Arctic Lines Episode 5: Ruka - The Finnish Columbia Traverse

Episode 5 is here. Time to reveal first one for the special category.

like to call Ruka ski area and it’s fells close by my second home. This is an area where I spent a lot of time during early winter, especially when snow conditions are still very shallow. But why is this area a special one? Well it's simple, from my experience it seems that Ruka gets susbstantial amount of snow that stays high quality for a very long time comparing to many other places in northern Finland. For a Finnish freerider powder days are not guaranteed, they are rather rare occasion but in Ruka, you are almost always guaranteed to score. so when the biggest snow fall of the season was approaching it was time to get after it and to attempt few new forest runs that I’d always wanted to try but due to my travels always missed out the conditions. I was super happy to have Paralympic champion Matti Suur-Hamari to join for this adventure. Enjoy!

ABOUT
RUKA: THE FINNISH COLUMBIA TRAVERSE

Ruka is not the biggest place for freeriding. The highest point, Valtavaara Fell, is only 452 meters above sea level. But what this area lacks in height, there is one thing that makes it very special. And that is SNOW. Even during a low tide year like this, Ruka’s beautiful and steep forests can offer great riding.

Distance for the traverse is approximately 10km but don’t be fooled by it’s rather short length. I recommended to take into consideration that because of the steep angle of the slopes the ascents might take a longer time.

Route starts at Saarua parking lot at Ruka Ski Resort. heads towards Valtavaara and continues all the way to Konttainen, the steepest fell in the area. There is multiple good forest runs to choose from but finding them from the top is not easy. Having a local with an experience is recommended to maximize the experience in these short but rather steep runs.

Ruka:
Start from the parking and take the winter trail towards Valtavaara. This trail ultimately takes you to the top of the fells where you can travel all the way to Valtavaara. Alternative route is to go from the backside through the trees and enjoy the vast forests.

Valtavaara:
At Valtavaara have a snack in the day cabin. You can not stay overnight. It’s made for a short visits only. You can drop into some nice tree runs just from the west of the cabin. If you decide to go towards the northwest then it’s highly recommended to check the small convex roll before descending. This spot collects a lot of snow and has avalanches every year. Descent all the way to swamp from where you can change easily back to skinning.

Second Run:
There is multiple runs to choose from but one that is really good is located close to Surmanoro gully. This run has some good open spaces in the middle of the slope. The slope also needs stable conditions because the rather smooth rock surface doesn’t pond with snow the best. Especially if there is facets in the snowpack.
Descent all the way to Pihlajalampi from where you can either travel towards Konttainen on flat or tour up for another forest run in Valtavaara area. Remember, Konttainen is the most challenging point so leave enough time to do it with good energy.

Konttainen:
The steepest fell in the area. West ridge of Konttainen has some sections that are close 50 degrees. This is also the most inviting point to explore. Take care here. It is very avalanche-prone terrain, especially towards the south and northwest. The ground is mostly moss and the rockl is very smooth. If there is a slide you will not avoid the trees at the bottom and the outcome won’t be good. The safest way down is in trees towards the south.

Once at the bottom. Walk on the road our skin up to Konttainen parking lot where you hopefully have someone to pick you up or your own car waiting.