Matkailulehti Ruka 12-2016 English

Travel magazine for Ruka and Kuusamo

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www.matkailulehtiruka.com

The magic of winter in Ruka and Kuusamo

2017

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Winter 2017

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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 for the whole of Finland. Along with the most popular skiing resort in Finland, the area offers possibilities for several winter activities.

The beautiful nature of Kuusamo calls to the independent traveller. Sign-posted routes and their services are very popular in the winter too.

Apart from downhill-skiing and snowboarding there are endless possibilities to enjoy different winter activities in Ruka and nearby. There are many event organizers who will plan a nice, conveniently relaxed and wintery holiday for everyone.

The cosy pedestrian village in Ruka is the heart of winter sports and the centre of tourism. The services are easily accessible for visitors on foot.

There is a car park with 320 places for cars under the pedestrian village. The heart of Ruka Village is a setting created by different restaurants and shops at street-level. The variety and quality of services in Ruka make it one of the most popular centres of tourism in Finland.

Not far from Ruka tourist centre is the centre of Kuusamo. In town you can find hotel accommodation as well as the Tropiikki spa nearby – ensuring some warmth in the depth of winter. Small special-

ized shops along with the big markets will meet the needs of the most demanding customer, and the surroundings of Kuusamo market place offer a nice environment for getting around town. Nature and winter activities are present even in the town centre. A network of cross country skiing tracks as well as snowmobile routes which come all the way into the centre of Kuusamo. You can reach Kuusamo conveniently by SkiBuss from Ruka. SkiBuss runs around not only on the fell but also between Ruka and Kuusamo. Journeys on the routes indicated in the time-table are free in the Ruka area.

Exciting winter ride in the kingdom of the flowing water

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ack your backpack and come enjoy the nature in the winter landscapes decorated with the rapids steaming in the cold with frosty trees!

In Kuusamo, there is a number of trip destinations of flowing water easily accessible for even the smallest members of the family.

In the heart of Oulanka National Park Kiutaköngäs, the flowing Oulanka River has forever enchanted hikers in all seasons. The furiously steaming waterfall in the background on the reddish dolomite-cliff, and in freezing temperatures shares its 14-meter drop to several staggered waterfalls that can measure more than 300 meters. On the neck of the rapids thick ice forms during the winter season, but it does not weaken the spell of the flowing water power – on the contrary! The path to Kiutaköngäs leaves from the yard of the Oulanka Visitor Centre at the Karhunkierros (Bears Round) gate; the kilometer long trail bends nimbly following the riverside. A couple of hundred meters downstream from the rapids is located a canopy, where there’s plenty of space to build a fire and enjoy snacks.

Pieni karhunkierros (small Bears Round) is a smaller version of the legendary Karhunkierros as its name suggests. The winter outfit of the rapids along the route is definitely worth a visit! From the edge, the Basecamp Oulanka parking area is easy access to the path.

About half a mile walk away by Myllykoski, the rapids located at the end of the route is restored an old mill with a campfire site. The bravest can pop onto the sus-

pension bridge hanging over the rapids to admire the landscape.

If you have the patience to walk a couple of kilometers more, you can admire from the side of the path a handsome Aallokkokoskea flowing through the canyon rapids, and after passing it, you will soon descend to the side of the Jyrävä rapids. With its nine-meter fall, Jyrävä is the largest waterfall in Kitkajoki. It often covers itself with a massive ice sheet in the winter, but the shallow murmur of the water flowing in the bowels of the ice is impressive. This view is great to be admired from Siilastupa located in the backwaters of Jyrävä. In the shelter of a wilderness hut is a good place to warm up and eat a picnic lunch - it offers the traveler, if necessary, even a temporary place to sleep overnight. At the fireside, you may be able to enjoy the company, not only of other travelers but also of prying Siberian jays who populate the forests of the national park.

The Dipper is easy to identify by its white bib (Cinclus Cinclus) and thrives especially in the rapids of the Oulankajoki and Kitjajoki rivers throughout the year without avoiding the toughest frosts. This is an essentially roundish bird is a very characteristic species for the area. It bobs on the rocks, then slips into the icy water in search of water insect larvae at the bottom of the rapids, and often eats at the side of the ice cover of the rapids. It is fascinating to watch the toils of the

mischievous diver, for example, in Myllykoski.

