Sunrise or Sunset in Riisitunturi
Private Snowshoeing Experience
Quick info
Location: Riisitunturi National Park, Lapland
Duration: about 4 h incl. transfers (2.5-3 h in the park)
Distance: 4-5 km
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Group size: Private group 1-8, guaranteed departure
Min. age: 6 (recommended)
Languages: English & Finnish
Price: from EUR 360 for 2 persons
Includes: Guide, snowshoes and poles or ice grips, headlamps when needed, hot wild berry juice, transfers
Pick-up: Ruka area and Kuusamo centre, or meet at the trailhead
Discover Riisitunturi at Your Own Pace
Discover snowy forests and open fell views with your own local guide. This private experience is ideal for a shorter winter outing, with time to reach the summit, pause for photographs and enjoy a hot drink.
Allow approximately 4 hours including return transfers from Ruka, with 2.5 hours in Riisitunturi National Park and around 4 kilometres of walking. Your guide chooses the route and equipment according to the conditions and your group. No previous snowshoeing experience is needed.
Choose sunrise, winter daylight, sunset or blue hour—or ask us which moment would suit you best. Clear skies and colourful sunsets cannot be promised; changing weather is part of the experience.
Quick facts: from €360 for 2 persons. Private group of 1–8, guaranteed departure. Duration: about 4 h including transfers (2.5 h in the park). Min. age 6 (recommended). Flexible start time. 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.
Choose Your Moment and Light
Discover Riisitunturi on a shorter private visit around its summit, snow-covered spruce trees and open fell landscapes. The planned route reaches the summit without needing a full day outdoors. We take time for photographs, admiring the view and warm wild berry juice.
The flexible departure time also gives you the opportunity to experience Riisitunturi at different times of the winter day.
You may prefer the soft colours of sunrise, low winter daylight, sunset or blue hour. Photographers can plan the tour around the light, while others may simply choose the departure time that fits best into their holiday.
Winter weather and light can never be guaranteed, but we plan the timing and route to make the best of the conditions of the day. It takes about 20-40min from the parking lot to reach the summit.
Suitable:
Couples, families with small children, first-time visitors and guests who want summit scenery without a full day outdoors.
Tour details:
Total duration: approximately 4 hours including return transfers.
Time in the national park: 2,5-3 hours
Walking distance: approximately 4-5 km
Group: private, 1–8 guests
Minimum age: 6 years
Difficulty: easy to moderate, depending on snow conditions.
Includes: Local nature guide; Snowshoes and poles, or ice grips when appropriate; headlamps when needed; return transfers; guided introduction to the equipment; hot wild berry juice
Transfers: Return transfers are included from accommodation within 5 km of Ruka Village or Kuusamo town centre, including Kuusamo Airport. Please give your accommodation address when booking. We confirm your pickup time separately. Travel times depend on the pickup location and winter road conditions.
Nature sets the rules: The light, snow and weather change from day to day. Clear skies, colourful sunrises or sunsets, snow-laden trees, visible stars, moonlight and Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed.
Short Visit with Private Guide
Experience the winter landscapes of Riisitunturi National Park with your own private guide , with your own pace.
This 2.5-hour private experience is a good choice if you prefer a shorter and more relaxed visit, are trying snowshoeing for the first time or simply want to enjoy Riisitunturi's snow-covered forests and open fell views without covering a long distance.
We usually explore approximately 4-5 kilometres. That is enough to reach some of Riisitunturi's characteristic winter landscapes while leaving time to stop, take photographs, enjoy a hot drink and simply look around. If you want to stay longer, ask for full-day tours or night tours.
At the beginning of the tour, we talk about what you would like from the experience and consider the weather, temperature, snow conditions and how the group feels. From there, your guide chooses a suitable route and pace.
Depending on the conditions, we may use snowshoes, walk in winter boots or use ice grips. Snowshoes are useful in soft and deep snow, but they are not always necessary on a firm winter trail.
If you are unsure about snowshoeing, this shorter private experience is a comfortable way to discover Riisitunturi. We take our time, and the route can be adjusted along the way if needed. No previous snowshoeing experience is required.
Would You Like to Stay Longer or Go Further?
This experience is intentionally simple, with a hot drink along the way. This leaves more time for exploring Riisitunturi and makes the tour easy to fit into your day. If you would like more time in the landscape and a campfire moment, choose longer adventure. For active families, photographers, hikers and those who want to discover more of Riisitunturi, our longer Riisitunturi Adventure gives us 4,5-5 hours in the national park and the possibility to explore up to approximately 10 kilometres. With more time, we can leave the most visited areas behind and explore quieter forests and less-visited parts of Riisitunturi and have a nice campfire break.
What to Bring:
Warm winter clothing, sturdy boots, and your camera—because the colors of Riisitunturi’s sunrise and sunset are simply breathtaking. You can rent winter clothing set from here.
Contact MyTrail: +358 50 5606 633 | guide@mytrail.fi
This experience is created by MyTrail Finland (MunPolku in Finnish). Explore more of our adventures at mytrail.fi
FAQ:
What should I bring? Wear layered winter clothing, insulated winter boots, a warm hat and mittens. Bring an extra warm layer for stops, a small backpack and drinking water. No previous snowshoeing experience is required. You should be comfortable walking uphill and downhill in winter terrain. Tell us about mobility concerns, allergies and dietary requirements before booking. Winter clothing and boots can be rented separately in advance. See https://www.mytrailfinland.com/winter-clothing-guide.
What is included? Local Finnish nature guide; Snowshoes and poles, or ice grips when appropriate; headlamps when needed; return transfers within the stated pickup area; guided introduction to the equipment; private guide and private transfers; hot wild berry juice
What affects the experience? The light, snow and weather change from day to day. Clear skies, colourful sunrises or sunsets, snow-laden trees, visible stars, moonlight and Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed. Your guide adapts the route and pace to the conditions and the group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the private tour suitable for children?
Yes. The private Riisitunturi tour suits families too (we recommend a minimum age of 6). We can bring a sled (pulkka) that parents can use to pull children if they get tired. In cold weather, always plan carefully with children: in severe frost we cannot stay outside for very long, so we adjust the route and the length of the tour together with you.
Do I need snowshoeing experience?
No. Snowshoeing is easy to learn and we set the pace around you. Walking in deep snow can be more demanding than ordinary hiking, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended.
What equipment is provided?
We provide snowshoes or ice grips (slip guards), depending on the route, and poles.
What should I wear?
Warm layers, a windproof outer layer, winter boots, a hat and gloves. If you need winter clothing, see our Rent Winter Clothing page. You can also read our winter clothing guide.
Where do you pick us up?
In the Ruka area (up to 5 km from Ruka Valley and Ruka Village) and in Kuusamo centre, or you can meet us at the trailhead.
What snacks do you serve? Can you take special diets into account?
We serve warm wild berry juice and trail snacks, and our food always features plenty of local ingredients and northern flavours. Special diets are no problem: please tell us at least 3 days in advance.
Can I change my date?
Yes. Date changes are free when requested more than 7 days before the tour, subject to availability.