Kuusamo has approximately 240 km of ski trails maintained by the City of Kuusamo, of which 40 km are lit.
Cross country ski trails
477 km of free ski trails
Kuusamo centre has around 38 km of ski trails. The Ruka area has approximately 125 km of ski trails to enjoy, of which 23 km are lit. In late winter, 77 km of different connection ski trails are opened.
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.
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
The first ski trail will be opened on stored snow in Ruka Ski Stadium area on Friday 13.10.2023 at 10.
The list of the open ski trails as well as more information about maintenance can be found in online ski trail map.
Feedback on ski trails: info@rukakuusamo.fi.
New: Multi-purpous Vuossel outdoor trail
Update coming soon, this text was presented in spring 2023: Vuosseli ski trail around Ruka's Vuosselijärvi and Rokova area will be turned into a year-round multi-purpous outdoor trail, and the multi-use will be tested during spring 2023. In addition to skiing, you can ride a fatbike and walk on the route, and temporary signs have been installed on the route. In the testing phase, experiences are gathered both in the use and maintenance of the route. Each mode of transport is assigned its own "lanes" and the joint responsibility of route users is emphasized.
Joint use will be successful with a positive attitude towards the multi-use of the route and respect for other users. However, during the testing phase, the modes of transportation are limited so that only skiing is allowed on the section between the newest underpass and Uuttusuo. On the rest of the route, in addition to skiing, you can ride a fatbike and walk.
In the Vuosseli outdoor trail project, the city of Kuusamo invested in Ruka to convert Vuosseli's old skitrail into a year-round outdoor trail with the support of the European Rural Development Fund managed by the North Ostrobothnia ELY Center. The approved funding for the project is 819 896 €, divided as follows: EU 344 356 €, State 299 571 € and the city of Kuusamo 245 969 €. The three-year project will be completed in 2023.
About the route project: Pasi Rääpysjärvi, tel. 040 860 8039.
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.
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.
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 allowed on certain ski trails
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.
These ski trail sections have clear signs regarding walking on the trail.
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
Ruka area ski trails are groomed within 12 hours of snowfall ending and every day from 20 February to 15 April, according to snow conditions and weather. In addition, on days with snowfall, Ruka’s circular trail is groomed twice (in the morning and the afternoon) from 20 February to 15 April.
The 5 km ski trail at Ruka Ski Stadium is groomed every day from 20 December to 6 January.
Other trails are groomed later in the week, usually on Thursday or Friday. If snowfall is predicted, ski trails are only groomed after snowfall has ended. Ski trails are primarily maintained until 30 April for as long as night temperatures are below zero.
Ice conditions permitting, the Alakylä ski trail is groomed 4–5 times a week, within 12 hours from the end of snowfall.
Check the opening hours and condition of ski trails from the online service before setting off to ski!
Oulanka Wilderness Trail
The trail is closed from Winter 2022-2023. 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.
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.