In the Oulanka Visitor Centre, you will get the latest tips for outings in all seasons. In the Visitor Centre’s exhibition, you can find free of charge exhibitions introducing the nature the National Park, or watch nature documentaries, as well as admire temporary exhibitions. In the same house is also a children’s playground, a café, and a restaurant.

Events and temporary exhibitions during the winter season 2016 - 2017 • • • • • • •

03.10.2016 - 01.31.2017 Kuusamo Nature Photo 2016 Nature Photography Exhibition 21.12.2016 Christmas carols and a lantern path to Kiutaköngäs 1.2. - 31.03.2017 Nature pictures 2015 04.02.2017 Finnish Nature Day 21.02.2017 Kevätrieha (Spring Rally) ohe open-air event for families 28.2.2017 Kevätrieha (Spring Rally) ohe open-air event for families 01.04. - 31.05.2017 Timo Törmänen: Nature Pictures from Oulanka

For the Visitor Center opening hours, and further information about the events, go to www.nationalparks.fi/oulanka

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Upper rope climb is an exciting but safe sporta, in which the risks are minimized.

Ice climbers gain victory over themselves

Ice climbing on the gorge wall or in the Korouoma gorge valley puts adrenaline into circulation, safely.

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he ice adventure starts in the locker room of Outdoor Passion where we pull on climbing shoes and leg warmers to protect the legs, and harnesses and a climbing helmet equipped with a visor complete the equipment.

“Outside, participants also place crampons on their shoes, and as a warm up walk, start going up a gentle slope to the Kururinte ice climbing site,” says Jussi Tupasela of Outdoor Passion.

Safety is the number one priority of climbing. At the beginning of each climb, the instructor inspects the upper anchor points of the safety ropes and the condition of the wall. At the same time, to a necessary extent, he tunes the upper ropes which are there for the safety of the climber when climbing and descending the wall.

On the Kuru slope, is the socalled upper rope climb, where the climber is secured with a rope and the upper anchor as well as with a backup device.

The upper rope climb is one of the safest climbing types, and the risk factors are minimized.

The instructor gives a couple of lessons in the techniques for climbing the wall, and a couple more lessons on the ground.

One should not be intimidated by the lessons because they last a total of fifteen minutes, but they are important minutes, during which the basic techniques of the sport are specified.

And then – let’s go climbing!

Climbing takes place with the help of shoe crampons and with picks in the hands. The intention is that the work is done

with the feet, and hands are used for holding only so that one does not fall on their back.

On the Kurku slope, there are a few points where you need a little more hand strength, but as a rule, you are dependent on the legs.

The instructor gives advice during the climb if it appears that the technique is initially lost. He may advise, for example, how the position of the heel should be corrected, so that climbing would be easier.

The ice is in itself an exciting and even fear-inspiring element, and climbing along it challenges a person to overcome himself, and this is what ice climbing is about.

However, ice climbing is not difficult nor does courage come with age: Our oldest climber was 83-years-old and the youngest only four. The four-year-old climbed the wall four times, but he was so light that he was not able to resist the backup rope, and he was taken off the wall from above.

The vertical sections of the Kuru slope have 35-meter ice walls, which cannot be tried until the second or third climbing time when the climbers have been introduced to the technique of the sport on the lower gradients.

For work communities and couples, climbing is a trust activity, since on the surface of the ground next to the backup device is your co-worker or spouse.

Also for the young people with special needs, it is a great place to exercise responsibility, when they will have to ensure that a friend climbing up the wall is

kept safe. However, the instructor is always available on the side to watch, and also secure and provide help when needed.

According to Tupasela, first timers use Tupasela, all the muscles when climbing, and often in vain, and they get tired, as two climbing times are usually sufficient. Then the following times it may then be four or even five. The number of climbs depends on the client’s condition and desire.

Those that are fit want to keep climbing so long that even the last of the gang says finally, that now is the time to go. Then begins the second fun part of the climb, when we go to the locker room for hot cocoa to reflect on what happened.

