Published May 7, 2026
Ruka Named Ski Resort of the Year 2026 – Determined Development Work Rewarded
The Finnish Ski Resort Association (SHKY) awarded Ruka the title of Ski Resort of the Year at its spring meeting in Saariselkä on May 5, 2026.
Ruka, selected as Ski Resort of the Year 2026, stood out for its exceptionally strong and versatile development work, visible both on the slopes and across the entire resort’s operations.
Ruka has been named Ski Resort of the Year 2026. The prestigious recognition was granted by the Finnish Ski Resort Association (SHKY) at its spring meeting in Saariselkä on May 5, 2026. The selection is a strong indication of Ruka’s long-term and ambitious development work, where customer experience, safety, sports facilities, and year-round operations progress consistently side by side.
Based on the award jury’s assessment and a broad consumer survey, Ruka stood out as a resort where development is genuinely visible in everyday life—through smoother ski days, more diverse experiences, and a strong year-round appeal. The development is systematic and tangible on the slopes, in services, and in the overall atmosphere.
The new eight-seat MastoExpress chairlift – Photo by Simo Vilhunen
Customer experience on the slopes is reflected in concrete investments
At the heart of Ruka’s development work is a smooth and experience-driven customer journey on the slopes. Investments made in recent years are clearly visible in practice: slope areas function better, skiing is more versatile, and the overall layout is clearer for different target groups.
The development of the Masto area has improved slope traffic flow, streamlined services, and diversified skiing opportunities, especially with families and active enthusiasts in mind.
In addition, the Ruka Coaster, the world’s northernmost alpine roller coaster, completed in summer 2025 and attracting wide international attention, has introduced an entirely new type of experience to the area. It expands the mountain experience beyond skiing and strengthens Ruka’s year-round offering.
Ruka Coaster mountain roller coaster – Photo by Veera Vihervaara
A leading training and park skiing destination in Finland
As an Olympic Training Center, Ruka is known for its top-level snow sports conditions for park skiing, mogul skiing, alpine skiing, freestyle jumps, and cross-country skiing. The 2025–2026 winter season further strengthened this position as international and Finnish elite athletes arrived in Ruka with their teams to prepare for the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics. Ruka Premium Park served as one of the world’s most important training hubs for freeskiers and snowboarders ahead of the Olympics, while Battery Run and Pessari supported mogul skiers, and the Aerials jumps catered to freestyle jumpers. As a pioneer in snow storage since 2016, Ruka has enabled high-quality conditions throughout one of the world’s longest winter seasons, lasting over 200 days.
Ruka Premium Park – Photo by Arttu Heikkinen, pictured Erik Jurmu
Bold initiatives and genuine customer focus
Bold and meaningful initiatives are an essential part of Ruka’s operations. One of the most visible was a campaign carried out during the anniversary season 2024–2025, in which a season pass was offered to all 10-year-olds in Finland. The aim was to lower the threshold for taking up skiing nationwide. In addition, Ruka will continue to offer season passes annually to local 10-year-olds as part of its long-term responsibility work, supporting families and inspiring young people to embrace snow sports.
Renewed Masto slope area – Photo by Veera Vihervaara
Supporting sports culture is a value-based choice at Ruka
Ruka’s work is guided by a genuine desire to support and grow snow sports culture. This is a value-driven choice to place snow sports, their communities, and long-term commitment at the center of everything.
This is reflected in events, training conditions, youth support, and the way the resort is developed together with enthusiasts, athletes, and partners. Ruka wants to be a place where the joy of snow sports is created and passed on from one generation to the next.
Ruka Playground in Vuosseli – Photo by Matilda Huomo
Experiences and events that move the sport forward
Ruka is an active contributor to the development of the entire skiing culture. Solina Sessions, which received the Deed of the Year award at the SHKY event, is an excellent example of an event that strengthens community spirit and lowers the threshold for skiing, especially for young women. Created by Enni Rukajärvi and Anni Kärävä, the event represents forward-looking initiatives that enrich Finnish skiing culture as a whole.
Solina Sessions – Photo by Harri Tarvainen
Safety at the core – Pyhä named Patrol Center of the Year
The awards ceremony also highlighted pioneers of mountain safety. Our sister resort Pyhä was named Patrol Center of the Year 2026 thanks to its determined and proactive safety work. Pyhä was especially praised for its safety efforts in off-piste skiing. The recognition highlights the vital and extensive role of patrol operations in a modern ski resort.
Looking to the future
The Ski Resort of the Year 2026 award is above all a confirmation of the work done and the direction Ruka is heading. Ruka will continue its determined development, where quality, memorable experiences, safety, and sports culture go hand in hand. In the coming years, development will take Ruka even further toward becoming a year-round mountain resort that attracts visitors from across Europe to enjoy its unique nature and active outdoor lifestyle.
This award has been earned together—and it will be celebrated on the slopes.
Polar Night Light Festival – Photo by Simo Vilhunen
