The climate organization for winter lovers, Protect Our Winters (POW) Finland, turns 10 this year. Long-time partners Ruka Ski Resort and Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association are joining the celebration with a special event on April 18, 2025. The program at Ruka includes the POW 10th anniversary ski parade and an Easter holiday adventure called “Save Our Winters – Slope Challenge.”
10 years of action for winters
Protect Our Winters Finland celebrates its anniversary at Ruka this Easter
Published 14.4.2025
Ruka has supported POW’s climate work from the very beginning. The Finnish chapter of POW was launched at Ruka in spring 2015. Now, over Easter, skiers, snowboarders and all fans of winter activities are invited to celebrate and take action for snowy winters.
“POW does important work on behalf of all of us who love snow sports, and supporting that work is a no-brainer for us. I’m proud that Ruka and Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association have been part of POW Finland's journey since day one. It's an honor to host this 10-year celebration, and we warmly welcome all winter lovers to join us,” says Janne-Juhani Haarma, CEO of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association.
Mikko “Peltsi” Peltola leads the POW anniversary ski parade
A highlight of the event is the POW anniversary ski parade, led by long-time POW ambassador, journalist and adventurer Mikko “Peltsi” Peltola. Everyone who enjoys the slopes is welcome to join—regardless of age or skill level.
Participants can prepare for the ski parade at the POW sign-making workshop, where everyone has the chance to craft their own messages in support of snowy winters and carry them during the group run.
“The four seasons and snowy winters are especially important to me, and that’s why I’m here! It’s amazing to see how much POW’s work has grown and made an impact over the last 10 years. I’m really looking forward to the ski parade and the chance to meet like-minded winter and nature lovers,” says Mikko “Peltsi” Peltola, POW ambassador.
Save Our Winters slope challenge – win a sustainable summer holiday
From April 18 to 21, 2025, the Save Our Winters slope challenge invites holidaymakers to take part in a fun, educational and climate-conscious adventure across Ruka’s slopes (in Finnish only). The checkpoints are spread across the fell area, with tasks and puzzles that highlight how everyday choices can shape the future of our winters.
“Ski resorts provide an excellent setting to engage people in climate action. We wanted to offer Ruka’s Easter guests something inspiring and educational alongside their holiday. We hope as many people as possible will jump in and join us,” says Noora Vihervaara, Executive Director of Protect Our Winters Finland.
All participants in the slope challenge will be entered into a prize draw—with the main prize being a summer holiday at Ruka for four people!
Ruka and POW – 10 years of shared journey
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association and Ruka Ski Resort were among the first and most committed partners to support POW’s climate efforts, standing by the organization for a full decade. To mark this milestone, POW and Ruka-Kuusamo are deepening their collaboration in support of sustainable winter tourism. The partnership will focus especially on promoting rail travel to ski resorts and accelerating the electrification of tourism transport. Ruka-Kuusamo is committed to financially supporting POW’s climate work and developing sustainable tourism in the long term.
One of the key priorities is joint communication with visitors about the importance of sustainable travel. As one of Finland’s largest year-round travel destinations, Ruka has a wide reach and strong potential to create positive climate impact.
“This anniversary event is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in addressing the climate crisis,” Haarma states.
Inspiring winter lovers to take climate action
“Ten years ago, we set out to build a community that would stand up for winters and bring the voice of climate advocacy into winter sports. Today, we’ve become the voice of winter sports in climate action. It’s special to return to Ruka, where it all started, and see how far we’ve come. This event is not just a celebration of the past—it’s a call to everyone to take part in the climate actions of the next decade,” says Niklas Kaskeala, one of POW Finland’s founders.
Protect Our Winters Finland
Protect Our Winters Finland is part of the international climate organization that mobilizes winter enthusiasts—ski resorts, companies, athletes, hobbyists and researchers—to become part of the solution to the climate crisis. POW Finland shares knowledge and tools for more sustainable lifestyles, works with diverse partners to build a society within planetary boundaries, urges decision-makers to take bold climate action, and organizes events and campaigns.