Christmas Eve in the Silent Forest

Christmas Eve is a time to slow down.

On 24 December, we leave Ruka at 11:00 and travel to the snowy forests of Pyhävaara for a peaceful three-hour Christmas Eve snowshoe adventure.

Around Christmas, the days are short in Kuusamo. We spend part of those few daylight hours outside, walking approximately 3 kilometres on snowshoes through the quiet winter forest.

There is no summit to reach and no need to hurry.

We walk at a relaxed pace, stop for warm Finnish glögi and gingerbread cookies, and share a small Finnish Christmas tradition.

We bring a Christmas greeting to Metsän väki – the folk of the forest.

After approximately three hours, we return to Ruka and Kuusamo, leaving plenty of time for Christmas dinner and the rest of Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve in the Finnish Forest

Christmas Eve in Finland is a day for slowing down.

At Pyhävaara, we leave roads and buildings behind and enter a landscape of snow-covered trees and winter silence.

We are not trying to cover a certain distance quickly or reach a summit. Instead, we take our time.

We snowshoe, stop, listen and enjoy being outside before returning for the celebrations of Christmas Eve.

Metsän väki – The Folk of the Forest

The Finnish relationship with the forest has a long history.

In old Finnish tradition, the forest was not considered an empty place. It had its own inhabitants and its own presence.

Metsän väki is an old Finnish expression for the folk of the forest. On Christmas Eve, we bring a small Christmas greeting for Metsän väki. It is an old gesture of respect for the forest and a small connection to a Finnish way of seeing nature.

Glögi & Gingerbread in the Forest

During our snowshoe adventure, we stop for warm glögi and gingerbread cookies.

Finnish glögi is a traditional Christmas drink, often made with berry juice and warming Christmas spices. Our non-alcoholic glögi is served hot with piparkakut – Finnish gingerbread cookies – a very typical Finnish Christmas combination.

We enjoy them together during a quiet stop in the winter forest before continuing our journey.

Experience Highlights

• Spend Christmas Eve in the snowy forests of Pyhävaara

• Experience the quiet side of Christmas in Ruka-Kuusamo

• Snowshoe approximately 3 km through natural winter terrain

• Discover Metsän väki – the folk of the forest

• Take part in a small Finnish Christmas tradition

• Enjoy warm Finnish glögi and gingerbread cookies

• Small group with a professional local nature guide

• Pick-up and drop-off from Ruka and Kuusamo centre

At a Glance

Date: 24 December
Start: 11:00
Duration: approximately 3 hours, including transportation from Ruka (add 1 hour if you come from Kuusamo)
Snowshoeing distance: approximately 3 km
Location: Pyhävaara, Ruka-Kuusamo
Pick-up: Ruka area and Kuusamo centre
Group size: 2–8 participants
Minimum age: 12 years
Difficulty: Easy
Languages: English and Finnish

What's Included

• Professional local nature guide

• Pick-up and drop-off from the Ruka area and Kuusamo centre

• Transportation to and from Pyhävaara

• Snowshoes and poles

• Warm non-alcoholic Finnish glögi

• Gingerbread cookies

• A small Christmas greeting for Metsän väki

Pick-up Only

Transportation is part of this experience.

We pick up guests from the Ruka area and Kuusamo centre. Please provide the name and address of your accommodation when booking so that we can arrange the pick-up time. It takes about 30min from Kuusamo to Ruka.

If you would like to travel to Pyhävaara with your own car, please contact us before booking.

Is This Experience Suitable for Me?

Previous snowshoeing experience is not required. Your guide will show you how to use the equipment before we start.

We snowshoe approximately 3 kilometres through natural winter terrain at a relaxed pace.

Soft or deep snow can sometimes make snowshoeing more demanding than walking on a prepared path, but there is no need to hurry and we make stops along the way.

The minimum age is 12 years.

What Should I Wear?

Warm winter clothing is essential.

We recommend several warm layers, insulated winter boots, warm gloves or mittens and a winter hat.

Snowshoes and poles are provided.

Need Winter Clothing?

Winter clothing and boots are not included.

If you do not have suitable clothing for Finnish winter conditions, winter clothing can be rented separately.

Book Christmas Eve in the Silent Forest

24 December | Pyhävaara, Ruka-Kuusamo

Spend part of Christmas Eve in the quiet winter forest with snowshoes, warm glögi, gingerbread cookies and a small Finnish Christmas tradition.

Small group, maximum 8 participants.

Book your Christmas Eve snowshoe adventure below.

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