Riisitunturi by Night –
Private Snowshoeing Tour
Riisitunturi after dark.
Experience Riisitunturi National Park after dark on a private winter tour planned around the northern sky.
At night, Riisitunturi becomes a different place. Snow-covered trees fade into shades of blue and white, the lights of towns are left behind and the sky becomes part of the landscape.
Depending on the date and conditions, the night may bring bright moonlight, a sky filled with stars, deep winter darkness or perhaps the Northern Lights.
We spend approximately three hours in Riisitunturi, moving through the winter landscape at a relaxed pace and stopping when there is something worth looking at. There is no need to cover a long distance – on this tour, looking up is just as important as moving forward.
Lie Back and Look Up
One of our favourite ways to experience a winter night is also one of the simplest.
We find a quiet place, spread reindeer hides on the snow and lie down on our backs to look at the sky. With a cup of hot chocolate in your hands and a Finnish cinnamon bun to enjoy, there is nowhere we need to hurry.
This is something we locals do too. When the night is clear, sometimes the best way to experience it is simply to stop, get comfortable and look up.
Depending on the night, there may be stars, moonlight, slowly moving clouds or perhaps the Northern Lights. We don't know in advance what the sky will give us – and that is part of the experience.
Reindeer hides, hot chocolate and Finnish cinnamon buns are included in the tour.
Around the Full Moon
For several nights each month, the moon becomes one of the highlights of the experience.
Around the full moon, moonlight reflects from the snow and can illuminate the fells, forests and snow-covered spruce trees. On a clear night, Riisitunturi can be surprisingly bright, with the landscape taking on soft shades of silver and blue.
There may even be moments when we don't need our headlamps.
The best moonlight is available only during a limited period each month. If experiencing Riisitunturi in the light of the moon is important to you, let us know. We can recommend suitable dates and departure times according to the phase and position of the moon.
Stars, Dark Skies and Northern Lights
During the darker phases of the moon, the night offers something different.
Away from artificial light, clear winter nights at Riisitunturi provide good conditions for stargazing. And if solar activity and weather conditions happen to come together, we may also see the Northern Lights above the fell.
This is not an aurora hunt, and the Northern Lights can never be guaranteed. They are a welcome addition to a night that is worth experiencing in its own right.
Sometimes the most interesting part of the night is simply the darkness, the stars and the outlines of snow-covered trees against the sky.
What Can We See During Your Visit?
The northern sky changes throughout the winter and throughout each month.
Moonrise and moonset change from day to day. Around the full moon, the snowy landscape can be illuminated by moonlight, while darker nights are better suited to stargazing. The length of twilight also changes considerably between early winter and spring.
If the sky is particularly important to you, ask your guide before booking.
Tell us your travel dates and what you would most like to experience – full moon, stars, Northern Lights, blue hour, night photography or simply Riisitunturi after dark. We can help you choose a suitable date and departure time.
A Flexible Night Tour
Because the sky is the heart of this experience, clear enough conditions matter.
If Riisitunturi is forecast to be cloudy and the sky is unlikely to be visible, we can move your tour to another available time or date.
If rescheduling is not possible during your stay, you can receive a full refund.
Northern weather can change quickly and forecasts are never perfect. The final decision is therefore made as close to the tour as reasonably possible, based on the latest weather conditions and forecasts.
The moon, stars and Northern Lights are natural phenomena and cannot be guaranteed.
Exploring Riisitunturi at Night
We usually explore approximately 4–5 kilometres during the evening.
There is no fixed route. Your guide chooses the route according to the snow, visibility, sky conditions and your wishes.
Depending on the conditions, we may use snowshoes, winter boots or ice grips. Headlamps are always carried with us, although on bright moonlit nights you may be surprised by how little artificial light is needed.
No previous snowshoeing experience is required.
Tour Details
Location: Riisitunturi National Park, Posio, Finnish Lapland
Time in Riisitunturi: Approximately 3 hours
Total duration: Approximately 4.5 hours including transfers
Distance: Approximately 4–5 km
Group size: Private group of 1–8 persons
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on snow conditions
Departure: Evening or night, with flexible timing
Transfers: Approximately 45 minutes each way from Ruka-Kuusamo
What's Included
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Private local nature guide
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Private transportation from Ruka area or Kuusamo center to Riisitunturi and back
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Snowshoes and poles when needed
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Ice grips when needed
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Headlamps
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Reindeer hides for our break on the snow
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Hot chocolate
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Finnish cinnamon buns
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Flexible route and departure time
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Planning according to the night sky and weather conditions
Add Something Special
If you would like to spend a little more time outdoors, you can add food and drink experiences to your private night:
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Campfire pancakes with cloudberry jam
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Korpihilla's Kuohuva Kuusenkerkkä non-alcoholic spruce tip sparkling drink for special occasions
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Rental winter clothing
Campfire options may extend the duration of the experience.
Best for: Moonlight walkers, Northern Lights hunters, stargazers and night owls.