Ruka has the largest dedicated beginner ski area in Finland and quiet slopes, with plenty of space for practising those turns, make it ideal for learners. Snow is never an issue either, so you'll have lovely, soft snow to learn on. The Rosa and Rudolf snow park in Vuosseli has three magic carpets and is great fun for children and adults. The ski school groups tend to be small, so learning is more personal, and the English-speaking instructors are so good that they should have you skiing most of the runs by the end of the week.
Grooming is excellent in Ruka and the resort is ideal for intermediate skiers looking to improve their technique. There are no lift queues and plenty of tree lined runs to ski. You will particularly enjoy the challenges of the red runs on the western side of the mountain.
Expert skiers will enjoy the steeper red slopes and black runs on the north and western side of the mountain. There's also a freestyle area, mogul field and some exciting off-piste through the trees. The men's World Cup for Freestyle skiing was held in Ruka in Dec 2010.
All of the cross-country trails in Ruka are free to use and many are suitable for both classic and skating styles. Once the sun sets, you can also have a go at one of the many illuminated trails in Ruka and Kuusamo that are open until 9pm every evening.
Ruka doesn't have the most challenging slopes, but it is the perfect beginners' resort with English-speaking instructors and beautifully soft powder. However, Ruka did host the World Cup Snowboarding Championships in 2005, so it does know how to look after its riders. Intermediates have a huge range of wide pistes for carving, and if you're feeling confident, the Vuosseli area has a huge 130 metre FIS-classified superpipe for you to play on. And if you love speed, the cross-course (also on Vuosseli) offers challenges to snowboarders of all levels. Ruka's Battery Park is for the serious freestylers with jumps, boxes, rails, a minipipe and lots more.
Prices given below for lift passes, equipment hire, ski school and packages are for information purposes only and may fluctuate during the season. Current prices can be found by proceeding with your booking.
6 days | Adult (18-64)
| Youth (12-17) | Child (6-11) | Senior (65+) |
Lift pass (low) | £158 | £134 | £110 | £110 |
Lift pass (high) | £174 | £149 | £110 | £110 |
Lift pass coverage: • Ruka
• Night skiing on Fridays until 11pm
• Bus service in Ruka during ski slope opening times
Photo required for lift pass: No
6 days
| Adult (12-65)
| Child (up to 11 years) | Senior (66+) |
Standard skis | £83 | £52 | £52 |
Standard ski boots | | £36 | £36 |
Standard skis and boots | £105 | £62* | £62 |
Standard snowboard | £83 | £52 | £52 |
Standard snowboard and boots | £105 | £62* | £62 |
Intermediate skis | £105 | - | - |
Intermediate skis and boots | £134 | - | - |
Superior snowboard | £105 | - | - |
Superior snowboard and boots | £134 | - | - |
Helmet | £24 | £24 | - |
* Includes a helmet.
| Days | Adult (13+)
| Child (5-11)* |
Ski tuition (1 hour 40 minutes) | 5 | £148 | £139 |
Board tuition (1 hour 40 minutes) | 5 | £148 | £139 |
There are two time slots for tuition:
Mornings: at 11am (Mon) and 10am (all other days)
Afternoons: 2pm
*Child is 8-11 years for board
Please note: If there aren't enough participants to run group lessons, you will be given private lessons equivalent to the price paid for group tuition.
| Adult (18+)
| Child (6-11*)
|
First time ski | £283 | £209 |
First time board | £283 | £209 |
*Child 8-13 for board
For complete beginners only and includes:
• 4 day lift pass
• 6 days equipment hire
• 5 day tuition - 1 hour 40 minutes per day
• helmet for children
Please note: There are two time slots for tuition - morning at 11am/10am and afternoon at 2pm.
Reduced prices for youths aged 12-17 years.
| Adult (18+)
| Child (6-11*) |
Improver ski pack | £364 | £251 |
Improver board pack | £364 | £251 |
*Child 8-13 for board
Includes:
• 6 day lift pass
• 6 day equipment hire
• 5 day tuition - 1 hour 45 minutes per day
• helmet for children
Please note: There are two slots for tuition - morning at 11am/10am and afternoon at 2pm.
Reduced prices for youths aged 12-17 years.