Starry Sky Stories

Snowshoe into the Arctic Night

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

​Quick facts: €90 per adult, €40 per child. Small group, minimum 2 persons. Duration: about 2 h. Min. age 6. Distance about 2 km at Konttainen. Pick-up: Ruka area (max 5 km from Ruka Valley and Ruka Village) and Kuusamo centre, or meet us at the trailhead. Book now below.

At Konttainen, the forest becomes a different place after dark.

Our headlamps illuminate the snow-covered trees and the path ahead, while beyond their beams lies the natural darkness of the Arctic winter.

We walk at a relaxed pace through the forest, listen to the quiet around us and find a place away from artificial light.

Then we switch off our headlamps.

And wait.

Let Your Eyes Adjust to the Darkness

Natural darkness is something many of us rarely experience.

When the headlamps first go out, the forest may seem almost completely dark.

But our eyes begin to adjust.

Little by little, the shapes of trees return. Snow reflects faint light from the sky. On a clear night, more and more stars become visible above the forest.

There is no need to fill the silence.

For a while, we simply stand in the winter night and let our eyes and ears adjust to the surroundings.

Stories Under the Northern Sky

People have looked to the stars for thousands of years.

They have used them to find direction, mark the seasons and tell stories about the world around them.

During our adventure, your guide helps you find some of the familiar features of the northern sky and shares stories connected to stars and constellations.

Depending on the sky, we may look for the North Star, familiar constellations and other features visible that evening.

You do not need any previous knowledge of astronomy.

This is not an astronomy lecture. The stories simply give us another reason to slow down, look up and spend some time under the northern sky.

A Quiet Break in the Winter Forest

During the adventure, we stop for hot wild berry juice.

We sit on reindeer hides and spend some time enjoying the surroundings before continuing our journey through the forest.

Sometimes the sky is filled with stars.

Sometimes clouds or falling snow hide them completely.

Both belong to winter in the north.

And What About the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are possible, but they are not the main purpose of this experience.

Auroras are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed.

If they appear during our adventure, we will stop to enjoy the show in the Arctic sky – there is no need to hurry.

The experience may therefore last a little longer when the Northern Lights join us.

If they do not appear, nothing is missing.

Starry Sky Stories is about the Arctic night itself: the forest, natural darkness, stars when the sky is clear, and the stories we share along the way.

Experience Highlights

• Explore the winter forest at Konttainen after dark

• Snowshoe away from the lights of Ruka

• Switch off your headlamp and experience natural darkness

• Give your eyes time to adjust to the Arctic night

• Look for stars and constellations when the sky is clear

• Hear stories connected to the northern night sky

• Enjoy hot wild berry juice during a quiet forest stop

• Experience the possibility of Northern Lights without turning the evening into an aurora hunt

• Small group with a professional local nature guide

At a Glance

Duration: approximately 2 hours
Snowshoeing distance: approximately 2 km
Location: Konttainen, Ruka-Kuusamo
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Group size: 2–8 participants

Minimum age: 6 years
Languages: English and Finnish

If the Northern Lights appear during our adventure, we will take time to enjoy them, so the experience may last a little longer.

The Evening

We begin near Konttainen, away from the brighter lights of Ruka Village.

After fitting our snowshoes and headlamps and going through a short introduction, we head into the forest.

The route is approximately 2 kilometres and takes us through natural winter terrain.

We walk at a relaxed pace and make stops along the way.

Once we reach a suitable place away from artificial light, we switch off our headlamps and allow our eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Depending on the weather, we may see stars and constellations above the forest. Your guide shares stories of the northern sky and helps you notice what is visible that particular evening.

We also stop for hot wild berry juice before continuing our journey through the night.

The exact route and pace depend on the snow, weather and group.

What's Included

• Professional local nature guide

• Snowshoes and poles

• Headlamp

• Hot wild berry juice

• Reindeer hide to sit on during the break

• Stories about the northern night sky

Is This Experience Suitable for Me?

Previous snowshoeing experience is not required.

Your guide will show you how to use the snowshoes and poles before we start.

The route is approximately 2 kilometres and we walk at a relaxed pace. However, snowshoeing takes place in natural winter terrain, and soft or deep snow can make walking more demanding than on a prepared path.

Participants should also be comfortable walking through a dark forest with a headlamp.

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.

Because we stop during the experience to look at the sky and enjoy our hot drink, it is important to dress warmly enough for periods when we are not moving.

Snowshoes, poles and a headlamp are provided.

Need Winter Clothing?

Winter clothing and boots are not included.

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

Winter Weather Is Part of the Experience

A clear night sky cannot be guaranteed.

Clouds, snowfall, wind and changing temperatures are normal parts of winter in Ruka-Kuusamo.

Your guide follows the conditions and adapts the route when necessary.

Even when clouds hide the stars, we can still experience the darkness and silence of the winter forest.

Book Starry Sky Stories

Snowshoe into the Arctic Night at Konttainen

Leave the lights of Ruka behind for an evening of snowshoes, darkness, stars and stories in the winter forest.

And if the Northern Lights happen to appear, we have time to stop and watch.

Book your Starry Sky Stories adventure below.

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