If you're planning a trip to Ruka and Kuusamo, you'll quickly discover that there's far more to do than just skiing.
While Ruka is best known as one of Finland's top ski resorts, the surrounding Kuusamo region offers everything many people imagine when they picture a winter holiday in the Arctic. From husky sledding and reindeer experiences to snowmobiling, frozen waterfalls, Finnish saunas and the chance to see the Northern Lights, it's an excellent destination for anyone looking to experience Finnish Lapland away from the busiest tourist resorts.
Whether you're travelling as a family, a couple or with friends, there's enough here to fill several days. In this guide, I've rounded up the best things to do in Ruka and Kuusamo to help you build your own itinerary, from bucket list adventures to some of the region's most spectacular natural attractions.
If you're still planning your trip, don't miss my DIY Guide to Ruka & Kuusamo, where I've covered everything from flights and accommodation to the best time to visit, how many days you'll need and whether you should hire a car.
From DIY itineraries and Northern Lights tips to budgeting advice, destination guides and honest reviews of the places we've visited, you'll find everything together in our Lapland Travel Guide Hub.
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⭐ Best for: Outdoor adventures, skiing and nature lovers
🎿 Don't miss: Ruka Ski Resort, Riisitunturi National Park and Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls
👨👩👧 Great for: Families, couples, skiers and anyone looking for a quieter alternative to Levi and Rovaniemi
📅 Best time to visit: January to March for reliable snow and winter activities
❄️ Top experiences: Husky sledding, reindeer rides, snowmobiling, Northern Lights, Finnish saunas and skiing
🚗 Do you need a car? Helpful for exploring the wider region, but not essential if you're staying in Ruka Village
💰 Budget: Often offers better value than Levi and Rovaniemi, particularly outside the Christmas holidays
💡 Top tip: Don't just stay on the ski slopes. Make time for places like Riisitunturi National Park and the frozen waterfalls of Korouoma, which are among the most spectacular natural attractions in Finland.
💸 Top tip: Book through GetYourGuide and use our exclusive code BUILDABREAK5 in the app to save 5% on eligible bookings.
If there's one thing Ruka is famous for, it's skiing. Home to one of Finland's largest and most popular ski resorts, Ruka offers around 200 days of skiing each year, with slopes suitable for everyone from complete beginners to experienced skiers and snowboarders.
The resort features dozens of runs, modern lifts, dedicated beginner areas and floodlit slopes, allowing you to ski well into the evening during the darker winter months. Equipment hire and ski schools are also widely available, making it an excellent place to learn if it's your first time on the snow.
Even if you're not planning to ski every day, it's worth taking the gondola to enjoy the panoramic views across the snow-covered forests. The village itself has a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, with cafés, restaurants and après-ski bars all within easy walking distance of the slopes.
💡 Top tip: If you're travelling during the Christmas holidays or February half term, book lift passes and equipment hire in advance, as this is one of Finland's busiest ski resorts.
Husky sledding is one of the most iconic experiences you can have in Finnish Lapland, and Ruka & Kuusamo are home to several excellent husky farms offering everything from short introductory rides to full-day wilderness adventures.
After meeting the enthusiastic dogs, you'll head out through snow-covered forests and across frozen lakes, with the only sounds being the runners gliding over the snow and the huskies racing along the trail. It's an unforgettable way to experience the Arctic landscape and one of the activities many visitors remember long after they've returned home.
We've been husky sledding twice during our own DIY Lapland trips and it's one of the experiences we'd happily book again. Although longer safaris are available, they can be quite expensive. Personally, we found that a 2 km ride was enough, especially when travelling with children, as you're sitting still for much of the journey and can get surprisingly cold quite quickly.
💡 Top tip: If it's your first time husky sledding, don't feel pressured into booking the longest safari. A shorter ride still gives you the full experience and can free up more of your budget for other Lapland activities.
