Cross country ski trails

Update on Vuosseli Outdoor Trail

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.

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. 

• 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!  

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. 

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. More details on Facebook page Karhunkierros and on the website of Oulanka National Park. 

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)

• 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).