one year from the date of purchase

Go to the online store by scanning the QR code. Collect the desired amount in the shopping cart and easily order a gift card

A NEW GEAR HOUSE RISES IN RUKA – THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE UNDER ONE ROOF

Rukapalvelu is investing in an even smoother customer experience. CEO Jokke Kämäräinen shares insights about the brand-new building in Rukariutta, which brings together all essential gear and services under one roof.

“This is a place that has everything you need for your adventure – equipment, gear, and maintenance,” Kämäräinen explains. The Safari House in Ruka Village will continue to serve as the main meeting point and starting place for excursions, but the new Gear House in Riutta enables efficient outfitting for even large groups.

“At the moment, we can equip around 2,000 people at a time, and in the future, we’ll be able to serve up to 5,000

visitors arriving in the area.”

The decision to build the new facility was driven by practical needs: the old maintenance hall in Ruka Village had to be demolished to make way for a new hotel. The Rukariutta site was a natural choice for the new service building, and the plans now also include more accommodation. ’The planned accommodation complex is set to offer 24 apartments and 120 new beds,’ Kämäräinen says. Sustainability has also been a key focus in the design. The building is made of wood, and energy efficiency is ensured with air-to-water heat pumps and an intelligent heating system. The customer journey inside the building has been designed to be as smooth as possible:

upon entering the hall, guests can instantly see where everything is located. The route through the building is logical, allowing visitors to collect their equipment easily and head off to enjoy their holiday fully prepared. Kämäräinen sees the investment as a major step for long-term development. “Our operations focus on serving groups arriving through international tour operators. The Rukariutta area will become an important future development hub for us in Ruka. Family summer packages will drive our growth, and direct flight connections are opening up exciting new opportunities.”

One of the most memorable parts of the construction process, Kämäräinen notes, was the collaboration with a new partner. “It was amazing to watch the building go up in just a few hours. The Smartia team truly made an impression,” he says

GREETINGS FROM RESTAURANT ZONE!

This year we have celebrated Restaurant Zone’s 25th anniversary. We’ve looked back at unforgettable moments, but most of all, we’ve created many new ones. There’s a unique spirit at Zone: everyone is welcome just as they are. No one minds if your singing drifts off key or if you jump on the table to dance in celebration — that’s the true Zone vibe, where the best stories and memories are born.

Many of our guests have been part of the Zone family for generations. Tiiti shares this story:

“On Epiphany in 2003, newly settled in Ruka, I came to Zone with my son to celebrate his 20th birthday. I was instantly hooked on the atmosphere. My fear of public singing vanished when I performed Pieni mies for him, backed by two total strangers who joined in the chorus. Over the years my daughters became fans too — one even met her future Kuusamo-born husband while dancing on the table! My sister from the south also turned into a full-blooded Zone tribe member,

we’ve danced countless nights on those tables. And for the next 25 years, we’ll keep coming back, even if we have to roll in with walkers to sing!”

Stories like these make Zone what it is: a place for joy, laughter, and living life to the fullest.

We’re also excited for what’s ahead. Zone keeps evolving, always listening to our guests. This year we’ve raised the bar on

food quality, and under our new head chef Markku, we’re proud to serve dishes that truly impress.

The restaurant is open every day from 8:00 AM to 4:00 AM, and it requires a lot of flexibility, skill, and spirit from our team, but our staff always does it with energy and heart.That same good vibe spreads to everyone who walks through the door.

Our warmest thanks to all guests, artists

and amazing staff, who have been part of Zone’s 25-year journey.

