Self‑sufficient in Kuusamo: The TaigaSchool Eco Hotel family lives as they teach

Tourism in Ruka-Kuusamo is founded upon the region’s magnificent natural attractions. Hence, the promotion of responsible tourism is especially important for local tourism businesses. Through the Sustainable Travel Finland program (STF) by Visit Finland, companies can incorporate sustainable practices and responsible choices into their daily operations.

Living as self‑sufficiently as possible had always been second nature to Judith Rink, host of the Taiga School Eco Hotel: growing one’s own food, keeping chickens, and using natural materials – whether for clothes, cosmetics, or cleaning products.

In her youth, Rink practised competitive gymnastics, which helped her understand early on the importance of exercise and healthy nutrition.

“I don’t even know any other way of living,” she says.

Back in the Netherlands, Rink and her husband ran a business offering various wellbeing experiences for corporate clients. When a large corporation wanted to organise an extreme week abroad for its executive team – with exercise, breathing practices, and sauna – the couple discovered Kuusamo.

“The week became exactly the kind of experience we had always wanted to offer our clients,” Rink explains.

The decision to move their home and business to Kuusamo was sealed when the couple found a building for sale in Ronkaisenranta, perfectly suited for a retreat centre.

“We wanted to return to a more authentic and harmonious lifestyle that would allow for a deep connection with nature. In Kuusamo, we found our calling. Combining accommodation with experience services allows us to share our lifestyle with others as well,” Rink says.

“We also love skiing and snowboarding, and Ruka is only a ten‑minute drive away,” she adds.

More Than Accommodation: An Eco‑Home and Eco‑School

Taiga School is more than a place to stay: it is like a home where guests can learn a peaceful, nature‑oriented way to travel and live.

The principles of self‑sufficiency align closely with the requirements of responsible tourism. It was therefore natural for the Rinks to first apply for the Green Key certificate and later the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label.

The Rinks were already growing their own food, had a greenhouse and chicken coop, solar panels, and a variety of glamping options – from spacious canvas tents to charming wooden cabins and Tentsile tree tents. Even so, the STF programme offered new insights and improvement ideas for their already sustainable operations.

“The biggest thing was monitoring water usage. We hadn’t realised before how much water, for example, showering consumes or how much taps can differ. And although we recycled our waste, we hadn’t tracked the quantities. Monitoring and calculations really help when making changes,” Rink says.

There is still work to be done. For example, the refrigerators that came with the building are old and consume a lot of energy; they will be replaced with more efficient models. The building also needs additional insulation to conserve heat.

“I still have a lot to learn about the climate in Kuusamo. Pursuing self‑sufficiency here in the north is completely different from doing it in the Netherlands,” Rink points out.

In addition to self‑sufficiency, the Rinks are eager to take sustainability thinking even further. The word *School* in the hotel’s name reflects how visitors, alongside their experiences, can also learn about sustainable lifestyles, nutritious natural ingredients, and the wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature.

“Most of our customers are Dutch companies. They choose us because we operate sustainably. When our corporate clients see how STF businesses in the region inspire and support each other in becoming even more responsible, the impact multiplies,” Rink says.

Read more:
Sustainable Tourism in Ruka-Kuusamo
Taiga School

Published: May 4, 2025
Text: Pauliina Toivanen
Photos: Taiga School