No trip to Finnish Lapland feels complete without meeting one of its most famous residents. Reindeer are an important part of Sámi culture and the region's history, and visiting a reindeer farm offers the chance to learn more about their way of life while enjoying one of Lapland's most traditional experiences.
Many farms offer peaceful reindeer sleigh rides through snow-covered forests, along with opportunities to feed the animals, meet local herders and hear stories about reindeer husbandry and life in the Arctic. It's a much slower-paced activity than husky sledding or snowmobiling, making it a lovely way to experience the quieter side of Lapland.
We've enjoyed reindeer sleigh rides on two of our DIY Lapland trips and they're a completely different experience to husky sledding. Don't expect speed or excitement – reindeer move at a gentle pace, making it more about soaking up the scenery and learning about local traditions than chasing adrenaline.
💡 Top tip: If you're deciding between a husky safari and a reindeer ride, I'd try to experience both if your budget allows. They offer completely different experiences and each gives you a unique insight into life in Finnish Lapland.
Snowmobiling is one of the best ways to experience the vast wilderness surrounding Ruka and Kuusamo. Guided safaris take you across frozen lakes, through snow-covered forests and into areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach during winter.
Whether you choose a short introductory ride or a longer adventure lasting several hours, it's an exhilarating way to explore the Arctic landscape. Many tours also include stops for hot drinks around an open fire or visits to scenic viewpoints, giving you the chance to take in the incredible surroundings.
We've been snowmobiling on one of our DIY Lapland trips, taking a 15 km evening safari through the forests of Rovaniemi in search of the Northern Lights. Riding through the snowy landscape after dark was an unforgettable experience and felt completely different to exploring during the day. We've also watched our children enjoy driving their own mini snowmobiles in Levi, although these aren't something you'll commonly find in the Ruka and Kuusamo area.
💡 Top tip: If you're deciding between a daytime and evening safari, I'd personally choose an evening tour. While there's never any guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights, heading away from artificial light gives you a much better chance if conditions are right.
Seeing the Northern Lights is one of the biggest reasons people visit Finnish Lapland, and Ruka & Kuusamo offer excellent opportunities to witness this incredible natural phenomenon. With very little light pollution outside the main villages, the surrounding forests, frozen lakes and open fell landscapes provide ideal conditions for aurora hunting.
There are plenty of different ways to experience the Northern Lights, depending on the type of adventure you're looking for. You could join a traditional Northern Lights minibus tour, head out on a guided snowshoe walk, relax in a sled pulled by a snowmobile as you search for clear skies, or even take a fat bike safari through the snowy forests before enjoying a traditional Lappish barbecue around an open fire. Each offers a completely different way to experience the Arctic after dark.
We've been lucky enough to see the Northern Lights on two of our DIY Lapland trips, and it's an experience that's impossible to forget. While no one can ever guarantee a sighting, being patient, getting away from artificial light and hoping for clear skies can make all the difference.
💡 Top tip: Don't assume you have to book a tour to see the Northern Lights. If the aurora forecast looks promising and the skies are clear, it's often worth stepping outside your accommodation or walking to a darker area. Some of our best sightings have happened when we weren't expecting them. If you're planning to search independently, take a look at my guide to seeing the Northern Lights for free, where I've shared our favourite tips for improving your chances.
One of the most spectacular day trips from Ruka and Kuusamo is a visit to Korouoma Canyon, where towering waterfalls freeze into enormous walls of ice during the winter months. Surrounded by snow-covered forests, it's one of Finland's most impressive natural attractions and a favourite with photographers, hikers and ice climbers.
Most visitors explore the canyon on a guided hike, following forest trails to several frozen waterfalls while learning more about the area's wildlife and geology. Many tours also include a traditional Finnish campfire stop, where you can warm up with hot drinks and snacks before continuing through the winter landscape.
Although it's possible to visit independently if you have a hire car, joining a guided excursion is often the easiest option, especially if it's your first visit to the area.