Keep smiling — see you at Zone! Satu, Emilia and the whole Zone family

SAT 1.11. KOTIPELTO DUO

FRI 7.11. MIKKO POHJOLA DUO

SAT 8 11 FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

FRI 14.11. WOYZECK

SAT 15.11. TIGER PLAYS HURRIGANES

FRI 21 11 TAUSKI

SAT 22.11. TAKAMETSIEN TÄHDET

RUKA NORDIC party nights

THU 27.11. WALDO’S PEOPLE

FRI 28 11 THE BILEBÄNDI

SAT 29.11. THE BILEBÄNDI

FRI 5.12. ARTO LOUHELA DUO

SAT 6 12 ARTO LOUHELA DUO

FRI 12.12. PUOLIKUU

SAT 13.12. PUOLIKUU

FRI 19.12. BABLO

SAT 20.12. MIKKO POHJOLA DUO

FRI 26.12. SANNA & OKSAT BOYS

SAT 27.12. SANNA & OKSAT BOYS

WED 31.12. ASTE

FRI2 1 THE BILEBÄNDI

SAT 3.1. THE BILEBÄNDI

FRI 9.1. POJAT JA BASISTI

SAT 10.1. POJAT JA BASISTI

THU 15 1 TAUSKI

FRI 16.1. BON JOVI EXPERIENCE

SAT 17.1. ROCK THE NIGHT FRI 23 1 ISKELMÄPOJAT SAT 24.1. ISKELMÄPOJAT

90's carneval ruka

FRI 13.2. ROMANTIIKKAA & EROTIIKKAA

SAT 14.2. ROMANTIIKKAA & EROTIIKKAA

FRI 20.2. SÄÄTIÖN RYTMIKONE

FRI 13.3. EINI

SAT 14 3 JUKKA POIKA FRI 20 3 ELONKERJUU

FRI 3.4. CAT CAT

SAT 4.4. MEIJU SUVAS

FRI 10.4. TUURE KILPELÄINEN

SAT 11.4. TOMMI LÄNTINEN THU 16 4 POJU

FRI 17.4. YKSI TOTUUS

SAT 18.4. FAIJA 6 . - 7 . 2 .

NATURE, THE SEASONS, AND TRADITIONS GUIDE EVERYTHING I DO

For me, good food is about flavor, balance, and heart. Finnish cuisine made with a relaxed touch. I rely on local ingredients and want their character to shine through every dish.

When creating a menu, I think about what the season offers and how nature’s rhythm can be seen and tasted. I draw inspiration from old Finnish cooking — the flavors our mothers and grandmothers knew — reimagined for today’s table.

The taste of the North means nature, freshness, and the freedom of the wilderness. It’s found in wild berries, game, local fish, potatoes grown under the midnight sun, and foraged herbs.

In Kuusamo, we get fish from the lakes year-round, and game comes with the hunting seasons. Autumn brings berries; early summer offers nettles, rhubarb, and new potatoes. In winter, cellared root vegetables reach their best, and pickling lets us enjoy summer’s flavors even at Christmas.

I want every dish to tell a story that evokes a connection to nature and tradition. My cooking could be summed up in three words: heritage, wilderness, and Finnish flavor.

For years, Kuusamo was just a stop on my way north, until I realized it had everything I love: forests, lakes, and peace. I fish a lot, so this place feels like home. At home, I often cook fish, on the grill or in the oven.

My signature dish is lasagna, which is also a favorite on the lunch menu at Restaurant Zone, both for me and our guests. At Christmas, I always cure fish myself. One of my favorites is cured whitefish, served with organic rye bread, diced red onion, and horseradish sour cream.

Markku Käyhty Executive Chef

CURED WHITEFISH

Ingredients

• 250 g whitefish fillet

20 g salt

20 g sugar

A few sprigs of dill

• 5 crushed juniper berries

Instructions

Line a container with parchment and place whitefish fillets skin-side down. Mix salt, sugar, and juniper berries; sprinkle over fish. Add dill, cover, and refrigerate 24 hours. Slice and serve cold

HORSERADISH SOUR CREAM

Ingredients

• 20 g fresh horseradish (use more if pre-grated)

100 g sour cream

Salt and black pepper

Instructions

Grate horseradish into the sour cream, season, and let sit 2 hours before serving.

(for 5 servings)

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF SANTA’S SECRET WORLD

Snow drifts gently through the northern air. Lanterns glow along snowy paths, and the warm light of log cabins spills into the dusk. Laughter, sleigh bells, and the cheerful chatter of elves fill the air. Welcome to Santa’s Secret World, where Christmas truly comes alive.

A Dream Christmas for Irish Families

The magical Christmas village was created in partnership with the Irish tour operator Sunway. Last winter, the first groups of Irish families flew to Ruka to experience the true spirit of a northern Christmas. ”About 1,200 happy visitors joined us,” says Mika Määttä, Director of Business Operations at Rukapalvelu. ”We also continue our long-term cooperation with the British company TUI, though their program is a bit different.”

Feedback from last winter helped refine the experience. ”Irish families have high expectations for a Christmas trip, and we do everything we can to meet, or better yet, exceed them,” Määttä smiles. ”Our elves attend special training to master the Christmas spirit, and every detail is designed to create a warm and genuine experience.”

