Snowhow in Ruka Ski Resort

RUKA’S SNOW-HOW BRINGS WINTER TO THE COORDINATES OF SNOW

Due to first class snow-how, efficient snowmaking equipment and storing snow over summer, you can ski over 200 days in Ruka. Minus temperatures, snowfall or turning on snow cannons aren’t necessary features in order to get the season started, as the slope in Saarua is opened in autumn on the beforehand chosen day, thanks to the stored snow. When the minus temperatures arrive, Ruka’s snow cannons will be turned on in order to form snow covers lasting all winter long on the rest of the Ruka’s slopes. The snow stored over summer is made ready for the slopes during the cold winter temperatures, when the snow cannons can be utilized as energy efficiently as possible.

Ruka is one of the Europe’s most snow-sure ski resorts and at its best, your skiing experience is perfected by the soft natural snow banks, for which Ruka’s climate is truly ideal. 
 

SEASON IS KICKED OFF WITH STORED SNOW

The new technique for storing snow over summer was tested for the first time in summer 2016. During winter, a several meters high snow layer was created with the snow cannons to Saarua’s slope 13 which was driven into three big piles in the spring. Snow piles were covered with white gauze and partly with saw dust. Stored snow formed approx. 20 meters wide and a half a meter thick snow layer over the entire length of the slope.  This technique proved functional and suitable for development, and for this reason, stored snow wiill be an essential part of Ruka’s snow guaratee for the future..
 

STORED SNOW SLOPE IS THE RESULT OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN HIGH END TECHNIQUE AND SKILLED PEOPLE 

In May, when the slopes are closed, the snow that is left there is collected and driven into big piles at Saarua’s ski area. Several meters high snow piles are stored over summer under sawdust and felt darp. Mikko Martikainen, the “snow whisperer”, whose professional skills have been utilized e.g. in Sochi Olympics, has been one of the people developing techniques that improve snow storing.

When the snow gets digged up from under the darps, it gets spread on the slopes in three shifts around the clock. PistenBully’s SNOWSAT-system that shows the thickness of the snow with centimeter precision in real time is used to help the drivers. This system helps to spread and level the snow. Snow melts a bit during summer, but e.g. in autumn 2017 the stacks had still 80 000 cubic meters of snow, which made it possible to open two slopes. It takes around 4 days to spread the snow. Then it’s time to let the excited skiers and snowboarders back to the slopes after summer break.

RUKA’S SNOWMAKING MACHINERY

– At their best, Ruka’s over hundred different snow cannons make over 1250 cubic meters of snow in an hour.

– Ruka has 25 Technoalpin’s movable and efficient blow cannons at use.

– There are 50 Lance-high pressure cannons by the sides of the slopes. In addition, there are altogether 30 movable and stationary traditional model snow cannons around the ski areas. 

– The automatic snowmaking system covers Vuosseli 24, Superpipe, Front Slopes, FIS-slope and Saarua slopes 12 and 13

– Front Slope snowmaking systems are further improved in summer 2019.