Those who have conquered the Kuru slope may also go to an even more challenging hike in the Korouoma gorge valley. On the adventure lasting around the clock with all of its hikes, are taken along good picnic food, and a good story worth telling to those who stayed home is guaranteed.

Outdoor Passion also organizes in the winter snow safety courses to learn how to spend the night in winter conditions and to make emergency accommodations in the snow. Those interested in downhill skiing and those walking their own path on snowshoes will be provided guidance to the Ruka off roads, and on the safety issues for rock climbing and rope adventures. www.outdoorpassion.fi

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Kumpare – Bowling on eight lanes

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n The Shopping Center Kumpare, the bowling alley is an alternative to the slopes, or for more evening excitement after a day of skiing. The eight-lane hall also has two pool tables, dart boards and a bar-café for the thirsty. In the afternoons, after 16:00 you can bowl with colored lights.

Keen bowlers will always find a bowling alley where they are, but while on a ski holiday, even beginners can have a nice try at a new hobby.

“Bowling fits for the entire family, as long as the player is able to carry the ball and throw it in a controlled manner,“ explains Teemu Ronkainen. “In bowling, the hit rate is the key, in which technique is more important than strength.

You can learn the basics of bowling on your own, or if you want to make faster progress in the sport, a bowling coach will assist you.”

Teemu advises beginners at the Kumpare bowling alley at the start of taking up the hobby, “I have actually never been into bowling,” he confesses, but you can get professional advice out of the man: “I know that most bowling alley employees themselves bowl, but as for me, I went to work in the Tali Bowling Alley in Helsinki when a friend

RICHER TASTE

Open everyday 11-23 www.pizzeriaruka.fi www.facebook.com/pizzeriaruka

invited me. I liked the work, and I stayed. Yes, I am a “bench bowler,” I like to follow Finnish Championships in bowling and European league.”

Teemu, originally from Kuusamo, returned from Helsinki to Ruka and in addition to the man, he also brought the eight machines to the North: “In Tali, the entire equipment base was renewed in 2009, and the well-functioning pin lifting machines were brought to Ruka, that is, if you have been bowling in Maintal, you have used the same machines we have here.”

But if the employee of the bowling alley is not a bowling enthusiast, then what DOES he do? Maybe hunting and fishing, just like anybody in Kuusamo?

“Well, my hobbies are really hunting and fishing, just like everybody in Kuusamo,” Teemu grins.

In the bowling alley, a lane can be conveniently booked at lupanet. com, and the most easily accessible way to begin the booking is at www. ruka.fi/rukan-keilahalli. You should be quick, especially if you want a night-time, as they are often full.

The alley is open every day until 22 pm. From Saturday to Monday the doors will be opened at 12 am on other days one hour earlier.

See the northern lights dance from the front row

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olk tales say that Northern Lights were born when a fox in a hurry whisked the snow with his tail. The whisks turned into sparks that flew in the sky as a single band, forming a fairytale light show across the sky.

This light show will delight viewers time and time again and, together with trees thickly coated with snow, it makes the view absolute-

ly stunning. High places are more suitable for viewing the Northern Lights , so go to the Northern Lights trip by snowshoeing, for example, to Riisitunturi or Valtavaara.

To be on call for Northern Lights is made easier when you order a free Northern Lights alert - Auroras Now! of the Finnish Meteorological Institute to your e-mail at the address at aurora.fmi.fi/

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Oulanka National Park

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 Kuusamo Uisting factory store manager Annukka Nevala arranging one of the stores numerous lure walls.

Räsänens, Professors and others fishing lures can be found on the spot, therefore, literally hanging on the wall, ready for acquisition.

Kuusamon Uistin – Versatile factory outlet

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he best winter activities are the skiing and late winter ice fishing.

The tools and supplies of the field are available almost everywhere in Kuusamo, but one of the most comprehensive selections of fresh new products, is definitely along Road 5, in the factory outlet Kuusamon Uistin located some distance from the centre of Kuusamo. And not only are fishermen most welcome, but there are also plenty of exciting products for everyone. In Uistin, there is enough to see for the whole family, right down to the smallest.

