Ruka | Starting from Santa Claus Village, falling in love with Finland's white hills
Ruka
We initially thought staying at Santa Claus Village would be enough to make the most of our trip to Rovaniemi, Finland. However, since we went at the end of March, many winter activities were already limited. So, we decided to hire a car to the renowned Ruka ski resort near Rovaniemi for a truly immersive snow experience. For skiing beginners like us, Ruka was much friendlier than we expected. Although finding a ski lesson registration location took some time at first, once the lessons started, the instructors were very clear, guiding us step-by-step through braking, left turns, and right turns, allowing even those of us who were initially afraid of falling to gradually get into the swing of things. Besides skiing, the sunset roller coaster at Ruka was a pleasant surprise. It wasn't scary at all; you can control the brakes yourself, but the mountain scenery along the way was absolutely breathtaking. If you have enough time, you can stay overnight at the ski resort to fully experience the charm of the Finnish snow country.
Since there are relatively few things to do at Santa Claus Village in March, we opted to hire a car to go to Ruka Ski Resort. Ruka is a well-known ski area in northern Finland, and the atmosphere there is quite different from Santa Claus Village; it feels more like a real snow resort. Along the way, we saw a lot of snow, forests, and open roads, which was very beautiful on a good day, but it also gave us a sense of the remoteness of a Nordic winter. If you're not familiar with the local transportation, hiring a car is more convenient and allows you to better manage your time.
Beginners don't need to be afraid; just go to the Family Park and find the ski lesson registration area.
Upon arriving in Ruka, since we were all beginners, the first thing we wanted to do was find an instructor. However, we spent quite a while looking for a place to sign up for lessons. So, here's a tip: if you want an instructor, just go to the Family Park. There are many lesson slots available, so don't worry too much. Our lesson was about two hours long. The instructor started with very basic movements, including how to brake, how to turn left, and how to turn right. For complete beginners, these basics are really important because at least after learning, you'll know how to control yourself instead of just rushing downhill. I thought the instructor taught very well, and it's very suitable for first-time skiers. If you're a beginner like me, I would definitely recommend paying for lessons; otherwise, figuring things out on your own can be quite stressful and you're more likely to waste time.
Skiing expenses sharing
The three of us took ski lessons together. Since the tuition was calculated as a total price, it was more cost-effective to split the cost among more people. In the end, the ski equipment and instructor fees came to €59.67 per person, plus a €14 Family Park entrance fee. For skiing, I think the price is quite acceptable, considering it includes equipment and an instructor, and the instructor really taught the basic techniques, not just gave us a simple pointer.
Ruka Sunset Rollercoaster
After skiing, we didn't have much time, so we didn't plan much more skiing. Instead, we went to ride Ruka's famous sunset roller coaster. If you have a Ski Pass, you can buy tickets on-site for a 50% discount; otherwise, the original price is €19 per ride. I initially thought it would be a bit thrilling, but when I actually rode it, I found it wasn't scary at all because you can control the brakes yourself and adjust the speed according to your own tolerance. But the most worthwhile part isn't the thrill, but the scenery. As you ride down the roller coaster, you're surrounded by snow-covered fields, mountains, and the distant sky—the view is absolutely breathtaking.
Since there are relatively few things to do at Santa Claus Village in March, we opted to hire a car to go to Ruka Ski Resort. Ruka is a well-known ski area in northern Finland, and the atmosphere there is quite different from Santa Claus Village; it feels more like a real snow resort. Along the way, we saw a lot of snow, forests, and open roads, which was very beautiful on a good day, but it also gave us a sense of the remoteness of a Nordic winter. If you're not familiar with the local transportation, hiring a car is more convenient and allows you to better manage your time.
Beginners don't need to be afraid; just go to the Family Park and find the ski lesson registration area.
Upon arriving in Ruka, since we were all beginners, the first thing we wanted to do was find an instructor. However, we spent quite a while looking for a place to sign up for lessons. So, here's a tip: if you want an instructor, just go to the Family Park. There are many lesson slots available, so don't worry too much. Our lesson was about two hours long. The instructor started with very basic movements, including how to brake, how to turn left, and how to turn right. For complete beginners, these basics are really important because at least after learning, you'll know how to control yourself instead of just rushing downhill. I thought the instructor taught very well, and it's very suitable for first-time skiers. If you're a beginner like me, I would definitely recommend paying for lessons; otherwise, figuring things out on your own can be quite stressful and you're more likely to waste time.
Skiing expenses sharing
The three of us took ski lessons together. Since the tuition was calculated as a total price, it was more cost-effective to split the cost among more people. In the end, the ski equipment and instructor fees came to €59.67 per person, plus a €14 Family Park entrance fee. For skiing, I think the price is quite acceptable, considering it includes equipment and an instructor, and the instructor really taught the basic techniques, not just gave us a simple pointer.
Ruka Sunset Rollercoaster
After skiing, we didn't have much time, so we didn't plan much more skiing. Instead, we went to ride Ruka's famous sunset roller coaster. If you have a Ski Pass, you can buy tickets on-site for a 50% discount; otherwise, the original price is €19 per ride. I initially thought it would be a bit thrilling, but when I actually rode it, I found it wasn't scary at all because you can control the brakes yourself and adjust the speed according to your own tolerance. But the most worthwhile part isn't the thrill, but the scenery. As you ride down the roller coaster, you're surrounded by snow-covered fields, mountains, and the distant sky—the view is absolutely breathtaking.