ruka

Excellent for beginner and intermediate Skiers and Snowboarders alike. Loads to do even apart from slopes. Nice and quiet. Night life is a bit limited but that doesn't bother me.The people are lovely!

Small, compact and everywhere is just a two minute walk to the ski lifts.Quite pricey but it is Scandinavia and it is a ski resort so no real surprises there.

A fun resort with wonderful snow, skiing, husky, reindeer and of course great hot chocolate on the slopes. Our 3rd visit to Ruka and it was wonderful as ever.

Nice place ! Many services. Free skibus drive frontside-backside , many restaurants, K-Market and many bars, Just few kilometers spa (kuusamon tropiikki)I can recommed.

Members of our family has been to Ruka for a number of years now. Personally, this was mine and my wife's first visit in nine years and it has changed alot in the mean time - for the better. There has been a great deal of building with lots more accomodation going up, restaurants, shops and I think some more slopes have been created. I think we all agree that Ruka's main attributes are the quiet slopes and the scenery. Earlier in the week there was a HUGE queue of SIX people for one of the nursery button lifts. It held us up for at least two minutes!! The scenery is stunning with trees completely covered in snow and big open frozen lakes. The view from the top of Ruka's mountain has to be seen, especially the sunsets at about 2:30 in the afternoon. Perhaps here I should add that the slopes are open from 9:30 am til late in the evening with very effective floodlighting so dont let a lack of daylight put you off.Although we had previously done our basic training, the resort looks ideal for beginners. There are some nice slopes that are wide, gentle and short enough to generate confidence. These slopes are around the back of the mountain which for beginners is best accessed by the SkiBus, leaving Ruka at 45 mins after the hour and taking about ten mins to drive round. There are also some places to eat and drink that are children friendly by the slopes. Alternatively you can buy some sausages in Ruka and cook on the open fires in the little Kota huts.Other things we like about Ruka is the proximity of Ruka to Kuusamo airport - a 30 min transfer, the regular grading of the slopes to make for nice skiing, the village being right by the slopes for good daily access, the friendly locals, equipment quality in the ski hire centre, the local attractions, quality of the accomodation....... I could go on and on.However, nothing is perfect!! Advanced skiiers might find the slopes a bit too short and maybe not challenging enough. Also, be prepared with plenty of clothing. This week's temperatures have been minus 15 to 20 with a chill factor of horrendous proportions at the top of the mountain. Finally, food prices are probably 50 -100% more expensive then the UK so we bring our own wherever possible. Expect to pay €7 for a beer which measures well under a pint. Steak main course is €38. 6 inch Subway is about €4.50.Local attractions we thoroughly enjoyed were Ski-doos, ice fishing, husky rides, ice karting and traditional Lappish cuisine. We will be back.