When talking about ice fishing and fishing in general, the name of Kuusamon Uistin is known around the world. And even if you have not held any kind of fishing gear in hand, at the very least the legendary lures of Räsänen and Professor can be associated both to joyful fishing experiences, as well as to Kuusamo, famous for its nature. And what better place to purchase fishing supplies than the place where they were originally born and from where they left for the rest of the world.

Thus, the fishing enthusiast visiting Kuusamo can by no means miss dropping in to Uistin factory outlet – as there are Räsänens, Professors and literally speaking walls full of products from all the fishing suppliers, and a lot more.

“Everything, laughs Store Manager Annukka Nevala when answering succinctly and exhaustively to the question what kind of range of lures can be found on the walls and shelves of the factory store?

“And in addition, a whole bunch of, e.g., old classics, products removed from manufacturing, and second rate products.

And let’s not forget the most re-

cent and freshest new products, which for example have not even been delivered to the store shelves. A good example of these are the new colors and designs targeted for next summer’s fishing waters, that are already available here,” Nevalainen hints.

But after all, on the fishing front, of course, there will be plenty to do even before making it to the summer’s fishing waters.

Wonderful ice fishing can be enjoyed even during the ski holidays, and as the days get longer the conditions towards the spring improve from week to week.

And once we are in Kuusamo, a great choice for the first visit for those wishing to go ice fishing is Kuusamon Uistin.

“For summer fishing lures the wall of the store offers a corresponding selection of different types of picks, all the way to the famous Kirppu of Kuusamo. From the factory outlets, one can also get all the other tools needed for ice fishing starting from augers, ice fishing overalls, seat packs, all the way to ice fishing bait.”

But it is not always good to go fishing – even ice fishing – farther to the sea. After all, an ice fishing spot can be found immediately next to the Uistin factory shop, and there is a great opportunity to be able to go ice fishing, and even tasting the fish, almost directly from the car door. In Pieni Helilampi, in addition to everything else, there are nice sized perch, whitefish, pike and a good possibility for the opportunities to try for the famous red fish – and best of all, for free.

In the pond, rainbow trout has been planted already for eight years, and when getting a free fishing license from the store’s coffee counter, the path to the

pond is open. And, whether it is summer or winter, you should never rush fishing so that aside from the last minute lure purchases, you would have time to enjoy a cup or two of a hot drink.

This can also be found in Uistin, in addition to other refreshments, as well as small salty snacks and sweet snacks, of course.

“And while fishing is a little bit more of a man’s cup of tea, for their better half, in our shop can be found Kalamuijan kokkinurkka (Fish Lady’s cooking corner). As the name suggests, it involves everything related to the kitchen for cooking, even for preparing the best fish dishes conjured up from their own catch,” said Nevala.

Kuusamon Uistin has by no means forgotten the smallest of the family. In addition to the cafeteria, for the children there is a separate play corner suitable with its fish and wildlife theme.

For drawing, they can model the handsome ide, perch or crayfish living in the adjacent natural fish aquarium.

“Of course, you will find a comprehensive range of high quality textile items and hiking supplies. The main idea here, is a bit of a candy store for the whole family,” smiles Nevalainen and even hints that also in Uistin, souvenirs and gifts can be found easily and quickly.

The Kuusamon Uistin factory shop is located next to the center of Kuusamo, along Road 5, four kilometers from Ouluntie Road and the Road 5 roundabout, and from the supermarkets to the north, i.e., towards Ruka.

The store’s address is – of course – Professori Räsäsentie 1-2, and the store’s other contact information such as opening hours can be found on the website of www. kuusamonuistin.fi.

nationalparks.fi/oulanka

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Ruka is once again Finland’s best in World Ski Awards

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uka made a clean sweep of the prize table in November for the fourth time in a row in the Ski Oscar Gala Ceremony in Kitzbühel, Austria.

The Centre was awarded at the Award Ceremony of the World Ski Awards as Finland’s best ski resort, the Ruka Ski Chalet was awarded as Finland’s best ski hotel, and the Rukan Salonki as Finland’s the best ski chalet.

This achievement is unique because no other destination has surpassed the performance of Ruka.

