Ruka-Kuusamossa on runsas ja hyväkuntoinen latuverkosto

Cross country ski trails

435 km of free ski trails

Kuusamo has approximately 270 km of ski trails maintained by the City of Kuusamo, of which 40 km are lit.

Kuusamo centre has around 60 km of ski trails. The Ruka area has approximately 100 km of ski trails to enjoy, of which 17 km are lit. In addition, a total of 165 km of different connection ski trails and ski trails around smaller villages are opened usually in February.

All ski trails in Ruka and Kuusamo are free of charge; most ski trails are suitable for Nordic and skating styles. On lit ski trails, lights are on every day from 7:00 in the morning until 21:00 in the evening. Skiing with dogs is allowed on certain trails.

Ruka’s free ski trail map and Kuusamo’s free ski trail map are distributed from Ruka Info, Kuusamo Info and hotel receptions.

Updates on Ruka-Kuusamo ski trails during winter 2023-2024

  • More ski trails will be opened as soon as snow conditions allow. 
  • Due to the challenging snow conditions during November-December 2023, there may be gravel in the middle of the ski trails on some trails. 
  • Regarding Vuosseli Outdoor Trail, please read instructions of use since this trail is open for skiers, walkers and winter bikers alike. Note: no dogs allowed on this trail during winter. 
  • The list of the open ski trails as well as more information about maintenance can be found in online ski trail map.
  • Please note that ski trails, which are marked in online map as pohjustettu are not officially open yet and can be partly not fixed yet for example on lake parts. 

Ski trail maintenance: Virkkulan Latu- ja Reittihuolto Oy.
Feedback on ski trails: info@rukakuusamo.fi. 

Ski trail map online

New: Multi-purpose Vuosseli Outdoor Trail

Update on Vuosseli Outdoor Trail

Content updated on 5.12.2023, at 14:56.

Ruka's Vuosseli trail, known as a skiing trail for decades, has transformed into an outdoor trail with various forms of mobility in a project spanning several years. In its winter form, the outdoor trail offers space for Nordic and skate skiing, fatbike riding and walking. During the summer, the trail can be used for walking, running, cycling (regardless of tire width), and optionally, dog walking (dog walking is prohibited in the winter due to safety and usability issues).

Usage Modes of the Trail
The versatility and multi-sport nature of the outdoor trail mean that users need to cooperate and consider others. This also implies a new approach to trail maintenance. However, this is the first multi-use trail with simultaneous use of different modes in Kuusamo.

Based on feedback received, the usage modes of the trail will be arranged as follows:

  • On the recommended route, the left side is for Nordic skiing, and next to it is the skate skiing lane. These are opposing lanes.
  • On their right side, there is another skate skiing lane, and on its right side is the Nordic skiing lane. These are lanes for the recommended direction.
  • On the right side of the skiing lanes, there are lanes for cycling and walking. These can be used in both directions.

At the beginning of winter, when there is less snow, the width of the skate skiing lanes may be narrower than in midwinter when the entire width of the trail can be utilized. It is important for each user to take responsibility for staying in their designated lane and being considerate of other users. The key is to ensure that the use of the outdoor trail is enjoyable for all modes of transportation, and that users return to the trail.

Vuosseli Outdoor Trail

Signage
The recommended direction for the trail is counterclockwise (Saarua-ahon underpass - Uuttusuo - Korpikahvila - Lammintupa - Vuosseli hut), and the signage will be completed by the summer of 2024. Large signboards have already been installed on the trail, including a route map, your current location, trail etiquette, and location information. Similarly, most of the brown-based directional signs along the trail have been installed, indicating the trail's name and the location of nearby trailside attractions. Signs indicating the trail's multi-use nature will be installed in their final locations during summer 2024. The trail is also numbered as "1," and these "1" signs will also be installed next summer. This helps users understand the trail, regardless of their language background.

Maintenance
The contractor responsible for ski trail maintenance maintains the trail according to the city's guidelines. In the early winter, the composition and amount of snow affect when the trail can be fully prepared for use. Also, using the entire width of the trail requires a substantial amount of snow, which may not be available early in the season. Dry, freezing snow compacts significantly, and, for example, a traditional skiing track may not be opened as quickly as one might think. It takes several tens of centimeters of snow to create a skiing track along the entire length of the trail. The trail cannot be fully prepared for use unless the conditions allow it.

In the early season, trails are prepared by leveling them. At this stage, in the Fluent Outdoors service, it is labeled as "Pohjustettu (ei latu-uraa)" or "Leveled (no skiing track)." There is snow on the trail at this point, but the surface is still uneven, and there may be small rocks in the snow. When the status changes to "Avoin, ylläpidetty" or "Open, maintained," the trail is in full working condition.

For up-to-date trail and maintenance information, visit the Fluent Outdoors service

The first snow ski trails are opened with preserved snow

The first snow ski trails open on preserved snow in Ruka Ski Stadium area on 13.10.2023, and more snow is added to ski trails right after the temperatures reach about –5 °C. The Saarua lit ski trail in Ruka is opened for skiing right after first snow, even with a little snow on the ground, weather permitting.

