Ruka, Kuusamo: Address, Phone Number, Ruka Reviews: 4.5/5
Ruka
4.5
About
Ruka-Kuusamo is surrounded by National Parks, pure nature and comprehensive services. In Ruka-Kuusamo area you can go active on adventures or relax in well-being services, enjoy good food and quality accommodation in stunning sceneries all year round.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
30 within 5 kms
Ruok Burger
235
94 mRR - RRR • Quick Bites • American • Bar
Hanki Baari
88
55 mRR - RRR • Quick Bites • Bar • Cafe
Classic Pizza Ruka
187
36 mRR - RRR • Italian • Pizza • European
Riipinen Wild Game Restaurant
238
0.4 kmRR - RRR • European • Grill • Scandinavian
Pizzeria Ruka
302
0.6 kmRR - RRR • Italian • Pizza • European
Ravintola Rukan Kuksa
177
0.1 kmRR - RRR • European • Grill
Colorado Mts. Bar & Grill Ruka
288
58 mRR - RRR • American • Southwestern • Cajun & Creole
Stefan's Steakhouse Ruka
101
53 mRRRR • Steakhouse • European
Restaurant Piste
73
0.2 kmRR - RRR • European
Restaurant Kaltiokivi & KarhuBar
97
0.1 kmRR - RRR • European • Scandinavian
Attractions
1 within 10 kms
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Popular mentions
4.5
388 reviews
Excellent
242
Very good
110
Average
25
Poor
6
Terrible
5
trickyb
Windsor, UK101 contributions
Dec 2021
We went with TUI from the UK. Flight was a bit delayed but the crew had made a big effort to make it a "Christmas-flight" (tinsel, lights, music on the plane), even at check-in they made a good effort. Easy transfer from the airport to our hotel/apartment.
The accommodation (Ruka Suites) was excellent for a family of 4. Decent amount of space, comfy beds, great kitchen, our own sauna and two toilets. It was super clean, quiet and with a nice balcony/view.
Ruka is a beautiful part of the world, great snow & in-resort facilities and the ski slopes are ideal for kids learning to ski. Our boys learned to ski really well (up to red slopes) in only 1 week.
Plenty of restaurants in town (they are all expensive, over £100 for pizza and a few drinks) but quality was great and very friendly staff. Decent supermarket in the resort, it's only small but has everything you need. Not much more than UK prices. Wine is tricky. Anything much over 5% alcohol has to be sold through Government shops and the nearest one isn't in the village, you have a 20-25 minute walk back down towards the main highway (where there is another, slightly bigger supermarket).
We did loads of great "non-skiing" activities (all booked through TUI but I'm sure they could all be booked "in resort". Husky dog sleighing, snowmobiling and (of course) a visit to Father Christmas. They were all really magical.
That's pretty much how I'd sum up Ruka in Winter. Magical!
The accommodation (Ruka Suites) was excellent for a family of 4. Decent amount of space, comfy beds, great kitchen, our own sauna and two toilets. It was super clean, quiet and with a nice balcony/view.
Ruka is a beautiful part of the world, great snow & in-resort facilities and the ski slopes are ideal for kids learning to ski. Our boys learned to ski really well (up to red slopes) in only 1 week.
Plenty of restaurants in town (they are all expensive, over £100 for pizza and a few drinks) but quality was great and very friendly staff. Decent supermarket in the resort, it's only small but has everything you need. Not much more than UK prices. Wine is tricky. Anything much over 5% alcohol has to be sold through Government shops and the nearest one isn't in the village, you have a 20-25 minute walk back down towards the main highway (where there is another, slightly bigger supermarket).
We did loads of great "non-skiing" activities (all booked through TUI but I'm sure they could all be booked "in resort". Husky dog sleighing, snowmobiling and (of course) a visit to Father Christmas. They were all really magical.
That's pretty much how I'd sum up Ruka in Winter. Magical!
Written 26 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rhiannon M
1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Couples
Excellent ski resort, especially for kids/adult beginners. Due to covid all restuarants and bars stop serving around 5pm and closed at 6pm but wasn't a problem. Weather this time of year is excellent and good snow, however can get extremely cold so make sure you pack well for it! The only downside to the trip, was that a hockey tournament has begun over the weekend and the hockey teams cause absolute chaos out in the corridors and in their rooms at night - shouting, screaming, drinking, banging on doors and have no consideration for those who are trying to sleep - especially as there are lots of people with young children, and it doesn't seem to be controlled in anyway. Would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for this. It also poses a slight safety risk as a lot of the attendees at the parties aren't guests of the hotel and are being let in the secure doors by the players. This wouldn't usually be something that I would allow to reflect on the hotel and resort itself, however there are no members of staff around to control the noise or to make noise complaints too.