The World Ski Awards, held since 2013, is a sister event of the internationally prestigious World Travel Awards. The competition gives awards to the industry leaders in 24 countries in the categories of Best Ski Resort, Best Ski Hotel, Best Ski Boutique Hotel, and Best Ski Chalet.

The Rukakeskus CEO Ville Aho points out that for the award, above all, international customers can be thanked.

“Ruka and Kuusamo are now on the upswing, like tourism across the entire area of Lapland. Our goal in Ruka is to be the world’s best ski resort for families and beginning skiers, which are the majority of our international guests.”

According to Aho, the reason for the success of Ruka, in addition to high-quality slopes, is also the diversity of the region and the unique natural environment of Kuusamo, which for many foreign customers is the greatest experience in their

Ruka made a clean sweep of the prize table in November at the Ski Oscar Gala Ceremony in Austria. trip to Ruka. Customer feedback supports the first prize. International customers give Ruka exceptionally good reviews both for the services available and for the slopes. “We are not just the best ski resort in Finland, but together we are much more. All Ruka entrepreneurs have earned this award through their work,” says Aho.

Ruka has just announced its development plans, valued at more than EUR 100 million, at the heart of which is a completely new pedestrian village on the eastern side of the mountain, as well as pedestrian and bicycle gondola lift that connects the new village to the current Ruka pedestrian village. The aim of Rinneyhtiö Rukakeskus Oy is to start the implementation of the new express chairlifts and new slopes in the summer of 2018.

Marjo Määttä, the entrepreneur of the fourth time awardwinning Rukan Salonki, says

that she has to be grateful for the selection to all her customers and to regional cooperation. “The all-inclusive service concept of Ruka Salonki, wild food, the Sauna Tour and the close co-operation with the best firms in the Ruka and Kuusamo area, guarantee a functioning whole. Our guests get to spend a truly hassle-free vacation in the world’s purest nature in Kuusamo.”

Ruka Ski Chalets Hotel of the same entrepreneurial family was awarded the best Ski Hotel of the year. “We have managed to move the Salonki service concept also to the Ruka Ski Chalet.

Being voted Finland’s best ski hotel is truly a great honor for the owners of the apartments belonging to our rental pool, to our employees, and, of course, for us as a family of entrepreneurs. Both awards confirm our view that we are on the right track.

Safely on the ski slopes 1. EQUIPMENT Check functionality of the equipment and the adjustments of the straps. Use of a helmet is recommended.

6. REGULATE YOUR SPEED Regulate your speed according to your skills.

Pay attention to the local slope and snow conditions.

2. BEHAVIOUR ON THE LIFT Fill in all the places on the lift and exit the lift only at designated areas.

7. DO NOT SLEDGE ON THE SKI SLOPE Sledging is only allowed in designated areas.

3. SKI DOWNHILL ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITIES Select the slope according to your skill level.

Check out the special areas in advance.

4. DODGING Pass the other skiers moving on the slope at a sufficient distance. Always dodge the skiers coming from above and from behind.

5. STOPPING ON THE SLOPE Stop only at places where you are seen. For getting up always use the slope edge.

S ource: The Fi nni sh S ki A r ea A ssoci a t i on

8. SKI DOWNHILL ONLY AT YOUR OWN RISK Ski downhill on the slope always at your own risk.

9. WHEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DO NOT COME TO THE SLOPE Using the slopes while under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.

10. HELP! Everybody’s duty is to assist in the event of an accident. Report any accidents immediately to the staff.

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Reindeer facts

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n the Rosa & Rudolf Reindeer Yard, you will be able to feed the animals and scratch their horns.

First, read the facts of the semi-wild domestic animal of Lapland.

1. The reindeer have been domesticated from the mountain reindeer in the Late Middle Ages, i.e., in the 1300’s. In Finn-

ish, the reindeer has a number of names according to age and gender. Reindeer stag is hirvas; a doe is vaadin, and the descendants of reindeer are vasat. The doe, in its second year of life, is vuonelo and the stag is urakka.

When the reindeer hits its sixth year, the names end, so the name of the reindeer is nimiloppu - Finnish for “the end of names.”

