Get more value at the start of the season! The Early Season Discount -20% off regular prices is valid from 2 October to 30 November 2026 and applies only to tickets purchased through the online store. The Early Season Discount does not apply to season passes, pedestrian tickets, or Ruka Coaster tickets.
Ruka season passes are on sale in our webshop and ticket sales points. You can load your season pass onto a keycard at our ticket sales points during the winter season.
Kuusamo has approximately 270 km of ski trails in total, maintained by the City of Kuusamo, of which 40 km are lit.
Out of those 270 km of ski trails, Kuusamo centre has around 60 km of ski trails. The Ruka area has approximately 100 km of ski trails to enjoy, of which 20 km are lit. In addition, a total of 270 km of different connection ski trails and ski trails around smaller villages or in the wilderness 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.
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:
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.
The first snow ski trails open on preserved snow in Saarua slope area during mid-October. More ski trails will be opened as soon as there's enough snow.
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.
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 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.
The minimum maintenance frequency between weeks 8, 9 and 10 (winter holiday period) as well as weeks 14 and 15 (Easter) is daily. Due to exceptionally challenging weather conditions (severe cold, snowstorms), changes to the maintenance schedules may occur.
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 frequency is every 2–3 days. However, the guiding principle is that the ski tracks are always kept as suitable as possible for skiers. Due to exceptionally challenging weather conditions (severe cold, snowstorms), changes to the maintenance schedules may occur.
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.
Please Note! During the winter season 2025–2026, no classic ski track will be prepared on the route. The route will function as a multi-use trail intended for skiing, fatbiking, and snowshoeing.
The trail is groomed once a week with a snowmobile and has a ski track for Nordic style skiers. More details on Facebook group Oulangan Erämaareitti and on the website of Oulanka National Park.
Karhunkierros Wilderness Trail 50 km consists of four sections:
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.
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.
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 (embedded below). Ski trail maintenance details are available on Fluentprogress ski trail map.