Written 21 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Paul
Warminster, UK3 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Ruka is a ski area for I would say the intermediate skier, the runs are not to long or very challenging. Every run downgrade from the ski guide so blue is probably hard green and red a blue. Good novice slope for young children and starter skiers. With magic carpet lifts. Ski shops very helpful and was quiet at the the time of year. February is supposed to be very busy. Equipment was good most of it new. The valley has 3 bars come restaurant and small supermarket. The village has a lot more to choose from. Ski schools are my only complaint about the whole holiday. You could choose from beginner or intermediate. As my wife hadn’t been skiing in a while I book her into the intermediate. No a lot of teaching went on he was no better than a tour guide and others said the same about their instructions. The kids on the other hand seemed to be instructed well. A great holiday and Finland and Ruka is lovely, even if you don’t ski.
Written 17 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
tarjak4
Helsinki, Finland70 contributions
Sep 2021
We stayed two nights at the Ruka Valley and enjoyed the autumn colours at the top of and views from Ruka. There seemed to be good facilities for mountain biking and other off-season activities, as well as skiing in winter.
Written 17 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tomi Wickman
Helsinki, Finland2Â 159 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This place is so over priced. Restaurant prices above average with average quality level and average service levels. Great views from the top of the mountain and fun to ride with a slide back down
Written 5 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TeWe
Helsinki, Finland956 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Went here for a week of cross country skiing. Very nice experience, a lot of things to do and see. The skiing facilities are very good both for alpine and cross country skiing. A lot of different tracks to choose from, the most beautiful is to go to the top of Valtavaara, amazing views from there.
Written 21 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Joel K
Tampere, Finland185 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
Ruka is one of the southernmost places in Finland where it is almost certain that one can experience proper winter. Last year (2020) the snowline was not much to the south, although there was also much more snow here. All in all, a great location for winter activities.
Written 28 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mmikko
Joensuu, Finland1Â 655 contributions
Aug 2020
Tightly build area undr skislopes. Not very authentic place. everything is at close range, if you stay at cabins, hava a car.
Written 28 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ville V
Helsinki, Finland23 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Do not make internet reservation to Piste ski rental place. It is slower than the normal process - even if it should be vice versa. Very slow even in off season. Cross-country skiing routes are poorly marked. Good trailing routes though.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kberry913
Swansea, UK21 contributions
Jan 2020
This was our first winter holiday and We stayed in a log cabin about a ten minute walk from Ruka, which was beautiful and very well equipped .The scenery is breathtaking and with thermals and ski jackets/trousers we were never cold. There is plenty to do even though we were not skiers or snowboarders.It was nice to have a drink watching them.There are plenty of places to eat put in Ruka. We went on the Gondola, which was 10 euros per round trip as was the village express. The views on the trip and when you are at the top was amazing. There are plenty of excursions, and would recommend.........Ice fishing, husky farm visit(incredible to be in charge of the huskies pulling you on a sledge), after the ride we had coffee, sausages and rolls when we could ask questions. Reindeer farm....... again to be so close to these lovely animals was incredible. With coffee and pastries afterwards it finished off the visit perfectly. Snowmobile safari....2 hours of driving through beautiful scenery and forests was fantastic and last but not least a ride over Ruka and the surrounding area in a helicopter, stunning to see the area from the air. We will definitely be back.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LeanneC1988
Swindon, UK8 contributions
Hello, we are planning to travel to Ruka in Jan 2022 (due to be there in 3 weeks but Corona has other ideas!).
I just wondered if there has been any update on childcare options and/or baby sitting options? (Or do bars/restaurants allow children in later into the evening?
Thanks!
we thinking about to go to Ruka in January. Is snow is guaranteed in Ruka in January? Is there any childcare club?
latham_10
Stafford, UK345 contributions
Yes to snow. Is absolutely freezing so definitely snow. No childcare that I could find.