2. Reindeer is a human-sized animal. A Reindeer stag weights from 90 kg to real manly numbers, 180 kg. The weight of a female reindeer is somewhere around the human female readings, i.e., 60-100 kilo, and the newborn calf is not much larger than human babies with its 4-6 kg of weight. Even the length of the reindeer is close to a human being: the body length from the tail to the tip of the nose is 150210 cm. In term of its life cycle, reindeer are surpassed by humans, but it beats, for example, the domestic dog: the reindeer’s highest life expectancy can be 18-20 years.

3. Both male and female reindeer have annually changing antlers. The Reindeer antler is the world’s fastest-growing bone: the length of the antlers can grow up to two centimeters a day.

4. The reindeer is a ruminant with four stomachs. It eats a variety of different plants and mushrooms, but in the winter its main diet is lichen, which it will be able to smell even through a meter of thick snow. Winters are a hard time for reindeer, and during the snowy seasons they often lose up to one-fifth of their body weight. The current

supplementary feeding has improved their situation.

5. The reindeer live in 5-5000 herds, and they migrate seeking rumination places for food and water. Young adults and male reindeer can sometimes wander alone. The reindeer are benevolent animals, except when they are protecting their younger calves in the forest and competing for popularity among the doe, at that time, they may be suspicious and cranky. But normally the reindeer avoid humans, except when a delicious wisp of hay and cuddles are available.

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Animal Farm residents are waiting for winter guests

Erä-Susi farm is the home of two hundred huskies, in addition to a number of merry domestic animals.

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n the Erä-Susi Family Farm, this year for the first time we will be able to meet all the animals through the winter. The farm has thirteen species of animals familiar to farms, and almost triple the number of animal specimens. The inhabitants of Animal Farm have been trained in tourism to be sociable and human-loving, and it is nice for the entire family to watch their daily activities.

In the Bird House, we will meet the distinguished Mr. roosters Kieku and Kaiku, as well as Donald Duck and his friends, the geese and

Nils, Selma and Astrid. Rabbits are sharing a house with their feathered comrades, but the turkey cock Matador with his wives like to spend time with the goats Usva and Ellu in another building.

Goats need a warm facility, but the sheep Vuokko and Anna live with their lambs that were born last spring and have now grown up.

Outside, together with the sheep also live the llama Santtu

with his wife Princess, but they take their beauty sleep in a warm shelter.

This winter’s latest entrants are the fun, wild pig brothers Bertil and Hubertus. The wild pigs are regular snout noses just like their more familiar cousins, but they have droll curly hair cover instead of smooth skin.

The species is originally from Hungary.

In the Animal Farm can also be found two handsome horses.

They are the robust Finnhorse Topi and his new friend Suvi.

The Erä-Susi farm is awaiting for new species in the spring, but they will be revealed at a later date, so be sure also to pop into Ruka in the summer.

The animal Farm is open throughout the winter every day 10-15.

Those who find delight in more speedy adventures, the Erä-Susi’s popular husky pro-

grams will continue as usual.

You can choose from a two-kilometer sprint to a five-day-long safari with overnights in cabins along the way, and help put the dogs to bed at nighttime for much need rest after a hard days work.

Erä-Susi also organizes snowshoe hikes. During the threehour landscape route, we circle in Pyhävaara and during the slightly longer four-five-hour excursion we go to Kiutaköngäs

or visit the scenery of Juuma and Jyrävä.

For self-reliant forest excursions, you can rent snow shoes and other accessories from EräSusi. www.erasusi.com

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In Intersport Ruka, can be found some fun, and a warm hat for the baby.

Joy of Christmas for Santa’s gift bag

Fathers, mothers, children, friends, the mother-in-law and someone else might deserve Christmas gifts. You can find gifts for the whole family in the Kuusamo and Ruka boutiques.

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rom Kuusamo Tärppi, for Santa’s gift bag, wooden cups can be selected in which at the same price, the name of the person receiving the gift can be burned onto the cup. One does not need to buy the genuine Lappish Kuksa more than once, because if handled properly, it is a gift that will remain an inheritance to posterity. For the moving member of the family, snow shoes can be purchased for the upcoming holidays, from the

entire range of 35-46, a pair can be found for almost every family member.

