Studying | Country and region | Life and leisure | Survival tips

Look and feel your Winter Dream

Text: Riikka Pehkonen Photos: Photos Courtesy of Ruka

Oulu is a real northern city, that's for sure: winter is dark and cold and almost everyone owns skis. Yes – but still, where are the mountains? Or have you ever seen a reindeer here? If you fancy a bit more northern exotic feeling and winter action you should visit Ruka - the most popular skiing centre in Finland.

Ruka is the most popular skiing centre in Finland. If you want to try something really extreme, just go to the international level BatteryPark.

Ruka lies 240 km north-east of Oulu. The easiest way is to make a one-day trip by a ski bus. It’s also worth asking your Student Union OSAKO at Oulu UAS if they organise trips to Ruka this winter. The Oulu-Ruka-Oulu ski bus travels almost every weekend from November to May. The one-way trip takes three hours from Oulu. The bus travel itself offers a real Lapland experience as the bus will be stopped by herds of reindeer walking in the middle of the road with no hurry to go anywhere.

Ruka-mountain is 491 metres high. Actually it is not a mountain but rather a fell because there used to be trees on top. There are two other fells next to Ruka: Valtavaara and Konttainen. The nature offers unforgettable scenes and memories for travellers: rugged country and shimmering white snow.

Styles are many: alpine skiing, snowboarding or telemark and not only taunting gradients for professionals. There are also gentle slopes for beginners.

Renting equipments

Easiest way to get started is to rent skis and other equipment from the Ruka rental shop. They have all kinds of skis and boards for all needs and for every level skier. Full ski set for three hours costs 22 euros. When you rent equipment make sure that you get a helmet. It is essential for your own safety and a part of every downhill skier’s costume. You should wear warm and wind proof clothes which also protect your head and fingers. Good clothing makes outdoor activities much more enjoyable.

Ruka has 20 lifts altogether. They are open every day from 9.30 am until 7 pm. Sitting in a six-person chairlift with a bubble cover offers a great change to start conversation with your fellow traveller – even shy Finns cannot be quiet when packed in these lifts like sardines! If you feel yourself unsafe in the lift, please ask the personnel to slow down the speed. On the top of the mountain it is time to enjoy the great view spreading ahead.

Winter action

Did you know that they have arranged Freestyle World Championships in Ruka? So now it’s good change to get fast! And styles are many: alpine skiing, snowboarding or telemark. If you want to try something really extreme, just go to the international level Vuosseli SuperPipe or BatteryPark.

Not only taunting gradients for professionals, there are also gentle slopes for beginners. You can find 29 different slopes around the mountain. The longest one is about 1300 meters. If you think the slopes are not for you, you can try traditional cross-country skiing or snow shoeing - or just have a nice cup of hot-chocolate in a ski-restaurant!