Traveller_Foodie05
England, UK57 contributions
I got a 6 day ski lift pass, does this cover the Gondalo too?
The pass I have doesn't have a barcode, how do I scan on entry?
latham_10
Stafford, UK345 contributions
It will be for the gondola too. No barcode needed. Must be a chip. We put them in ski pass pocket in our coats and never got them out. The machine can read it through your fabric. Great because quite a faff getting gloves off and on plus keeps pass dry as only made of card.but as said before keep a note of code in case it gets wet or bent.
cls_uk
Wilmslow, UK40 contributions
Thinking about combining a Xmas ski holiday with some santa stuff and wondering whether Ruka is good for this. We’ve got 7&10 year olds who are new to skiing so lessons definitely needed but is there a kids club too or is it just the 1hr45 minute lessons? Also, the Valley looks good as it’s close to the kids area and ski school but the village has more facilities - any thoughts on which is best for families would be great. Thanks!
latham_10
Stafford, UK345 contributions
Hi. No kids club just the lessons. Village better. No shops in valley to speak of and once gondola shuts you are pretty much stuck there unless you get a taxi round to village. We went for Christmas and it was great. Did Santa trip on 23rd December and loved it. Lots of restaurants and shops in village and it’s no bother getting gondola or bus over for lessons. We were afternoon lessons so no rush to get over for us. Not sure what morning is like.
Hi,
Early februari we are travelling to ruka to do some snowshoeing. We normally take our msr gas stove to make hot drinks during the day. Since we are arriving by plane we cannot bring gas cannisters from home. Is there a place in Ruka that sells small gas canisters for our stove?
Your help is much appreciated!
Joris
andrewpaul22
Llanelli, UK106 contributions
hi guys im staying at the ruka suites over xmas 2020 family of 3 i was wondering where i could book a christmas lunch on the 25th in the village to make it special as we have booked s/c
SamMould
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK186 contributions
I would agree that the best meal we had was the wild game but we had a close second place at Colorado. I couldn’t tell you if they are open Xmas day but they will be able to confirm if you call
_ddmanda
London, UK13 contributions
Does Ruka have good off-piste skiing/snowboarding?
Ruka Finland
Rukatunturi, Finland
Sorry for a slow answer. Ruka does have some spots for off-piste skiing/snowboarding but the runs are rather short and accessed by trekking only.
Markschultz S
Solihull, UK3 contributions
We are returning to Ruka on 22/12 for Xmas; can Xmas trees and decorations etc be bought there?
JanR_Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland162 contributions
There is a small supermarket at the Ruka resort village as well as several crafts shops. They will surely carry some decorations, but if you can't find what you like there, there are bigger shops in Kuusamo town. Depending o where you will be staying it might be possible to get a real tree for your accommodation, if you want one ask your accommodation provider.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
TheBooms
England48 contributions
Looking at visiting Ruka area in July.
Could anyone please tell me where the closest airport is that offers direct flights from the UK?
It looks like Rovanemi's direct flights are only for the winter...
I didn't know if flying to anywhere in Russia and crossing the border would be closer than flying into Helsinki?
Thank you in advance
JanR_Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland162 contributions
Flying via Russia is not a good option. Crossing the border is slow, and you would need a visa for Russia. I don't know what flights there would be but getting to the Finnish side would be tedious.
There are bus connections from Rovaniemi and Oulu, if you don't want to drive. The roads are in ok condition and there's much less traffic than in the UK, but watch out for reindeer!
Frequently Asked Questions about Ruka
- Hotels near Ruka:
- (0.02 km) Ski-Inn RukaSuites
- (0.04 km) Ruka Suites
- (0.05 km) Ski-Inn RukaSuites
- (0.07 km) Ski-Inn Hotel RukaVillage
- (0.11 km) Scandic Rukahovi
- Restaurants near Ruka:
- (0.02 km) Subway
- (0.04 km) Classic Pizza Ruka
- (0.05 km) Stefan's Steakhouse Ruka
- (0.05 km) Hanki Baari
- (0.06 km) Colorado Mts. Bar & Grill Ruka
- Attractions near Ruka:
- (0.00 km) Shopping Center Kumpare
- (0.00 km) Riipisen Wild Game and Souvenier Shop
- (0.11 km) Outdoor Passion Finland
- (0.12 km) Tailored Adventures Rukapalvelu Ltd
- (0.17 km) MyTrail