From Ruka, the Intersport merino wool wear may be selected as gifts, which are currently manufactured for the whole family from babies to grandparents. Merino wool that cools in warm weather and warms in cool weather is a breathable material that whisks moisture away from the skin. Merino wool does not itch and is anti-bacterial, so

it does not need to be washed as often as synthetic fiber because it does not absorb odors. In Merino wool-wear, there is now the choice of both prints and solid colors.

In Modestilo, that offers highquality women’s clothing and accessories; it is possible to safely buy a gift card for the female folks of the family. The selections also include many products that are easy to buy, even if one is not sure of the size of the

Polar bears, arctic foxes and dholes in their thick winter furs love the snow and frost. In the wildlife park you can see them and 50 other Arctic species up close in the middle of the wintry forest - and if you are lucky, enjoy the northern lights at the same time. Only 1.5 h drive from Ruka.

RANUA WILDLIFE PARK IS OPEN EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR 1 September–31 May, every day 10.00–16.00 1 June–31 August, every day 9.00–19.00 Rovaniementie 29, 97700 Ranua Tel: +358 40 5177 436 • Fax: +358 16 355 1034 www.ranuawildlife.com • ranuawildlife@ranua.fi

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n for wo Cosy fashio

men & me

n!

cosy fashion & living

Moomin jewelry, which launched this year, are Finnish produced from Kuopio. In Ruka, they can be found in the Pentik sore.

Christmas tip of Kuusamo Tärppi is a genuine Finnish wooden cup.

Lovely jewelry and purses of Modestilo will delight the mother and daughter.

The Riipisen selection of treats is a dream gift for the gourmet.

recipient. For example, ponchos, shawls, purses, belts and bracelets and necklaces are suitable for everyone and are always a welcome gift.

In the cross-country skiers’ specialist shop, Wolf Sport located in the Shopping Centre Kumpare, one can buy the skiers of the family a gift card for ski service as a Christmas gift.

Professional maintenance keeps the skis in order and running smooth. Cleaning the dirt stuck from the trail from the bottom of skis, and the glides and grips can make the skis as fast as possible on the same day, but during the peak period, no later than the next morning.

In Wolf Sport, one can choose items for Santa’s give bag from a variety of cross-country ski equipment and clothes.

In Casale, located in

the Shopping Center Kumpare, one can select gifts for the female folks of the family. Stylish but useful gloves that have reflective strips in the knuckles make an evening stroll down the road safer at night. The onesize-fits-all gloves of genuine leather are flexible on the palmside, and on the inside, your hands will be warmed with soft wool lining.

From Riipisen Riista- ja Matkamuistomyymälä you can pick up the hunting, fishing and berry products that have been voted to be Finland’s best. In the Riipisen shops, or in the company’s online store at www. riipisen.fi, one can choose their own selection of a variety of products, or a pre-packaged set.

A selection of Riipisen specialties is excellent, especially for a person who already has everything, or for those for whom it is oth-

Quality products with style.

For private shopping time and assistance call +358 400 887280. www.ruka.fi/casale

TURNED TO TAKE A BREAK AND ENJOY YOUR SPA MOMENTS.

|Day Spa Studio Feel it|Located in Rantasipi Rukahovi| www.studiofeelit.fi |tel. +358 (0)404 1100 96

With the Wolf Sports gift card can be purchased, in addition to ski waxing, also cross-country ski equipment and clothing. erwise difficult to find a gift.

One of the gift hits of this Christmas will surely be a Moomin necklace. The brandnew, manufactured in Kuopio jewelry collection, includes bracelets and necklaces, the topic of which are the Moomin Troll, Little My, Stinky, SeaTtravel, Royal Ruby and a Moomin Mama’s handbag. Silver or steel jewelry is suitable for Moomin lovers of all ages.

Moomin jewelry and many other Finnish quality products can be found in the Pentik store of the Shopping Center Kumpare.

50â‚Ź/

person

Mon-Sat

Ask also snowmobile safaris and other activities Address: Rukanriutta 11

+358 8 8522 007 www.rukaadventures.fi