Once a year, the journey into darkness reaches its turning point.

We snowshoe into the night at Riisitunturi and experience the winter solstice in the quiet, snow-covered forest. At the moment of the solstice, we stop, switch off our headlamps and raise a cup of hot chocolate to the longest night – and to the gradual return of light.

In the heart of winter, an entire Arctic day can fit into one snowshoe adventure.

We begin in the blue light before sunrise and follow the changing winter light through Riisitunturi's snow-covered forests and fell landscapes. Around Christmas, less than three hours separate sunrise and sunset – allowing us to follow the short day from blue to light and back to blue again.

Spend the last daylight hours of the year outside.

We climb Valtavaara on snowshoes as the short Arctic day slowly fades towards blue hour and darkness. At the end of the year, we stop high above the snowy forests for a quiet moment before returning to Ruka and the evening's celebrations.

Leave the lights and bustle of Ruka behind and spend Christmas Eve in the silence of the snow-covered forest.

We walk slowly, stop for warm glögi and bring a small Christmas greeting to Metsän väki – the folk of the forest. A peaceful Finnish Christmas tradition and a moment to slow down before Christmas Eve begins.

Leave the lights of Ruka behind and step into the Arctic night on snowshoes.

Deep in the winter forest, we switch off our headlamps, let our eyes adjust and listen to the darkness around us. On clear nights, stars appear above the forest – and if the Northern Lights happen to join us, we stop and enjoy them too.

Start the first morning of the year before daylight and climb on snowshoes through the snowy forests of Valtavaara.

As darkness slowly turns into the blue light of the Arctic morning, we make our way towards the summit. At the top, we raise a glass of alcohol-free sparkling spruce shoot drink to the new year before continuing to a warm breakfast by the fire.