Things to know before a bike school lesson

Here’s what you need to know before your lesson – please read below.

Please make sure, that you at the right time at the right meeting place, with a biker's lift ticket and biking equipment. Helmet is mandatory. Thin gloves are also recommended accessories for the better grip. Make sure you have something to drink with you and you wear outdoor clothing according to the weather conditions of the day.

You also need to consider the time required to move from the rental shop to the meeting place.

You are responsible for the bike throughout the rental, so keep it as your own. All Rukakeskus bike rentals have a 200 € deductible. We recommend adding our coverage plan when renting, which reduces the deductible in case of damage to 50 euros. Our coverage does not apply to stolen/lost bicycles. You can buy it when you come to pick up your rental bike at Piste rental shop.

MEETING PLACES

Our bike school has two meeting places.

1. PISTE (Ruka Village area) 

The sign for the meeting place is on the corner of the Piste rental house / restaurant, on the side of slopes and the gondola lift-line.
Group courses and mountain biking tours always start at Piste.

2. FAMILY PARK (Ruka Valley, East Ruka)

The meeting place sign is at the end of the courtyard between Rosa & Rudolf Family Park and the Camp Kitchen restaurant, on the side of the Bistro terrace.
Smaller kids' private lessons for beginners always start at the Family Park meeting place.

LIFT TICKETS

For the Bike Park private lessons and courses, you also need a biker's lift ticket.
A Ruka Fun Pass is also valid at Bike Park.
You can buy your lift ticket with cheaper price online.

The smaller children first beginner lesson is always held at Family Park, which is free-of-charge during the Summer season. If you chose the meeting point for small child beginner lesson to be Family Park, the Gondola lift ticket is not needed. You could have also chosed the meeting point to be Piste, when the teaching time also includes the Gondola ride with an instructor. The child then needs a Gondola roundtrip ticket.

If you booked a mountain bike tour, the lift ticket is not needed.
 

EQUIPMENT

Before attending the bike school group or private lesson, the student must also have bike ready. At the downhill biking beginner lessons (level 0-1) you need to have a bike with hand brakes, either MTB or full suspension bike. At the levels 2-3 full suspension bike and fullface helmet are highly recommended.

If you do not have your own bike, you can rent it from Ruka rental companies. It's recommended to make a rental in advance through the online store. With the pre-book you ensure that you will get the equipment that is the best fit for you.

Piste rental place opens daily at 9.30AM. Please arrive at the rental shop at least 30 min. before the start of the lesson. Also, note the time needed to get to the meeting point.

Helmet is mandatory at bike school lessons. It is also recommended to use other protectors for downhill biking (knee, elbow and chest protectors) and goggles/sunglasses. You can rent dh protective set at Piste rental place.

Thin gloves are also recommended accessories for the better grip on cold but also on warm day. Do not use loose trousers that can get caught between the chains. The best biking shoes are flat ones.

Summer Explorer Camp and Ruka Summit Excursions

Gondola ticket is included to the tours. You'll receive it from the guide at the beginning of the tour.

Ruka Summit Excursions: the starting time of the tour is the time when participants should be at Piste rental place. You'll rent your bikes with the guide and the tour starts when everyone is ready.

Make sure you have weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. A water bottle is recommended. Thin gloves are also recommended accessories for the better grip on cold but also on warm day.

Summer Explorer: meeting is inside the Piste rental store.
Make sure you have weather-appropriate clothing and footwear.