The goals are ambitious. In the coming years, December visitor numbers are expected to double, and the season will stretch from November to January.

A Perfect Home for Christmas Magic

Surrounded by ancient forests and traditional log buildings, this northern hideaway offers the ideal setting for the story of Christmas. ”These wooden halls have true history and soul,” Määttä says. ”They hold a warmth and mystery that cannot be staged.”

In Santa’s cozy office, families meet the man himself and take a keepsake photo.

”The children brought wish lists, drawings, even gifts for me. It was touching,” says Santa Claus, taking a short autumn break before the busy season.

Guests can send postcards from Santa’s Post Office, decorate cookies in Mrs. Claus’s Bakery, and meet Santa’s animal friends, reindeer and huskies ready to whisk guests through the snow.

A World Full of Elves and Stories

There is also Elf School, where visitors learn “Elphabet,” the elves’ own letters and numbers.

”In Elphabet, the letters go in a different order, and there is no number eight. We think it looks too much like a snowman!” laughs Elf Lotta Rahikkala

Stories are at the heart of everything. One of the most common questions is, How old is Santa? ”You can tell from Santa’s beard, and Mrs. Claus’s braids, that they have seen quite a few Christmases,” Lotta smiles. ”After six hundred years, even the elves have lost count. Mrs. Claus is just over a hundred years younger.”

According to legend, Santa keeps the key to his gift chest hidden here in the North. Forged long ago under the northern stars, it is the only key that can unlock the chest and release gifts to children around the world.

One Place, Endless Christmas Magic

Santa’s Secret World is proof that imagination, local expertise, and international teamwork can create something truly special. ”This is a shared effort,” Määttä says. ”Every elf, guide, chef, and organizer plays a part in the story of Christmas. It is an honor to bring the magic of Christmas to thousands of families and to share a piece of the North with the world.”

Group visits are available throughout the season, with a few dates still open: December 24, 26, 27, 29, and 30.

For more information and reservations, contact sales@rukapalvelu.fi.

UNFORGETTABLE VENUES FOR EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES IN NATURE

Rukapalvelu offers stunning settings for top-class corporate and private events

Discover our unique wilderness destinations:

✨ Atmospheric Kammi

✨ Soulful Pohjanseita

✨ Forest Spa with Three Saunas

✨ Daza of the Northern Lights

✨ Traditional Hippa Camp

✨ Summer Retreat Pohjantähti

We make it easy: you dream it, we make it happen

Find out more by scanning the QR code.

Image: Santeri

Mikkonen

FROM CITY LIFE TO KUUSAMO – KIRSI’S STORY

When Kirsi Manninen moved from Helsinki to Kuusamo in 2010, many called it a brave decision. Trading the city buzz and metropolitan pace for the calm of the North was a big change — but for Kirsi, it felt right. “My husband was born in Kuusamo but moved away when he was sixteen. We agreed that if either of us ever had enough, we’d go back south. But that hasn’t happened yet,” she laughs.

Kirsi’s home is in Kuontivaara, a traditional countryside yard surrounded by endless forest and peaceful silence. “We have reindeer wandering by our gate, and nature starts right outside our door. Freedom and nature are what matter most here. You don’t need to invent ways to spend your time — just step outside.”

As Sales Manager at Rukapalvelu, Kirsi handles both domestic and international clients, sales, and trip planning. The work is varied and fast-paced — exactly the kind of energy she thrives on.

“The best part is that no two days are alike. I love being able to influence my work and grow together with our team.”

Kirsi’s path into tourism began through her studies at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, where she graduated as a hospitality management professional. Soon after, she found her place at Rukapalvelu — a job that combines nature, people, and memorable experiences.

“This work gives me the chance to bring joy and smiles to our guests. I get to help create the same kind of adventures I enjoy living myself every day. That’s what keeps me motivated.”

Kirsi embodies both warm sociability and the calm rhythm of the North. She truly enjoys being around people but finds her strength in quiet moments.

“I draw energy from both excitement and stillness. After work, I love heating up the sauna, fetching firewood, and watching the northern lights light up the sky.”

Though her roots are now firmly planted in Kuusamo’s soil, she enjoys the occasional visit to Helsinki. “But after a couple of days, I always catch myself thinking how good it feels to come home — here, where there’s room to breathe.”