💡 Top tip: Wear warm, waterproof boots with good grip. Trails can be snowy and icy, and you'll spend several hours outdoors, but the incredible frozen waterfalls make the hike well worth the effort.
Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to experience the peaceful side of Ruka and Kuusamo. Unlike snowmobiling or skiing, it allows you to slow down and explore snow-covered forests at your own pace, reaching areas that are often inaccessible during the winter months.
There are plenty of guided snowshoe tours available, with many taking visitors into Riisitunturi National Park or other nearby wilderness areas. Along the way, you'll walk beneath snow-laden trees, enjoy spectacular viewpoints and often stop to warm up around a traditional campfire with hot drinks and local snacks.
If you've never tried snowshoeing before, don't worry. It's suitable for beginners and requires very little experience, making it a great activity for families, couples and anyone wanting to enjoy Lapland's beautiful winter scenery without needing to ski.
💡 Top tip: If you can, book a snowshoe tour that includes a campfire stop. Taking a break with a hot drink while surrounded by snowy forests is all part of the experience and one of the reasons snowshoeing is such a popular winter activity.
No trip to Finland feels complete without experiencing a traditional Finnish sauna. After a day spent skiing, snowmobiling or exploring the snowy forests, there's nothing better than warming up in the heat before stepping back out into the crisp Arctic air.
Many hotels, cabins and holiday apartments in Ruka and Kuusamo have their own private sauna, while several spas and wellness centres also offer public saunas alongside hot tubs and swimming pools. It's the perfect way to slow down and experience one of Finland's most cherished traditions.
We've enjoyed several very different sauna experiences during our own DIY Lapland trips, including relaxing at Lapland Winter Park's Sauna World in Rovaniemi and even trying the unique snow sauna at the Arctic SnowHotel. Although every sauna is different, they all offer the same opportunity to unwind after a day outdoors and experience an important part of Finnish culture.
💡 Top tip: When choosing your accommodation, check whether a private sauna is included. They're surprisingly common in Finland and can be one of the highlights of your stay, especially after a day spent out in the snow.
If you're looking for something a little different, ice karting is one of the most exciting winter activities you can try in Ruka. Instead of driving on a traditional track, you'll race specially adapted karts across an ice circuit, where controlled slides and drifting around corners are all part of the fun.
We've been ice karting ourselves in Rovaniemi and it was one of the highlights of our trip. It was much more exhilarating than we expected and surprisingly competitive, with everyone trying to beat each other's lap times. If you're travelling with teenagers or adults who enjoy driving, it's an activity I'd highly recommend.
💡 Top tip: If you're travelling with children, check the minimum age and height requirements before booking, as these vary between operators. Even if younger children can't drive themselves, many venues allow them to ride as passengers or offer other family-friendly snow activities nearby.
Horse riding offers a peaceful way to experience the winter landscapes around Ruka and Kuusamo. Guided rides take you through snow-covered forests and quiet trails, allowing you to enjoy the Arctic scenery at a much slower pace than activities like snowmobiling or husky sledding.
Whether you're an experienced rider or a complete beginner, there are excursions suitable for all abilities. Many local stables use calm, well-trained Finnish horses, and some rides even include a stop for hot drinks around an open fire, making the experience feel even more memorable.
If you're looking for a quieter activity or want to experience Lapland from a different perspective, horse riding is a fantastic alternative to some of the more adrenaline-filled adventures.
💡 Top tip: Dress warmly, even though you'll be with the horses. Like reindeer sleigh rides, you'll spend much of the experience sitting still, so it's easy to feel the cold after a while. Layering up and wearing good winter boots will make the ride much more comfortable.
If you're visiting Ruka outside of the ski slopes, the Ruka Coaster is a fun activity that's suitable for all ages. The mountain coaster winds its way down the hillside, allowing you to control your own speed as you twist and turn through the beautiful surrounding scenery.
