Ruka

Ruka is a fell of a little over four hundred and fifty metres above Kuusamo in the north-east, and it carries the largest ski operation in this part of Finland, with lifts and pistes on both sides of the hill and a season that runs from October to May, among the longest in the country because of the altitude and the cold. It hosts World Cup cross-country and ski jumping events at the start of the Nordic season. In summer the same fell is used for mountain biking and walking, and the Karhunkierros, the best-known long trail in Finland, starts nearby and runs north through the gorges and rapids of Oulanka national park.

What you actually see

• A season from October to May - among the longest in the country.
• World Cup nordic events - the opening races of the season.
• Summer mountain biking - the lift-served trails on the fell.
• The Karhunkierros trailhead - the long route north into Oulanka.

When to go

November to April for skiing, with darkness deep in midwinter and long light in spring; June to September for walking and biking. Two days to a week.

Honest expectations

Midwinter here has very few hours of daylight, which surprises visitors. It is genuinely cold, often well below minus twenty. The resort village is functional rather than attractive. Prices rise sharply at Christmas and in the spring skiing weeks.

Nearby

Kuusamo is south; Oulanka national park lies north.