Snow tribe ACTIVE SCANDIS
RUKA, LAPLAND
So what and where is it?
Ruka’s in the Kuusamo district of Finnish Lapland, about as far north as you can holiday before you bang your ski goggles on the Arctic Circle (37 miles away). In other words, you’re going to need your thermals, really good skiwear (a waterproof from H&M and two pairs of socks will not handle temperatures that can drop below -20°) and a balaclava.
OK, but why here specifically?
This is the stunning winter landscape of your Frozen-watching dreams. Seriously, when you wake up in the morning, it’s a magical white wilderness of untouched sparkling snow and pine trees so heavily blanketed they look like sculptures. And it offers the full spectrum of snow-related activities: husky sledding, ice fishing, reindeer rides, skidoos, snowshoe hikes – you can even carve a snowman from a block of ice with a saw if you fancy it (count us in). Also, Ruka’s a brilliant, affordable place to learn to ski, as travelators glide you effortlessly up the nursery slope – no falling off lifts or thigh-burning side-steps – plus it has one of the longest seasons anywhere (October to May). At night, the lack of light pollution means the sky’s filled with more stars than the Hollywood Hills and you may even spot the Northern Lights.
Who am I going to meet?
In bars like Colorado, you’ll find rosey-cheeked rosé-clutching millennials in hygge knitwear, while at restaurant Kontioluola (tuck into the reindeer stew – not bad if you can ignore the fact you’re eating Rudolph), everyone looks like they’ve stepped out of a winter-Olympics-themed catwalk show. There are also Björn Borg lookalikes in matching ski jackets and the occasional British family looking for Santa Claus – you can meet him and Mrs Claus year-round in a gingerbread-style cottage near the resort.
And where do I stay?
RukaSuites Ski-Inn apartments are at the heart of the action, clean, modern and self-catering; nip down to the supermarket beneath to stock up on essential breakfast supplies and glögi (Nordic mulled wine). Opposite is a brilliant snow playground where everyone goes late-night sledging and watches the weekly Wednesday firework display (particularly fun when combined with glögi).