Unlike a traditional rollercoaster, you decide how fast you want to go, making it just as enjoyable for families with younger children as it is for adults looking for a bit of excitement. During winter, the snowy landscape gives the ride a completely different feel and offers fantastic views across the resort.
It's also a great activity if not everyone in your group skis, providing an easy way to enjoy the mountain without needing lift passes or ski equipment.
💡 Top tip: If you're travelling as a family, check the height restrictions before you visit. Younger children are usually able to ride with an adult, making it a great activity to enjoy together.
For something completely different, why not try floating down a partially frozen river in a specially designed survival suit? It's one of the most unique ways to experience the Arctic and offers a peaceful contrast to the faster-paced activities you'll find around Ruka and Kuusamo.
Wrapped up in a warm, insulated flotation suit, you'll simply lie back and let the gentle current carry you downstream while taking in the snowy scenery around you. Depending on the conditions, some evening excursions also offer the chance to admire the Northern Lights from the water if the skies are clear.
It might sound a little daunting at first, but the suits are designed to keep you warm and buoyant, making it a surprisingly relaxing experience that's suitable even if you're not a confident swimmer.
💡 Top tip: If you're deciding between a daytime or evening river floating experience, consider booking after dark. While Northern Lights sightings are never guaranteed, floating quietly beneath the stars can make for a truly unforgettable Arctic experience if the aurora decides to appear.
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, Oulanka National Park is one of Finland's most spectacular natural attractions and well worth adding to your itinerary. Known for its dramatic river valleys, suspension bridges, forests and rugged scenery, it's a fantastic place to experience the quieter side of Finnish Lapland.
During the winter months, the park is transformed into a snowy wilderness, with marked trails suitable for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Whether you're looking for a gentle walk through the forest or a more adventurous day out, Oulanka offers some of the most beautiful winter scenery in the region.
The park is also home to part of the famous Karhunkierros (Bear's Trail), one of Finland's best-known long-distance hiking routes. While most visitors won't tackle the full trail in winter, shorter sections provide an excellent introduction to the area's breathtaking landscapes.
💡 Top tip: If you're hiring a car, combine Oulanka National Park with a visit to Riisitunturi National Park or the Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls to make the most of a day exploring the Kuusamo region.
💡 Top tip: If you're travelling with children who are new to skiing, spend some time at Rosa & Rudolf Family Park before heading onto the beginner slopes. It's a fun, low-pressure way for them to build confidence while enjoying the snow.
If you're travelling with younger children, the Children's Snow Play Park at Lammintupa is another great place to spend a few hours enjoying the snow. The play area includes sledging hills, snow tunnels and pole sledging, giving little ones plenty of space to burn off energy in a safe environment.
The snow park itself is free for guests using the café, making it a good budget-friendly stop during your trip. If you're looking for even more activities, Lammintupa also offers paid experiences including children's snowmobiling, reindeer rides, husky rides and ice karting, making it easy to spend most of the day here.
With a mix of free and paid activities, it's an excellent option for families looking to experience several Lapland adventures in one place.
💡 Top tip: If you're visiting with younger children, plan to stop for lunch or hot chocolate at the café. Not only can everyone warm up between activities, but you'll also have access to the snow play park, making it excellent value for families.
If you're visiting Ruka with younger children, a day at Santa's Cottage is a magical way to experience the spirit of Christmas, whatever time of the winter you visit. This family-friendly experience combines festive activities with traditional Finnish hospitality, making it one of the area's most memorable attractions for little ones.
The day typically begins with outdoor fun, including tobogganing, before families are welcomed inside to meet Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and the elves. Children can take part in festive activities such as baking gingerbread, making sweet buns, creating Christmas cards and singing traditional Finnish Christmas songs before receiving a small gift from Santa himself.
It's a relaxed, interactive experience that focuses on creating lasting family memories rather than simply queuing for a photo, making it particularly popular with younger children.
💡 Top tip: If you're travelling during the Christmas season or school holidays, book well in advance. Family experiences with Santa are among the most popular activities in Ruka and spaces can fill up quickly.