Ensilumen latu Rukan Hiihtostadionilla
Ski trail network open according to snow situation and temperatures

Ski trails are opened when the snow and ice situation allows, which means as soon as there is enough natural snow and ice on lakes that can carry a snow groomer. Similarly, ski trails are closed in the spring when lack of snow, water on frozen lakes or weak ice situation prevent grooming.

Maastohiihtäjä, Ruka-Kuusamo
Get to know the ski trail map and trail markings

Skiing styles: Nordic and skating. Difficulty levels in the free printed ski trail map: Blue = easy, red = medium, black = difficult.

Ski trails also suitable for kids include the Talvijärvi ski trail and Vuosseli ski trail in Ruka as well as all ski trails in the proximity of Kuusamo centre.

Walking on ski trails is strictly forbidden, with a few exceptions

Walking is allowed in Kuusamo centre on the edge of the Ympäryslatu circular ski trail along the route Kolvankijoki bridge – Sports centre – Kirkkosaari bridge – Tolpanniementie.

Walking is allowed in Ruka also on the Talvijärvi dog trail if the dog trail runs as a separate ski trail next to the actual ski trail tracks. Please note: skier with dogs advance at a very fast pace.

These ski trail sections have clear signs regarding walking on the trail.

Koirahiihtoa Ruka-Kuusamossa

Ski trail maintenance schedule:

Ruka area

  • Ruka Ski Stadium FIS ski trails
  • Saarua lit trail
  • Ruka circular trail
  • Talvijärvi dog skiing trail
  • Vuosseli ski trail
  • Valtavaara ski trail
  • Pyhävaara ski trail
  • Kuontivaara ski trail
  • Kivilampi ski trail

The minimum maintenance frequency during 15.2.-30.4. is once a day. In addition to the mentioned period, the illuminated ski trails (Saarua lit ski trail, Ruka Round Route, and FIS 5 km) will be maintained once a day during 20.12.-6.1.

At other times, during a period of no snowfall and calm weather, the minimum maintenance frequency is at least every three days. The principle is to ensure that the ski trails are always in the best possible condition for skiers to use. Due to exceptionally challenging weather conditions (severe cold, snowstorm), the minimum maintenance frequency mentioned above may be deviated from.

Maintenance time for Ruka Ski Stadium competition trails, FIS 7,5 km, and 10 km is during 15.2.-30.4.

Ski trails are primarily maintained until 30 April for as long as night temperatures are below zero. 

Check the opening hours and condition of ski trails from the online service before setting off to ski!  

Kuusamo city centre

The minimum maintenance frequency for ski trails in Kuusamo city centre is at least every three days. The principle is to ensure that the ski trails are always in the best possible condition for skiers to use. 

Oulanka Wilderness Trail

Medium difficulty, 26 km. Kiutaköngäs–Juuma. Can be travelled on snowshoes, bike or skis.

The trail is groomed once a week with a snowmobile and has a ski track for Nordic style skiers. Maintenance of the trail has been ended for the winter 2021-2022. More details on Facebook page Karhunkierros

Karhunkierros Wilderness Trail

Karhunkierros Wilderness Trail 50 km consists of four sections: 

  • Ruka-Valtavaara-Virkkula, 10 km of maintained ski trail (Nordic and skating styles, snowshoeing and cycling not permitted).
  • Virkkula-Juuma, 14 km ski trail (snowshoeing and cycling permitted next to the ski track). 
  • Juuma-Kiutaköngäs (Oulanka Wilderness Trail), 26 km (snowshoeing and cycling also permitted). 
  • Suorajärvi ski trail, 10 km of maintained ski trail (Nordic and skating styles, snowshoeing and cycling not permitted).

The Juuma-Kiutaköngäs section of the Wilderness Trail, or the so-called Oulanka Wilderness Trail, is maintained from February to April, additional information: Oulanka Visitor Centre: +358 (0)206 39 6850. Other sections are maintained when snow conditions permit from the Polar night to spring.

More information on Karhunkierros Wilderness Trail is available in Finnish on public Facebook group Karhunkierroksen erämaalatu.

karhunkierros Wilderness Trail (pdf)

Lit ski trails in Kuusamo’s villages

  • Kemilä
  • Kurkijärvi
  • Käylä
  • Maaselkä
  • Oivanki Youth Centre: lit at 17-20 not lit when temperature is below -18 C
  • Poussu
  • Puutteenkylä (groomed in springtime only)
  • Sossonniemi
  • Vasaraperä
  • Vuotunki

Local organisations are responsible for ski trail maintenance and grooming. Trails are groomed with a snowmobile equipped with a snow groomer. Ski style varies from village to village (Nordic, skating or both). 

Ski trails leading from marked trails to cottage areas are maintained by property owners.

Trails in further villages and trails maintained by private individuals: If you groom a ski trail, let Ruka Info info@rukakuusamo.fi know and your ski trail will be added on this website.

Ski trails of Ruka area on Outdooractive map application

If you wish to use map application when on ski trail, we recommend you to visit Outdooractive.com beforehand. You can find much more information about each ski trail from Outdooractive map. 

Take a look at these too:

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Ruka-Kuusamo icon lumikenkäily
Snowshoeing
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Ruka-Kuusamo icon pyöräily
Winter fatbiking