As someone who loves reading reviews and gathering tips, I thought it was time to share our own experience of our amazing trip to Ruka. Buckle up – it’s a long one! Our group consisted of myself, my two boys (aged 6 and 4), and my parents. For context, my eldest has ADHD, and my youngest has sensory aversion, which I mention as it might help other families with similar needs. We booked a Boxing Day 2023 holiday through Phoenix Rising Travel, and it was a fantastic 7-day adventure that cost £3,287 for all five of us. This included flights from Manchester, self-catering accommodation in two 2-bedroom apartments at Ruka Suites, luggage, and pre-booked seats. We even got one free child place! The holiday went perfectly from start to finish, and we’re already pricing up a return trip – we wouldn’t change a thing!
*What We Packed* Like everyone warned, we overpacked! My boys and I ended up wearing the same layers most of the week: Decathlon base layers, Primark leggings, fleece or jogging bottoms, wool jumpers, fleece tops, and bed socks with Mountain Warehouse boots. The boys wore a Decathlon 2-piece snowsuit, which was fantastic because it zipped together to keep snow out, but could easily be unzipped for bathroom breaks or when we were indoors. I wore a Superdry all-in-one snowsuit that I grabbed from Marketplace. One note on warmth: I have Reynaud’s, and my kids often complain about the cold, but they only felt cold one day – when it was -20°C, and we’d been on snowmobiles for 25 minutes! We used Amazon fleece balaclavas for activities like huskies and snow racers, and the mittens and hats we had from Decathlon and Mountain Warehouse worked perfectly.
*The Journey* Our flight was on January 7th at 7:35 am. The check-in process was smooth, and we used the sunflower lanyard for my son’s first time, which helped with the boarding process. We boarded last to reduce his time on the plane, and it worked well. The transfer to Ruka took about 25 minutes, and we were dropped off at a bus stop that we later used for all our activity pickups and the ski bus.
*Ruka Suites Accommodation* I had been a bit nervous as some people said the suites were dated, but for us, they were perfect. We had plenty of space, the rooms were spotlessly clean, and the kitchen was well-equipped. There was even a drying cupboard, a powerful shower, and a sauna! The best part? You could reach the supermarket, souvenir shops, a small play area, a bowling alley, Subway, and a pizza restaurant without going outside – a huge bonus when you didn’t want to layer up in all your ski gear again! Everything was within a 5-minute walk, from the ice slide and gondola to restaurants and the bus stop.
*Our Activities* -
*Day 2: Lammintupa Winter Village Ruka* We had the best time here with a combined safari. We got to mush the huskies (their insurance covered this), fed young reindeer, went on a sleigh ride, and had a thrilling 5km husky ride. My boys also had a blast riding the kids' snowmobiles. The only downside was that they advertised puppy petting, but we didn’t get to participate as it was only available for a shorter ride. We took the ski bus, which was easy to use and aligned perfectly with our activity schedule. -
*Day 3: Sledging & Rosa and Rudolf* We went sledging near the frozen lake, then took the gondola to Rosa and Rudolf, where my boys loved snow tubing! We also roasted marshmallows and sausages in the hut – a perfect cozy moment after our winter fun. -
*Day 4: Angry Birds Play Area, Kuusamo* We visited this play area but found the bus timings weren’t ideal. We arrived way too early as it didn’t open until 2 pm, so we spent some time sledging and relaxing in the hotel reception. While my 4-year-old loved it, it was more of a soft play area for kids aged 4 to 8. That evening, my eldest and I tried snow racers. They were fast and exhilarating, perfect for my adrenaline-loving 6-year-old! -
*Day 5: Santa’s Secret Cottage* The highlight of our trip! Pohjolan Pirtti & Kievari’s Santa’s Secret Cottage was magical. After sledging with elves, we gathered in a hut for hot berry juice and sausages, then met Santa and Mrs. Claus. We made gingerbread and buns with the elves and even left letters on the noticeboard, which made the boys feel like they were in a fairy tale. -
*Day 6: More Husky Fun* We wanted another husky adventure, so we went to Erä-Susi Huskies. They had 11-week and 10-month-old puppies, and my boys were thrilled to fuss them through their kennels. Later, we had a private snowmobile experience for my eldest, which he loved! -
*Day 7: Ski Lessons* I booked private ski lessons for myself and the boys. Though my youngest had a meltdown and couldn’t participate, my eldest and I enjoyed it, and we’re keen to try skiing again in the future. We spent the rest of the day bowling, a warm and relaxing activity.
*Final Thoughts* I cannot recommend Ruka highly enough! Our trip, including food, shopping, souvenirs, and excursions, came to around £6,000 for all five of us, and we did a LOT. Finland’s prices weren’t much higher than in England – most meals for the five of us came to around €100. We ate at Piste, R U OK Burger, the pizza place in our complex, and Colorado – all lovely and child-friendly. Overall, it was a truly magical experience that I would repeat in a heartbeat.
If you’re considering a family holiday to Ruka, feel free to reach out for more details or to plan your own adventure with *Phoenix Rising Travel*! --- *FULLY PTS & ATOL PROTECTED* *TO BOOK OR FOR FURTHER PRICES OR DETAILS:* *Message:* Pop me a message on Facebook/Instagram *Call:* 07825834322 *Email:* INFO@PhoenixRisingTravel.co.uk Prices are correct at the time of quoting and are subject to normal market fluctuations until booking.
Add comment
Comments