For a more traditional Arctic experience, why not try ice fishing? It's a popular winter pastime in Finland and offers a completely different pace to activities like snowmobiling or husky sledding.
After heading out onto a frozen lake with your guide, you'll learn how to drill a hole through the ice before trying your luck at catching local fish such as perch. Even if the fish aren't biting, the peaceful surroundings and chance to experience a traditional Finnish activity make it a memorable way to spend a few hours outdoors.
Many guided trips also include hot drinks and snacks cooked over an open fire, giving you the opportunity to warm up while learning more about local traditions and life in the Arctic.
💡 Top tip: Don't worry if you've never been fishing before. Ice fishing trips are designed for beginners, and the experience is just as much about enjoying the scenery and learning a traditional Finnish skill as it is about catching fish.
While Ruka is famous for its downhill ski slopes, it's also one of Finland's best destinations for cross-country skiing. The area has an extensive network of well-maintained trails that wind through snow-covered forests, across frozen lakes and over the surrounding fells, offering a peaceful way to explore the Arctic landscape.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced skier, there are routes to suit all abilities. Equipment hire is widely available, and several local providers offer lessons if you'd like to learn the basics before heading out on your own.
Cross-country skiing is one of Finland's favourite winter activities, and it's easy to see why. It's a fantastic way to slow down, enjoy the scenery and experience the outdoors beyond the main ski resort.
💡 Top tip: If you've only ever tried downhill skiing, don't be put off by cross-country skiing. The techniques are completely different, and many beginners find it a fun and rewarding way to explore the snowy landscapes at a more relaxed pace.
Whether you're planning a family holiday, a ski trip or a DIY Lapland adventure, these are the experiences I'd add to your itinerary:
🎿 Ski at Ruka Ski Resort
🏔️ Visit Riisitunturi National Park
🐕 Go Husky Sledding
🦌 Visit a Reindeer Farm
🛷 Go Snowmobiling
🌌 Chase the Northern Lights
❄️ Visit the Frozen Waterfalls of Korouoma
🥾 Go Snowshoeing
🔥 Relax in a Traditional Finnish Sauna
🏎️ Try Ice Karting
🐴 Go Horse Riding Through the Snow
🎢 Ride the Ruka Coaster
🌊 Go River Floating
🌲 Explore Oulanka National Park
🏘️ Wander Around Ruka Village
👨👩👧 Visit Rosa & Rudolf Family Park
🛷 Play at the Children's Snow Park at Lammintupa
🎅 Spend a Day at Santa's Cottage
🎣 Try Ice Fishing
⛷️ Go Cross-Country Skiing
Book through GetYourGuide and use our exclusive code BUILDABREAK5 in the app to save 5% on eligible bookings.
Absolutely. While Ruka and Kuusamo don't receive the same attention as Rovaniemi or Levi, they offer everything many people dream of when planning a Lapland holiday. You'll find incredible skiing, husky sledding, reindeer experiences, snowmobiling, Finnish saunas, spectacular national parks and excellent opportunities to see the Northern Lights, all in a setting that often feels quieter and less crowded than Finland's better-known resorts.
If you're looking for a destination that combines outdoor adventure with beautiful Arctic scenery, Ruka and Kuusamo are well worth adding to your shortlist. They're particularly appealing for independent travellers who want to build their own itinerary and experience a different side of Finnish Lapland.
Planning your own trip? Don't miss my DIY Guide to Ruka & Kuusamo, where I've covered everything from flights and accommodation to the best time to visit, how many days you'll need and whether you should hire a car. If you're still deciding which part of Lapland is right for you, you'll also find guides comparing Levi vs Rovaniemi, along with my budget tips, packing guide and UK flights to Lapland.
Whenever I spot great-value DIY Lapland flights and accommodation from UK airports, I share them with members of the Build a Break Travel Club. If you'd like to experience Lapland without paying package holiday prices, it's a great place to start.
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